AN: Okay, so I lied. I don't think Ginny will be pairing with anyone in this fic but Crazy. HAHA! I hate her with a passion, couldn't ya tell? Hehe. My next update will be a while in comming. My birthday is the 25th, and Spring Break is all mine! Ha!

So... I got this finished a little later than I had originally hoped.... I hope you like it.

The Meaning of Love

A Knight

Winds of Autumn

Hogwarts looked better than it ever had-- tombstones had been set up as a monument around Dumbledore's stone casket, the castle itself had been recreated, and the memory of what had been accomplished on this treasured ground would always be remembered. For Hermione, it carried both sweet and bitter memories. Her first friendships had started here, she'd finally fit in somewhere (as much as she could fit in, anyway) and she'd experienced so many things.

Minerva had already taken her things up to the castle, leaving Hermione to wander the deserted grounds in the darkness. She could see Hagrid's hut, the light blazing in the window and the smell of smoke from his chimney. The big, friendly giant that loved everyone. Well, with the exception of Malfoys. But she couldn't hold that against him-- she wasn't fond of them either. But it wasn't in her nature to hate, even as much as she disliked that family.

Hugging her waist, she hunched her shoulders as she set forward toward the hut. She missed the simple times, back when all they had to worry about was passing Snape's class and making it through the year without ending up in the Hospital Wing. Of course, things had always seemed to appear in their paths-- thanks to Harry's stout meddling-- but she didn't mind. It was those things that had brought them so close together.

Lifting her face to the breeze, Hermione pressed forward, listening to the noises of nature around her. The breeze whispered through the trees of the forbidden forest, through the grass and over the water of the Great Lake. She smiled, the noises soothing her as she paused outside Hagrid's hut to enjoy it.

"'Ermione?" Her eyes fluttered open to see Hagrid in front of her, a huge grin on his face. She smiled back.

"Hello Hagrid. Is it all right if I come in?" she asked, dropping a hand to pet Fang as he pushed against her leg, pressing his nose lightly to her stomach and whining for a pet.

Hagrid's large head dipped in a nod and he held the door open for her. He closed it behind her, lumbering down into his large chair and looking across at her. "What brings ya here?" he asked curiously.

Hermione smiled as she curled up in the much too large chair. "I was lonely, and I missed you." She shrugged a shoulder, looking down at the table. Her smile slipped. "I need help," she admitted, looking back up at him. "I've been so weak lately, and I'm done with it. I won't cry anymore." Her voice was hard, ringing with determination. Hagrid bit back a grin. Even if he thought she and Harry would be perfect together, she wasn't willing to put up with his crap, and that was exactly what both of them needed.

"How can I help?" he asked.

Ginny leaned back against the headboard of her bed, frowning. Why hadn't it worked? She'd been so sure it had been brewed right. So, why was George not going after Hermione as he should be, leaving Harry to come back to her? It had been a flawless plan. She'd been so positive that it would work.

Pushing off her bed, she started pacing, unable to sit still. Something was wrong. Maybe the love potion hadn't been brewed as perfectly as she had thought. She wasn't the best at potions, after all. Clenching her jaw, the red head left her room, swiftly making her way to Ron's room. Knocking, she didn't give any time to answer as she barged in.

Two pairs of eyes looked up at her, one of them hard and the other exasperated. Ron and Harry. She opened her mouth like a fish out of water, about to explain her sudden entrance, when Harry looked at Ron and tilted his head toward the door. Ron nodded, standing and slipping past Ginny.

Whatever was about to happen in that room, Ron wanted completely clear of it. The look in Harry's eyes when he'd come back had been brutal, and he'd demanded to know if Ron would take offense to dumping Ginny to look after Hermione. He'd had to hold back a smile. Finally, he was realizing who he really wanted and what games Ginny was playing. Well, maybe not that, but all the same, it was about time. Which gave him a brilliant idea. He needed to apologize to his best mate. He'd been a down right rotten git to her.

Going down to the living room, he grabbed a hand full of floo powder and tossed it into the flames. "Hogwarts," he said clearly.

Harry stared at Ginny, wondering what had changed so much. Once, she'd made him happy. Once, she'd been his hope for the future. But now, he couldn't understand why he'd put up with her meddling and conniving for so long. "Sit," he said softly, firmly. Ginny's eyes widened, but she sat obediently. She'd heard him use that tone of voice before, but it had never been directed at her.

