A/N: this story has come to prove a big challenge for me. For those that have read my previous works, you know I'm an angst queen. I love to write angst, I love to make my characters suffer. This story however is completely different. What I felt helped me write the humor was watching the britcom "Coupling" which I absolutely love. The humor was contagious so the past few chapters has been a result of that. In this chapter, I faced another challenge: writing fluffy romance. I have never been in a relationship before, so I just try as best as I can to describe the feeling of the characters. I hope they aren't too farfetched warning, it may seems like things are taking a turn for the worse at the start of this chapter, but the end of this chapter will prove otherwise. This and the next chapter will finally make Harry wake up, which means, popping the question is indeed around the corner!

"This is your parent's beach house?" Harry asked in awe.

The house had large windows all around, which harry was sure gave a spectacular 360 view at the ocean. It was vast and futuristic looking, and looked like it was extremely expensive.

"Dentists make enough money to afford this?" Harry asked.

"Well…no, my granddad from my dad's side passed away recently." Hermione explained. "He loved to sail, so he left this house to my dad in a will."

"You never mentioned that to me." said Harry seriously. "How come?"

"Well I wasn't really close to him." Hermione shrugged. "I only saw him on special occasions."

"I'm sorry." Harry said.

"It's all right."

They walked up the white sandy slope towards the house. It was a house that was completely isolated. No neighbors, nothing but sand and ocean in front and a secluded road behind them.

"Why did your parents go back to England when they could've lived here?" said Harry looking around once they were inside.

"As much as they love it here, it's just not home." said Hermione.

The interior was decorated in a nautical theme. White, red, and blue were the prominent colors all around. There were pictures of sailboats as well as intricate wall art in the shape of anchors and steering wheels. On the mantel piece were pictures of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Granger with a small Hermione. Harry walked over and looked at the closer picture. Hermione appeared to be around age six, she was smiling and there were spaces were teeth had fallen out. Her two front teeth were cutely peeking out slightly. Her buck teeth. He knew she had gotten grief for it while in school, but he had always thought it was adorable. Even before he realized he had feelings for her.

"You were so cute." He said fondly smiling at the picture.

Hermione came over to look at the picture with him.

"That's only because you're seeing me through the love rose colored glasses." She said jokingly.

"I would've definitely fancied you if we had met at that age." Harry stated. "you were a cutie."

"Harry!" Hermione nudged him.

"I'm serious." Harry said genuinely.

"Aren't you sweet." She said pulling the picture out of his hand and placed them on her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I can't believe I'm going to have you all to myself for a whole week." He said looking down at her.

"Hmm…whatever shall we do with all that time on our hands?" Hermione asked coyly.

"I'm sure we can figure something out." said Harry cheekily as he planted a small kiss on her lips.

A loud rumbling noise made them look down. Hermione's stomach had just rumbled. They hadn't eaten since saying goodbye to Ron, Luna, and Skyelar almost six hours ago.

"I think it would be wise to go and get something to eat." said Harry laughing.

* * * * * *

Harry and Hermione sat down in a small quaint restaurant not far from the house. Instead of having view of the ocean, it was completely surrounded by the outback. They had just ordered their food and were discussing their friends and family.

"You know, Nigel was talking the other day about retirement." shared Harry nonchalantly.

"Really? But he's young!" said Hermione.

"The age of retirement is much younger in the Quidditch field." Harry explained. "And actually, it's not much about age but about being a father."

"He feels like Quidditch is interfering with time that could be spent with his son."

"Never thought anything could come between Nigel and Quidditch." Hermione sais outrageously. "Ever."

"Yeah well," Harry shrugged. "I suppose he just hadn't found a higher priority until now."

There food came in shortly and they heartily dug in. for the first time, it felt like they were back to the old selves they were when they met up at the café that now lay abandoned. Sometimes they wish they could go back to the casual life they had before they found out they harbored feelings for each other. However, as stressful as being in love was, they would not have traded that for the insecurity they had back in the days, wondering if they would ever be together.

"Hermione?" Harry started uneasily.

"Yeah?"

Harry knew it would probably not be the best idea to discuss his fears in the restaurant. Especially not with so many onlookers. Yet he didn't want the weight of it all dragging him down any further. It had to be cleared, and the sooner the better.

"I think it's time to tell you the real reason why I haven't asked you to marry me." He said nervously.

Hermione crossed her fork and knife neatly on her cleared plate. She had sensed it was coming. She was torn between wanting to know and not. She was certain he had to have a valid reason for making her wait when he clearly loved her as much as she did him. However, it didn't ease her mind at all that he had gone to Ron to talk instead of her.

"Harry, if you don't want to tell me, it's okay." She said softly.

"But I do." Harry said. "I don't want you thinking that it's for the reason of not wanting to be tied down."

Hermione looked at him in alarm.

