Chapter Eleven

Re-Dating

Harry had taken off work for three days. A favor given by Mr. Kingsley, his boss, a big man that once worked for the Order of the Phoenix, the group that stood against Voldemort. Harry proclaimed that they were going to take the three days, and revisit their first dates.

The first place he took Hermione was a muggle fast food restaurant. They sat outside on the benches eating out of a brown paper bag watching the cars go by. She loved it. They had all the money anyone could want, but they went there. When Hermione questioned him about this he told her it was because they both were raised by muggles, and neither of them were ones for places that sat more than one fork at the table. She fully agreed with this, and had the best time since she woke up in the hospital, their conversation flowing easily. There was no tension, much like the way they used to be.

The next day early in the morning he took her to a muggle park. They laid on a patchwork quilt under the shade of a large willow tree with a wicker basket pulling out sandwiches, and drinks. Hermione snuck a book in there when Harry wasn't looking, and began reading passages to him, but when she got to the second page he faked snoring which earned him a playful slap on the arm. They spent the rest of the day telling jokes, and watching the parents play catch with their children.

It was the day after that gave Hermione the biggest surprise. Harry told her they were going to Écouter, a fancy French restaurant run by wizards. While he dressed in the study, she was doing the same in their room. She pulled on a long silver sleeveless dress that hung in the back of her wardrobe, its hem barely sweeping the floor, holding her curves in its softness. She pulled her hair into a matching clip letting a few curls fall to the sides of her face. She added a touch of blush, and a light thin layer of gloss making her lips shine. A bit of magic was used for the dark circles under her eyes.

Harry, and her exited their rooms at the same time. He stopped abruptly in the doorway, his eyebrows raised. "Wow..." He breathed. "You look... Amazing."

She surveyed his black tux, and open robe, his crisp white button shirt showing through. It looked as though he tried to gel his hair back, but failed miserably as the fringe fell over his eyes. He stuck his hands in his pockets obviously wiping them on a cloth he carried.

"You look pretty good yourself."

He smiled weakly, and chivalrously held out his elbow for her to take which she did. In the lounge they ducked into the fireplace, disappearing in a blaze of emerald. They walked out with grace earned by all the years they have traveled by Floo.

The place took Hermione's breath away. Each of the walls contained beautiful hand painted murals. One of a little girl, with brown curls holding her mother's hand. Another of a man on his knees in the rain gazing up into the stormy sky. There were so many walls, and steps leading to higher tables that Hermione wished she had several more eyes to see it all.

A slender woman in a burgundy robe approached them, a couple of menus in hand. She led them past all the tables clothed in the same color as the waitresses, and waiters attire. They went inside another room. Like the one outside every one of the four walls had a separate mural. Different patronuses covered one, a frozen lake on another. She was pulled out of her observation when Harry pulled out a seat for her, and took his seat across from her. She realized that theirs was the only table there right in the center.

Once the waitress served them their water, and left to let them go over their orders Hermione leaned slightly over. "Harry... I thought we weren't ones to go to lavish restaurants."

"We're not," he said scanning his menu. "You see, there's only one fork."

"Very funny. Seriously..."

He glanced at her. "This is Fleur's restaurant."

Her mouth slightly parted in shock. "Fleur owns this place?"

"Yeah, and I might add do not order anything meat, unless you like a live cow on your plate."

"Still undercooks them?"

"Yeah, it's a popular place for werewolves, or half werewolf breeds."

"Like Bill..."

"Like Bill. This is also where I proposed to you."

Hermione grinned. "How did you do it?"

"What? You want like a recap?"

She shrugged. "I just want to know how you did it."

Clearly uncomfortable he placed his cloth on the table, and bent slowly to one knee beside the table. "I - I wasn't good at this the first time... Hermione... We've been through a lot. I helped saved you from a troll, and in return you helped me pass my classes with your extensive knowledge, and research, which lets be honest, I would've never done myself."

She giggled.

"I'm not going to repeat word-for-word what I said, because I can't remember. What I do know is that you said yes, and we gave each other our hands. We've spent our life happy, and though you can't recall any of it I'll spend another four years proving it to you. I love with you with everything I am, and more than anything, or anyone." He fished in his pocket, and withdrew a small red, and gold circular stone, a hole drilled into it where a silver chain ran through. "A year ago I gave you that engagement ring on your finger. This time I'm giving you the stone you picked up at the river. You kept it in your jewelry box, but I took it out shortly after to make it into a necklace for you. A reminder if you will of the day we fell in love, or at least first admitted it. I'd like to ask you again, Hermione, if you'll spend the rest of your life with me?"

She blinked back the tears in her eyes, and nodded. "Yes," she answered hoarsely.

He stood, and wrapped the necklace over her neck. The stone laid between her collarbones, warm to the touch from being in his pocket. She ran her fingers over it. Behind her chair Harry grazed the back of her bare neck, very gently kissing the supple spot under her ear. She turned, and he kissed her lips. He slid his hands down her sides holding her hips as he deepened it. Hermione craned her neck back her breathing becoming more labored, a tingling sensation starting at her toes, working its way up.

Then there was a short cough, and they broke apart to see their red-faced waitress. "Ready to order," she asked as Harry quickly took his seat, his cheeks scarlet.

That night Hermione knew why she married her best friend. It wasn't because their loves died. It wasn't because she was lonely. It was because she was in love with him. She was in love with Harry Potter.

Forgive me, Ron, Ginny... I do love him, with or without my memory. Forgive me.

A/N: I orginially planned to expand the three dates over three chapters. However, it would've been pretty boring. There are four chapters left, so things will be moving on soon.