His eyes pinned her to the spot. They were calm, but underlaying that was a myriad of conflicting emotions. She swallowed, not wanting it to be over like this. He was hers, damnit! He couldn't be doing this.

But he was.

"Ginny. Its over." He was so bloody calm about it. Her vision blurred, but she saw him stand and leave. It was over? Just like that? No. She wouldn't let it be. She would get him back, if it was the last thing she did. Clenching her jaw, something in the back of her mind tingled, trying to rush forward. Hermione's pregnancy.... A Malfoy baby. What would Malfoy give to have Hermione right now? Hm... She grinned. Oh, Harry would be hers all right. And he would regret leaving her.

Hermione stretched in the large bed, staring up at the scarlett covered canopy in thought. She had heard from George that Harry had broken it off with Ginny the night before, but he still hadn't tried to contact her. Which both annoyed her and confused her. If what he had said about his feelings for her were true, why hadn't he come to talk to her? Sighing, Hermione sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. It was time to get up.

Walking the stone floors of the castle, hands on her belly as she headed outside for her favorite reading spot, Hermione thoughts were centered on the situation concerning Harry and herself. Was it even possible to build a relationship romantically off of one that had been purely friendship for so long? Dare she further risk her friendship with him? Was it worth it? No. She refused to sacrifice something so important to her.

"Hermione?" The voice came from behind her. How had someone snuck up on her?

Turning, her throat tightened. "Harry," she said cooly, crossing her arms tighter over her stomach in an attempt to protect her growing child against someone that would never hurt her or her child. He noticed, and hurt flashed in his emerald eyes. It took all she had to keep from flinching at the hurt she'd put there.

"I was wondering if we could talk.... " His hand lifted, fingers dragging through messy hair. Her heart ached. Nodding, not trusting herself to answer, Hermione turned and led the way outside to her favorite spot. Sitting carefully, back straight, hands folded in her lap, she watched Harry expectantly.

He watched back, drowning in her eyes. They were so large, swallowing him whole. Jerking his gaze away, he dropped down beside her, toying with a blade of grass he'd ripped from the ground. "I made a mistake," he started, hoping she wouldn't interrupt. This was hard enough to do without her questions or her wide eyes peering at him hopefully. "I clung to Ginny because she was my first love. Everyone expected us to be together, so we were. But... She's not who I want. Her hair used to make me melt, her eyes used to completely disarm me. But now I dream about chocolate eyes." He slid his gaze over to her, seeing the way her head was leaned back against the tree, her slender jaw clenched tightly as she listened to his words. Was that a glimmer of tears he saw in her lashes? Surely not. He took a deep breath and plunged on. "I know I hurt you, but please, let me make it up to you." Even he heard the pleading in his voice.

Harry turned, sitting in front of her, taking her delicate hands in his own Quidditch roughened ones. She was so beautiful. "Please, Hermione. I'll do anything."

Her eyes opened, dark swirling brown nearly black in intensity. Her pain shot through him, burning and gripping in a crippling way. "All right."

His heart felt lighter. He would never hurt her again.

Hermione watched the silly grin spread across Harry's face, feeling the emotions sweep through her. He had begged for forgiveness, for a way to make it better. For a chance. Her thoughts were cut short as he scooped her up in his arms, heading toward the castle once more. She squealed in protest, beating against his chest. "Harry James Potter! You let me down this instant!" she cried, beating against his chest.

His chuckle rumbled through her, since she was pressed so tightly against him. Yet, and closely as he held her, it was gently. Cherishing. And then his lips were on hers, gentle and promising, urging her to open her lips but not demanding. Her fingers delved into his hair, pulling him closer, as if they both needed this to live. And they did. At least, Hermione did. She felt complete-- something she hadn't even noticed until he had come to her. Her eyes slid closed, a soft sigh leaving her.

Pulling back, Harry looked down at her, eyes glittering. "I'm sorry, Mione. I'll never hurt you again," he swore softly, pressing another kiss to her forehead. Hermione smiled softly, touching his cheek.

"I know." She kissed him softly. "Now, I wish to return to my room. Is the Knight carrying me, or shall I walk?" she asked teasingly. Harry chuckled, cradling her closer to his chest as he set off toward the castle once more.