Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, only the plot is my own.

Hermione stood in front of the full length mirror, looking at her own reflection. She grinned at herself. The black dress she wore hugged every curve of her body and barely touched her knee. She turned and ran her hand over her backside and smirked. She looked damn good. She grabbed the red heels next to the mirror and slipped them on. She ran her tongue over her teeth in approval. The heels made her legs fantastic. She walked over to her vanity and sat down. Before her sat various shades of red nail polishes. She really didn't wear it, but she had found out that he liked a woman with her nails painted. She couldn't believe she was about to use this stuff but she was determined to make him hers this evening. Every subtle hint she gave him was lost.

Tonight she was pulling out all of the stops. It was the annual Christmas Party at the ministry and she was going to make an entrance. Although she was a prompt person, she was going to make sure everyone noticed her when she came in.

She picked up the first bottle and compared it to her heels. She did the same with each bottle until she found the perfect match. She carefully opened the bottle and began to paint her nails. It wasn't as bad as she had imagined, in fact it was very relaxing for her. Once finished she let them dry before putting on her make up. She decided on a smoldering smoky eye with a red lipstick. She looked over once more and was very pleased with the way she looked. She hardly looked like her normal, poised and smart self.

She checked the clock and grinned, people would be arriving now and she was ready to get him to finally notice her. She slipped on a black pea coat, grabbed her clutch with her wand tucked inside and walked to the door. She pulled out her wand, pointed it at the lights and whispered, "Nox", before opening the door to her small home.

"Colloportus." She whispered and listened as her door sealed itself.

The brisk London air was refreshing and she smiled brightly as the snow danced gracefully around her face. She loved how the snow stuck in her curls as a child and even now the small white flakes clung to her hair. She had smoothed her hair into curls that framed her face and hung just to her shoulders. She shook her hair back, letting the snow work its way free before she raised her wand and disappeared with acrack!

She reappeared in front of the restaurant, and took a deep breath before she opened the door. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on the handle.

"Get a grip, Hermione." She muttered to herself and opened the door.

The room was packed. She held her head high as she walked in and glanced around the room for him. She heard people whisper and some stared as if they had seen a ghost. She let a small smirk creep upon her lips but inside she was screaming. She didn't see him anywhere. Suddenly the crowd parted and there he stood next to the bar. He looked incredible in his black suit. She chuckled seeing that he had paired the suit with a red tie. She subconsciously chewed on her bottom lip and tilted her head as she stared at his incredible body. Training and quidditch had been very good to him. His usual unruly dark hair was smoothed back and he was sporting a new pair of black framed glasses. She stood there for a moment just soaking his appearance, trying to muster the courage to actually go see him. Before she had made up her mind to move, he turned their eyes meeting.

Hermione licked her lips staring at the man before her. She wanted him to take in all of her. She has done this for him. She wanted him to know it was his if he wanted it. Everyone had always thought she would marry Ron but it wasn't meant to be for them

When they had graduated they each had gone separate ways to further their training. She had gone to university in the muggle world while Ron and Harry went to training to become aurors. She didn't want to be one. Everyone assumed she would follow the boys, but she wanted more. She wanted to be a doctor, not just a healer for wizards but an actual physician. She waited for him but he hadn't.

When she returned after her first year of school Ron had a fiancé. Not just any fiance' but Lavender Brown. The girl made sure that Hermione knew that Ron was hers and even flaunted that their wedding was just weeks away. Hermione found comfort in Harry. It was just the two of them. Ron didn't seem to have time for them anymore. The two of them spent many nights talking about failed relationships. That was two years ago. Ginny had moved on from Harry as well and was married to Dean Thomas and they were expecting a child.

One night Hermione realized her feelings for Harry were deeper that friendship, but she was afraid to tell him. She had decided that this would be her first attempt at trying to make him see her more than just the brainiac girl who used to hang out with him.

She pushed the hair from her face and took a deep breath. She walked slowly toward him and once she reached him she turned to face the bar. She ordered a glass of merlot and leaned over, resting her elbows on the smooth black marble of the counter. The movement made her calves flex. She lifted her left foot and ran it down the back of her right leg. She listened waiting for his response.

Harry was momentarily entranced as he watched her stroll up to the bar, her long legs crossing one in front of the other. He reached out to touch her arm as she got close, making eye contact with her.

"It's good to see you 'Mione," for a moment, he had forgotten all of his pain, and was just happy to see her.