"That night you were drunk, you let it slip that that was the direction in which your mind was thinking."

Hermione got flustered. She really had not had the intention of telling Harry that because she felt silly admitting that she still felt insecure.

"I'm sorry, I know it's silly to think that."

"Of course it's silly, do you honestly believe I'd want to be with anyone but you?" Harry asked. "It took me years to realize it. I don't want to go back to disastrous dates I used to go to. Not when I know what perfection is."

Hermione felt herself turn redder.

"You still consider it perfection even with all this …mess we've been in lately?" she asked in awe.

"Yes!" Harry exclaimed.

Hermione looked at Harry appreciatively.

"You must really love me to put up with all of this rubbish."

"You still doubt that?" Harry asked. "Of course I do."

"Anyway," he said pressing on. "I really do think you should know at least why I haven't…you know…"

"Popped the question?" she helped.

"Yeah." Harry nodded. "The truth is, I'm scared of failing."

"Failing?" Hermione repeated.

"I don't know the first thing about being married. What's to be expected of me, how to act…" Harry said difficulty.

"And I do?"

"Hermione, it's different. I mean I grew up not knowing what a real family is…" he continued. "You grew up with the perfect family, you already know what to expect. What If it's a disappointment? What if you resent me for making you wait forever and then being completely rubbish?"

"Harry-"

"No Hermione, let me finish." said Harry cutting her off. "It's pretty hard to be saying all this just now so…I just want to get it over with."

Hermione sat back and watched him intently.

"Look at us now. All these issues we've been having. What if it's all as sign? You want something, and I want to give it to you. But my fear is holding me back. How long before the weight of it all drags us down? Maybe I can't give you what you want...what you deserve."

"What are you trying say? That you want to end things because you're afraid we might end up hating each other?" Hermione asked tearfully. "That doesn't make any sense!"

"I don't want it to end. I love you. I love being with you." said Harry sincerely.

"Then what's the problem?!" Hermione demanded.

"If this is about the marriage…I give up. I don't care. I just want to be with you. I want all these problems to go away. I just want us to be all right again before this whole mess ever happened."

"That's my problem Hermione, don't you think I feel guilty that you're willing to give up something you want just because of me?" Harry retorted wearily.

"I don't want it if it means losing you." Hermione replied.

"You say that now, but you'll resent me. Eventually."

"Harry, I don't care about some stupid paper!" she cried. "If for all of this to go away, means I have to give up the thought of walking down an aisle." Hermione said shakily. "Then I'll do it."

"I don't deserve you." Harry said barely audible. "You're sacrificing everything for me…again."

Hermione reached forward to grab his hand on the table.

"That should be proof enough that I love you that much."

The talk had taken a different route than Harry had intended. He couldn't believe that he was actually contemplating ending things. Especially when the whole reason he was doing so was because he didn't want them to hate each other. It didn't make much sense. He had secretly hoped Hermione would fight it. Doing so made him realize just how lucky he truly was. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe this was the sign he needed to realize that there was no way he could make a mistake in getting married with her. He didn't want to say anything, especially not after the discussion they had had, but something inside him had change. For some reason beyond his comprehension, she thought he was worth giving up her most coveted dream for. How could he not be moved by that? Though the fear in him was still grand, Hermione had unwittingly shifted his decision. He would not say anything. Not yet. He didn't want to get her hopes up again by saying there was a certain possibility. In due time, he would confirm his decision and make her dream come true. She deserved it.

In the meantime. With everything out in the open, maybe now they could fully enjoy each other's company. No more walking on eggshells. This would be the perfect opportunity to rekindle the fire that had been threatening to extinguish. Together, they left the restaurant. The weather was not in their favour for the planned shore strolling, so instead they went to museums. As Hermione explained stuff to him, Harry wasn't really interested. He was too busy observing her, admiring her. After all the hell he'd been through early on in his life, he was being presented with the chance of finally getting what he had always yearned for: a family.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Hermione asked smiling at Harry.

"No reason." Harry shrugged.

"It's pretty late, we should get going." She said squeezing his hand.

"All right, let's go home."

* * * * * *

Harry and Hermione were sitting together looking at the window in front of them. There was a severe storm roaring outside, preventing them from doing any of the outside activities they had planned. Harry looked down at Hermione who was cross-legged on the couch reading a book. In a few days time, they would be forced to return to their busy life in London. He would be going back to his grueling Quidditch practices and matches. She would be returning to her stressful job as the head layer in her department. Realizing he didn't want to waste another minute sitting idly by, Harry got up and pulled Hermione along with him.

"Let's go."

Hermione looked at him bemusedly. "Go where exactly?"

"Outside." Harry said simply.

"Harry, we can't go out there!" said Hermione looking at Harry as if he was something from another planet.

"Why not?"

"It's raining." Hermione answered matter-of-factly.

