Hey

Again I am so sorry for being silent for so long. I just want to finish this story and put it behind me as I don't think it's been my best work. So if anyone has any suggestions for an ending plz PM them to me I will be very grateful. Don't post it in the reviews just in case someone reads it and he spoils the end. Anyway I hope you enjoy the following chapter and please review it makes writing so much more rewarding.

The Hogwarts express slowly pulled into the station full of students returning from the Christmas break. Harry, Hermione and Ginny quickly departed and found a carriage, in a few seconds Luna and Ron entered. They both had mysteriously disappeared during the ride there but both Harry and Hermione had their suspicions about what was going on with the new pair.

Hermione slightly fell upon Harry as the carriage began to move. Looking up apologetically she resumed her seat next to him and he just replied with his charming grin. His mind was too occupied by Ginny who was sitting across from him and anxiously staring out the window. He could tell she was nervous. She had barely left the train compartment on the way there in fear of running into Draco. Harry was so close to exiting and purposely finding that bastard before Hermione stopped him after reading his thoughts.

He wandered what would happen when she finally made eye contact with him in a hallway. He didn't want her to get hurt again. As much as it sounded like he still harboured feelings for Ginny he knew it was more brotherly then romantic and he assured Hermione just in case.

Again the carriage stopped and they exited out into the cool night the breeze that softly ruffled his hair. Harry turned around to find Hermione emerging from the carriage and he rushed over to help her down. She looked so beautiful as her foot gracefully came in contact with the ground. A chestnut coloured tendril falling in front of her eye.

"Harry, you don't need to help me down. I'm perfectly capable of that myself," her remark brought him back to the world. He looked down to see her eyes only held slight anger but on her face was a smile. He shrugged it off taking her hand again as they entered the castle.

They were ushered into the hall as the feast had already begun. Sitting down Harry made a mental note of seeing Draco staring Ginny's way but she simply just ignored him and sat down with her back to the slytherin table. They quickly ate their fill and in Ron's case three times a normal persons fill and went back to their dorms but not before Hermione spotted Ron giving Luna a quick goodnight kiss she smiled as she pointed it out to Harry. Both climbed the stars with a knowing smile gracing their faces.

X

Classes resumed normally the next day and soon they were all back into their normal routine. Harry began to see less and less of Hermione as they began to prepare the exams. He would see her sitting in the library hours at a time in front of one overly large book.

Despite this Ron and Luna had made their relationship official and were now walking down the hallways hand in hand, Rons' red hair clashing ever so slightly with Lunas' excessively white hair. Harry had also been seeing less of his other friends including Ginny. He hoped she was holding up but wasn't so worried anymore as he had heard Draco had been seen running towards the hospital wing after being hit with an extremely successful Bat boogey curse. He still had emerged and it had happened about a week ago.

X

One night Harry sat down in front of the fireplace after an incredibly bad day. He reached out for the butter beer in front of him as his other hand ran through his wet hair. The hot shower had done nothing to relieve the pressure he was feeling and at this moment all he wanted to feel was the warm butter beer flow down his throat. Taking a sip he looked behind him as the portrait hole opened. Through it came Hermione her hair hanging loosely down her back in gentle curls while she carelessly took of her robe and threw it at the table. She gently flopped herself down next to Harry putting her head in her hands. The week had been too much to bear. She needed a rest and was thankful that tomorrow was the weekend. At least she wouldn't have to teach.

Seeing her hunched form next to him Harry slowly snake his hand around her frail body that he had noticed had been growing thinner. He gently pulled her towards him comforting her as well as he could. Her body silently shook against his and he knew that she was finally releasing the pressure that she was feeling into the small tears that flowed down her smooth cheeks. Gently he lifted her head and turned it slightly towards him, her eyes wouldn't meet his as another tear fell down her cheek slightly smudging her eye liner. He softly kissed her forehead and at this she spun herself around in her arms and began to cry in his arms.

Harry sat their cradling his Hermione gently rocking her as tears finally freely fell. He knew these tears weren't just because of the stress, they had more meaning. This was the first time she had cried since the final battle and he knew it had finally hit her how much things had changed. She wept for the lives that they couldn't save, she wept for her friends, she wept for her parents who had nearly died and she wept for the fact that she had nearly lost him she had nearly lost her Harry.

After what felt like hours Hermione finally pulled away from Harry, her eyes red and make up wrecked. Her throat was parched and knowingly Harry offered her the forgotten cup of butter beer next to him. She sipped at it slowly feeling its effects on her.

Finally she made eye contact with Harry who she now realized she was freely straddling. Harry was looking deeply into her eyes, green met brown again each pair of eyes full of lust and passion. No Harry, you will not take advantage of her when she's like this. No! Harry silently scolded himself but before he knew what was happening his lips came in contact with another. The kiss was over flowing with feelings and Harry was having a hard time keeping up with Hermione. Soon they pulled apart out of breath Harry's heart was beating hard against his chest. He had never experienced such a kiss before. It had been perfect, soft but full of passion, how did Hermione know how to do this toe him?

He watched as she slowly stood and pulled her robes down slightly. Then she gently took his hand and started to lead him towards the bedroom. As they neared the bed she turned again and captured his lips. Her mouth opened slightly to let him enter; unknowingly Harry lowered her on to the bed moving his body on top of her. Their lips broke apart and Harry looked down at her, her eyes laid shut and her breathing was laboured, her cheeks were a rosy colour and Harry couldn't help but kiss them. He moved downwards kiss as much of her as he could, massaging a sensitive spot behind her ear.

Hermione arched her body towards him as he extracted moans of delight aware of the hardness pressing against her thigh. She slowly pulled away and began to unbutton her top eager to feel as close to him as possible, Harry paused as the sight of her cleavage grew. His pants suddenly felt extremely restrictive but he gently laid a hand on hers. She looked up slightly shocked at his action, her eyes burning into him with a silent need. "Are you sure?" Harry's voice came out as a raw whisper.

Hermione smiled at him, he was always the gentleman and mutely nodded back. That was all the convincing he needed and he captured her lips into another heated kiss.

X

Hermione woke in a haze; she stretched her arms out and suddenly became aware of the other person in the bed. His arm draped unceremoniously across her waist pulling her small body towards him, his head rested just above her letting the smell of her hair float up into his nose. She turned her head to see his hair more ruffled than usual and smiled.

He looked so peaceful when he slept and her heart filled with love for him. She dropped a small kiss onto his chest and snuggled back into his hold. Exams and her students could wait, today she was wrapped in Harry Potter's arms and she had never felt more comforted or safe.

Anyway I hope you liked it.

I wrote this in two separate sessions so I'm sorry if there is some inconsistency. I'm thinking maybe two more chapters and then this story will finally be finished.

Anyway until next time

petiteJuzzie

PS remember to review