"I've missed you. You look," Harry didn't mean to delay, but he had lost the word in his throat. Great didn't seem to be enough.

"Amazing.." He hadn't realized how long his drink had been sitting there, nor how long he had been gently touching her arm.

Harry had thought about her very often lately, and though he was best friends with Ron, they hadn't been on the best of terms since everything with Ginny. He had told her many things that he had never told anyone, his fears, his dreams, and somehow, he felt they had grown closer. Closer even than they had been as kids. Now was different though, now he wanted to connect more with her. Now he wanted her.

Hermione smiled and tuned to look at him. Her stomach churned with excitement and fear. He was the only person to call her that. She loved how the last two syllables of her name rolled sweetly off his lips. She had been a fool in school to think that Ron was the one for her. She lifted her finger to the glass and began to circle the rim.

"Thank you. " she said softly. She couldn't form any actual thought as he placed his hand on her arm. She sucked in a breath and didn't realize how long she had been holding it. Her mind races with images of that hand cupping her cheek and pulling her toward him. She looked up into his piercing eyes and released the breath. She had to get a hold of herself. In and out, in and out... mentally telling herself how to properly breathe. She pulled her bottom between her teeth and gently bit down on it.

She wanted him. Her body was responding in ways she she had never experienced with Ron and she liked it. That fool had never taken her own interests to mind. He had changed after the war. He'd become cold and angry. The death of his brother had taken its toll on him.

"Come," he nearly commanded, more desire than dominance in his voice, "let's find somewhere quiet to sit."

He led her to a table, happy to give her his full attention, but even happier to have hers. What she had lost in enthusiasm lately had been replaced with an even greater feeling of care for others. He had always admired her mind, but her heart, her caring nature was her most endearing feature.

She sat down and he sat right next to her. Her breath caught in her throat as he moved close to her. She picked up her glass of wine and brought it to her lips, taking a small sip. She set the glass back down and let her finger gently circle the rim as she watched Harry. He was tapping his fingers on the surface of the table as he scanned the room. He was keeping an eye out for Ron. He was afraid he would show up and make a scene and he wanted to keep her close in case something did happen. Hermione took a deep breath and his cologne filled her nose. He had always spelled so good, but the scent he gave off now drove her mad. She wanted to lean over and kiss him but she knew that doing so would cause attention to be brought their way and she wasn't ready for all that. Harry shifted and moved closer to her, his leg brushing against her. The small contact made the hair on her arms rise. She let out a shuttered breath. She could see the smirk that appeared on Harry's lips. She shook her head at him.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Potter?" she asked. Harry chuckled.

"Very much, Ms. Granger. You see, I've never seen you like this before and quite frankly, I rather enjoy it." he said and then leaned into her and whispered into her ear. "And I want more." Hermione's eyes widened as she felt his hand on her leg. He moved it up the hemline, and gently squeezed her thigh. Her legs tensed at the touched and threatened to squeeze closed at the touch.

"Relax" he whispered. Hermione did as he said and her legs relaxed under his touch. He pushed them open slightly and slid his hand further up her leg until it came close to her throbbing center. He softly caressed her black satin panties with one finger ,causing her to gasp. She reached down and grabbed his hand, causing him to look up.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"I want this, all of this, but not here. I want you to take me home." she whispered. Harry smiled and gripped her hand in his. He stood and pulled her up to him so hard that she crashed right into him. He reached up and laced his fingers into her hair and leaned in, kissing her. The room went silent. Hermione pulled away, breathless and touched her lips. The room erupted in applause. Hermione giggled and Harry smiled, proudly.

"It's about time!" someone yelled from the back of the crowd. All heads turned to find George Weasley with his wife Angelina. Harry took Hermione's hand and led her to the door, passing George on the way.

"You were always too good for the git of a brother of mine." he said as they made their way out. They hadn't expected it to be raining. As they stepped onto the street, Hermione let out a laugh. Harry stopped and pulled her to him. He pushed her wet hair from her face.

"Hermione, you are beautiful." he whispered and held her close as he apparated them both to his home.

Hermione looked around the room and saw a fire place. She grabbed her wand and flicked it toward the logs, igniting a flame. She tossed the wand to the floor and reached up, pulling Harry's coat from his shoulders. She then set to work on his tie. She slipped it over his head and quickly removed his shirt. Harry grabbed her hands, bringing them to his lips and kissed then gently. He turned her around and leaned into her. He kissed her neck and slid his hand between them and pulled the zipper of her dress down. He slid the dress over her shoulders, revealing the black satin matching bra and panties. Harry smiled.