"It's been raining for three straight days! We leave in two days and all we've done is go to museums and restaurants." Harry exclaimed.

"But it's dangerous! It's raining like mad. What if we get struck by lightning?"

"Bit unlikely don't you think?" said Harry laughing.

"We're wizards, we defy the unlikely." Hermione retorted.

"Exactly, thanks for helping make my point. Come on Hermione!" Harry pleaded.

"We'll get sick." said Hermione without much force. She was slowly giving in.

"Don't you trust me?"

"You know I do!" Hermione answered without hesitation.

"Then let's go!"

"All right." Hermione caved.

Harry pulled Hermione firmly outside into the pouring rain. Running down towards the ocean proved to be a difficult task. The rain had solidified the sand, making much harder to run efficiently through it. As he ran, Harry's foot got snagged in a hole, sending him flat on his face in the sand. Hermione shared the same fate. She landed roughly on his back, flattening him hard against the sand. He heard her laugh hysterically as she dragged herself off him. Once free of extra weight, Harry sat upright. He watched in delight as Hermione was in a fit. He knew his appearance was the cause of the laughter. His arms, legs, clothes and hair all had sand caked onto it. It was a miracle his glasses hadn't broken in the fall. He brushed out the sand from his eyes and hair as best he could, and spat the sand that had snuck in his mouth..

"Are you all right?" Harry asked breathlessly as he tried to stop his own laughter.

"Yes." said Hermione clutching a stitch at her side.

He sprung up from the sand and helped Hermione up.

"I can't believe I agreed to come out here with the weather like this." She laughed, still holding onto his hands.

"You can't deny I'm pretty persuasive when I want to be." said Harry suavely.

"Yeah, yeah." Hermione dismissed.

Harry didn't know why, but he was feeling extremely mischievous. Catching her off guard. He knelt down and hugged her behind her thighs pushing her up and making her shriek and cling forcefully at him around his neck. He twirled her around five times before he brought her back down.

"What's gotten into you?" she asked, as her arms remained crossed around his neck.

"I think I'm falling in love with you all over again." He said breathlessly. "Didn't think that could be possible but…"

Hermione silenced him with her lips crashing into his. Her hands roamed his hair as his stroked her back. It was quite possibly the most passionate kiss they had ever experienced to date. It was suffocating and demanding. Like the kiss between two lovers that hadn't seen each other for centuries. In a way, it was almost the same. The past month had been stressful enough to put a stress in their romantic expressions. It had been an entire month since she and Harry had kissed as intensely as they were. She felt lightheaded as Harry refused to pull away from her. She didn't know if it was the romance of the rain, or the fact that they had finally had the fortune to spend so much time alone together, but she really felt like she could've conjured the most powerful Patronus in that moment. The romance, the feeling of being lost in Harry, was riveting. She couldn't even think, logic escaped her. His kiss was powerful enough to make her forget where she was. She heard the rain, but the feeling of Harry's warm lips on her took over her sense of touch much more than that of the cold droplets falling on her skin. It wasn't until a thunderous rumble and the sense of burning in her lungs that she and Harry finally pulled away.

"Wow." Hermione breathed.

"I take it you feel the same then?" Harry asked eagerly.

Hermione could only nod. She still felt completely out of it. Breathless.

Another loud thunderclap followed. The thunder was no longer alone; it was now being accompanied by blinding flashes of lightening.

"It's getting pretty bad now." said Harry squinting through the rain. "I think we should go pick this up inside."

"Pick what up?" Hermione asked coyly.

"Don't pretend Granger, you know what's coming." said Harry impishly.

With a squeal, Hermione ran past Harry, only to be stopped by him forcefully, toppling them over to the sand once again. This time it was Harry who landed on top of her. There laughter came to an abrupt start when they realized how close they were. They had already been intimate together. Many times. However, over the past few weeks, the tension between them had amounted to so much that they had barely kissed as passionately as they had done just a few minutes ago. Let alone have made love to each other. Harry leaned in and kissed her again. It was different this time. Slower and more tender than they had previously done. Harry held his weight above her as she arched in towards him, yearning to feel closer to him. Aching to hear his heart beating fiercely against her own.. With a swift motion, Harry got up, bringing Hermione along with him in his arms. Never once breaking apart from the lips, they made their way back to the house. They were drenched from the cold rain, but they were oblivious to it. All that mattered was that for once, the importance of marriage was something that wasn't paramount. She loved him and he loved her. That's all that mattered. Leaving the roaring thunderclaps and blinding flashes of lightening in their wake, they went inside to pick up from where they had left off before the nuisance of marriage ever came to their life.

A/N: Mkay, so I might get mixed reviews on this. I wrote the end of the chapter before the beginning so the course it took at the start really took me by surprise. I hope it blended beautifully together though. The next chapter, Harry finally wakes up! Hint hint! Whatever could that mean? ;)