Harry glanced at his watch for the fifth time in the past hour. Training was almost over for the day, and that meant he would finally be able to go see Hermione. It was her birthday today, and he had gotten something that he knew she would appreciate. Plus it was a Hogsmeade weekend, so it meant that they could have the whole weekend together. She didn't know it, but he had gotten a room at the Three Broomsticks for the night, so that he could stay over. He didn't want to assume automatically that he could stay with her, especially since it was a surprise.

The last few minutes of practice slowly came to a close. Harry ran past everyone into the locker rooms, quickly jumping in the shower to rinse off the sweat. He wrapped his towel around his waist and stepped out, freezing when he saw his teammates staring at him.

"What?"

Oliver smirked. "You just seem extra excited to leave practice today. It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that it's a certain witch's birthday today, would it?"

Harry felt his face flush and started to stammer. "Oh. Well, uh. Actually, I am…Yes…" Oliver and Katie both grinned widely. "Don't tell anyone though, ok? Not a lot of people know yet. Not even the Weasley's. She wants to be there when we tell them."

They both nodded, their grins getting even wider. "No problem, Harry. Now go and get out of here."

He grinned back at them and hurriedly pulled on the clothes he had picked out for the night, some jeans and a green shirt, one that Hermione had mentioned was one of her favorites on him. He didn't even bother to fix his hair. A final glance at his watch told him that it was almost seven. He turned and ran to the nearest fireplace in the stadium and Floo'd to Hogsmeade.

He stepped out of the fireplace and into the Leaky Cauldron. It was packed. People were everywhere. A group of older students, who were allowed to stay out a bit later now that the war was over, were bent over their books, studying. He wiggled his way through the crowd, keeping an eye out for the bushy brown hair that belonged to his Hermione.

He finally spotted her hair up at the bar. He grinned and walked up behind her, gently placing his arm around her waist. "Happy birthday, beautiful." He watched as a smile spread across her face. Hermione jumped up and down excitedly before hugging him tightly.

"Harry! Oh Merlin, I missed you. How's your head? Are you hungry? You must still be sore from training. Let's go sit down." He chuckled and let her drag him over to a table in the corner.

"I'm fine, Hermione. My head is all better. I'm not as sore anymore. And I am famished." He sat down across from her, a huge smile on his face.

"I'm so happy you were able to come tonight, Harry. The past few weeks have been amazing and terrible at the same time. I've missed you." She reached across the table and held his hand tightly. "It's really weird being at Hogwarts without you and Ron causing trouble."

Harry pretended to look affronted. "We weren't the only ones who caused trouble. I remember a certain brown-haired witch who convinced us to take Polyjuice potion. The same witch even convinced me to start an illegal Defense club. You're quite a rule breaker yourself."

Hermione laughed and let go of his hand. "You guys were a bad influence on me."

Their conversation was interrupted as Rosmerta wandered over to take their orders. She bent over to give Harry a hug, going on and on about how he had saved her pub because it would surely have been destroyed during the war. Hermione stifled a giggle.

When they were finally alone again, as alone as they could be in the crowded pub, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the present he had gotten her. He placed them on the table and tapped them with his wand, returning them to a normal size.

"I got you a little something for you birthday. Go on and open in." Hermione grabbed the presents and slowly started pealing the paper off of the first one, revealing a box filled with books. "I know everyone always gets you books for presents, but I thought these would interest you. I found them in the Black library at Grimmauld Place. They are all about Ancient Runes and whatnot. They are pretty rare. I figured you could use them in your research and classes."

Hermione smiled and flipped through each one real quick. "Thanks, Harry. These are amazing! Is it alright if I browse the library sometime and borrow some books?"

Harry shook his head. "You don't have to borrow them, Hermione. Come over whenever you want and take whatever books you want. Keep them. What's mine is yours, Hermione. Besides, you know I don't read that much. They will just get all dusty on the shelves."

Hermione silence him by placing a soft kiss on his lips. He pouted slightly as she pulled away from him to return to her presents. He had been craving the feeling and taste of her lips for three weeks, and now she was teasing him with little kisses.

Hermione opened the second package and gasped. She reached in and pulled out a beautiful feather quill. "Is this what I think it is, Harry?" He nodded, eliciting another gasp from her mouth.

"Diction Quill. Not like those stupid Quik-Quote Quills Rita Skeeter uses. These right down only what is told to them. I figured you could use it for grading papers. Spare you from some carpal tunnel."