"I may have done some research before going out tonight." she whispered. Harry removed her bra, freeing her perfectly round, creamy breasts. His hand moved to cup one of them, Hermione arched int his touch. She turned back around and captured his lips again and moved to remove his pants and boxers. Harry stepped away from her and moved his hands down her soft skin tot he band of her panties. He hooked his fingers in the band and slid them down her legs. She stepped out of them and harry tossed them aside. Harry stepped back and sucked in a breath.

"Hermione…" he whispered and reached out and traced a finger down her breast, to her navel. She gasped.

"Harry, please." she whimpered. She wanted him so badly, her body felt as if it were going to explode. He moved closer, kissing her. She could feel him hot and hard against her. He moved them to the floor. His hand moved to the soft curls at the top of her pelvis and she opened her legs to him. He slipped a finger into her warm folds, collecting some of the wetness he found there and moving his finger over her clit, causing her to gasp. He gently circled the small nub a few times before mocing furter down, slipping a finger into her, hooking it slightly finding that sweet spot. Suddenly he withdrew his hand, causing her to whimper and sit up. Harry pushed her back to the ground and kissed the valley between her breasts. He continued his kisses down her belly and stopped just before he reached her core.

"I've always wondered what you tastes like, Hermione." He whispered and leaned in and kissed the inside of her left thigh, then the right. He looked up and made eye contact with her before diving in and placing his mouth over her core. She gasped loudly as his tongue lapped over and over against her. He quickly moved his lips to her clit and sucked hard as he pushed two fingers into her. Her back arched as he pumped his fingers in and out of her, working a beautiful rhythm with his tongue. She could feel the fire in her belly begin to build.

"Harry, please. I'm coming." she moaned. Harry stopped and moved up to position himself over her. He looked her in the eye, asking for her permission before he took her. Hermione reached up, cupping his face.

"I've never wanted anything more in my life. Please." she whispered. Harry leaned in and kissed her hard as he entered her. She pulled away in a gasp. Her hands reached his back and she held onto him for dear life as he moved within her. She felt as if he was reaching her very core with every move he made. He was gentle, but fierce with his thrusts, causing the fire to build quickly she moved a leg to hook around his hip, urging him deeper into her. His strokes began to move faster and harder as he came close to his climax.

"Hermione, I'm coming." he whispered and moved to pull out. She stopped him and pulled him closer to him.

"I don't care. If it happens, it happens. That is if you don't care."

"Not at all." he replied and moved faster and harder until he grabbed the back of her leg and pushed deep inside her as he came, filling her. Hermione came at the same time, her walls pumping around him, milking every last drop. He pressed his forehead to hers and took in a deep breath.

"I love you, Hermione. I always have," he whispered. Hermione finally let her emotions take over and she began to cry.

"Harry, you have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words from you," she replied. Harry moved away and laid on the floor next to her. He reached over and pulled a blanket from the chair and covered them both.

"May I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Of course."

"Why did you stop me?"

Hermione took a deep breath and turned to look at him.

"It's complicated."

"I'm listening."

"When I was with Ron, we took every precaution to ensure that I wouldn't get pregnant. I didn't want a baby. The thought of raising a child with him made me sick. I wasn't happy with him. He lost himself when Fred died. He drank, and was always unhappy. I wanted to leave him long before he broke it off with me, but I felt guilty. I knew that our relationship wasn't healthy and I couldn't bear to bring a child into that environment. When he left me, I felt liberated, free. I had always wanted children but he took that feeling away from me. Tonight when you took me, all I could think was, I want a baby. Your baby. I think it's always been you Harry. When ever I've imagined my baby, it never had red hair, but dark unruly hair with bright green eyes. Deep down, I always knew that when I have a child, it would be yours."

Harry was silent, causing her to panic. She moved to get up and he placed his hand on hers.

"Hermione, if that's what you want, then I'm ready to give it to you. I've always wanted children, and I can't think of anyone better to raise a child with than you.," he replied. He moved and placed his hand over her stomach and closed his eyes, smiling.

"You'll be beautiful." he whispered, pulling her closer to him. Hermione curled into his embrace and closed her eyes, falling asleep, happy for the first time in years.