She smiled softly and very gently put it in her bag. "I really appreciate it, Harry. You didn't have to get me anything, you know. The best gift is having you here with me."

He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "I know, but I wanted to show you how much I appreciate you. There's one more present, by the way. It's kind of a selfish gift. More to my benefit than yours."

She raised an eyebrow at him, immediately curious. She tore open the present, not being as careful as she was with the other ones. Her face turned red as she pulled out Harry's Quidditch shirt.

"I wanted you to have it. Seeing you in it that one morning, Merlin, that was hot. I don't know why, but it looks amazing on you. Plus it lets other people know that you're mine."

Hermione's face flushed even more, smiling shyly. "I love it. I love all my gifts. Thank you, Harry."

They spent the rest of their dinner catching each other up with their lives. Hermione told him all about her students. She knew each of them very well, and considered herself more of a friend to the sixth and seventh year students. Harry, in turn, told her all about his training. How exhausting but rewarding it was. He wouldn't change it for anything. When they were done, Harry paid and they left to walk around the little village.

He held her hand lightly as they walked around in a comfortable silence. Neither one really knew where they were going. They just followed where their feet them. But then the clock chimed. It was nine, and everyone, even the professors, had to go in for the night. Hermione turned and looked up at Harry, staring at his emerald eyes.

"I don't want you to leave yet…"

Harry smiled, a little sheepishly, and squeezed her hand. "I um, actually have a room at the Three Broomsticks. I was going to stay there tonight and surprise you tomorrow. I figured I could help you with grading some of the tests or quizzes or something. I'd do anything if it meant I could hang out with you."

The smile on Hermione's face was breathtaking. Her eyes lit up and she threw her arms around him, squeezing him. "I'm glad. Two hours with you is not enough time…" She looked back into his eyes and chewed her lip nervously. "But I don't want you to stay there. I want you to stay with me…"

Harry swallowed. His throat dry all of a sudden. He stared down at Hermione. She looked so excited and nervous at the same time. He thought back to the night she had spent with him, and how wonderful it felt to sleep with her in his arms. It was the easiest decision he ever made.

"I'd love to. Lead the way, Professor." Hermione giggled and pulled him towards the castle. She led him to the fourth floor and down the hallway to her office. It was a quaint little office. Everything was perfectly organized. Nothing was out of place. It was very Hermione. She tapped one of the stones in the wall with her wand, and the door to her living quarters appeared. She pulled him in and shut the door behind them.

As soon as the door was shut, Harry felt himself being thrown back into it. His eyes widened as Hermione crashed her lips into his. He immediately pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. The kiss was filled with longing and desire. It was completely different than all of their other ones. Her hands found their way to his hair and he sighed happily.

Hermione pulled back and looked at him, her eyes filled with lust. "Harry, take me to the bed."

His mouth dropped open slightly and he cleared his throat. "I, um, are you sure?"

She nodded. "Positive."

Harry's face burst into a grin as he lifted her into his arms, carrying her bridal style to her bed. He set her down gently, and climbed up next to her. As soon as he was on the bed, Hermione's hands grabbed his face and pulled it down to hers. Her lips met his and she immediately slid her tongue into his mouth.

Harry immediately gave up the small struggle for control. He knew Hermione liked to be in control of almost everything. It was better for her to set the speed of things, since only she knew how far and fast she wanted to go.

But then she slowly pulled away, smiling. "I'll be right back." She stood up and hurried in the bathroom to brush her teeth. She knew it was a bit ridiculous, but it was just a small excuse to slow down her heart. She wasn't a virgin by any means, but that didn't mean that she wasn't nervous. She didn't want to be nervous. She wanted to give everything to Harry.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled off her clothes, leaving herself clad in only a dark red lingerie set. She nodded at her reflection in the mirror and headed back into the bedroom. What she saw made her smile.

Harry was passed out on the bed, his chest rising slowly as he breathed. She reached behind the door and grabbed her robe, pulling it on. Walking over to the bed, she looked at Harry before climbing in next to him, pressing a kiss to his chest. She had known that he was exhausted from all of his training, and she didn't hold it against him. Maybe it was for the best that he had fallen asleep. She didn't want to rush into things with Harry. She brushed his untidy hair out of his face and snuggled up against him.

"Good night, Harry."