A/N: Would you look at that, late again! This will be a double upload to assurge the guilt that runs through my veins. Happy?

.

Firelight

Twenty minutes later Harry entered the Library to find Hermione engrossed in another tome, her legs curled up underneath her. The sight calmed any nerves he had about this night, the picture just felt so familiar to him. Still hesitant about their new boundaries he refrained from hugging her from behind and just sat down beside her. "What are you reading?"

"Mmm?"

Sighing he leaned over and slowly pried the book from her grasp. "No reading at the dinner table."

She merely looked confused at this. "Wha-?"

He studied the cover of the book now in his hands it read 'Ancestral Homes of the Wizarding World.' "What made you pick this one out?"

She shrugged. "Just curious I suppose."

Harry chuckled , "Never change Mione."

She looked at him oddly. "Now we're here I've got some questions for you."

He placed the book beside him. "Go on."

"One, what are we having for dinner and why here? And Two, why are you so distant now?"

He took a deep breath. "Something simple as I felt like eating in here. And... I dunno I just felt like doing something special for you. Not that eating in the Library is something special-" He quickly added.

She cut in, her voice soft. "It's ok, I appreciate the thought Harry."

"Well err... I dunno, I'm just scared that I'll screw up... again. I'm pretty rubbish at this." He grinned in spite of himself. "You're the most special person in my life, if I screw this up I'll never forgive myself." He took the chance to look at her, then found himself unable to look away. Just like in the sitting room at Number Twelve, the fire reflected in her brown eyes. He wasn't sure how long he stared at her but he blinked and her lips suddenly pressed against his. It was over far too soon for his liking, but when she snuggled into his shoulder. He relaxed. He wouldn't trade this for anything.

"You're not too bad at this." She murmured into his chest. "I'm not exactly good at relationships, I... never had many friends."

He wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze. "I suppose we'll figure it out as we go along. Unless... There's a book on it?"

There was a pause. "I'll keep an eye out." Just then, two plates of Pie and Mash appeared on the table in front of them. Hermione quite literally bounced off his chest. "I haven't had this in so long!"

He watched her with amusement as she picked up her knife and fork with an eagerness that matched her enthusiasm for a new trove of books. "Your parents made this for you?"

She didn't pause in cutting through her pie. "Every now and then." Having nothing to add, Harry made a start of his own plate. They ate in companionable silence until something he'd always wanted to ask came to front of his mind. The thought caught him with the fork halfway to his mouth, and he promptly forgot about the food.

"You err, you've never really talked about before Hogwarts." She finished chewing but stayed silent. Harry suddenly remembered about he piece of pie on his fork and popped in into his mouth while he waited.

"Could we talk about that another time? When we can both talk about life before Hogwarts? I'd rather hear about your study abroad, and-" She elbowed him, "you never got around to telling me your NEWT results."

Realising he had no right to push her on a subject that he didn't like exploring himself he relented. Placing down his knife and fork he grabbed his wand, thanking the stars that he'd planned on bring the original copy here for safe keeping. "Accio." After a few seconds a rolled up piece of parchment zoomed into the room and landed in his lap, barely missing his dinner. Without a word he handed it too her and took the opportunity to tuck into the excellent dinner Teemy had whipped up. Hermione practically squealed has he went to cut up some more of his pie, resulting in him dropping the knife in his mash. Giving it up as a bad job he looked at her, waiting for the inevitable.

She gasped, "You got a Mastery In Defence!? And you studied Ancient Runes and Arithmancy? I'm so proud of you!" With that said, she enveloped him in a crushing hug. He kissed her on the cheek, knowing exactly what she was going to say next. Knowing his answer would kill the happiness in the room as soon as it left his lips. "I can't believe this! You would have studied so hard! Not that I didn't think you we capable of course. I just never thought you would put in so much effort. Why did you?"

He busied himself with cutting into his pie to avoid looking at her. "I err, figured that seeing as you wouldn't be around to save my ass every day... I needed to be prepared for once." His chest seemed to contract when he realised just how close he'd come to living the rest of his life without her. Meanwhile the silence seemed to stretch forever. Until as one the looked at each other and said "I'm sorry." Simultaneously. He was about to ask why she was sorry at all but the thought left his mind instantly when she started laughing, clutching her side in mirth.

Harry was perplexed. "What-"

"Oh, c'mon Harry!" She gasped, "That was like it was out of a movie or something!"

Seeing her like this did nothing to help control his on chuckles that turned to laughs as he started tickling her, purely for entertainment. After a few moments of her desperate pleas for mercy he let up, now in a fantastic mood. He summoned Teemy to get them some wine.

...

After one of the better dinners he'd ever had in his life, her revenge for his tickling lead to more payback. To which naturally things escalated, with him chasing her around the house and out into the Garden. He was closing in on her when she tripped on a tree root due to the unfamiliar terrain and closing darkness, spilling onto the grass. A flash of fear went through him until her continued laughter calmed him. Instead of tickling her again he merely knelt beside her, studying her form. Nothing seemed to be out of place, except for the grass stains and the disarrayed clothing. The latter capturing most of his attention, until he noticed her watching him, now uncomfortable he coughed. "Err, you ok there miss Granger?"

She smirked, "Hmm, not sure. I might need a trip to St. Mungos."

The wildest thought struck him. "No, I'd prefer somewhere I can look after you."

"Well I have no idea-ARGH! Harry!" She squealed as he suddenly picked her up, bridal style. How is she so light?

"No buts Miss Granger, I know just the place. Now hold on." She looked confused but laced her hand around his neck nevertheless. Harry concentrated and they apparated into the Hall of the Manor, she looked around and opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off. "Don't worry, you'll be looked after here." He started up the stairs.

He shivered as she whispered into his ear. "That's one thing I'll never doubt." Both the Elf made wine, and her pronouncement played havoc with the resolve that held him back from snogging her senseless. But now this seemed to be a competition between them both, so he decided to up his game.

He breathed back, "Oh, you never will have been looked after just like this before." Her intellect connected the dots almost instantly and she squeaked in surprise. Enjoying the effect and feeling quite proud of himself he continued. "In fact, I'll make it a point of personal pride that all your needs are taken care of." He could feel himself turning red as he said and her response didn't help matters.

She kissed his neck. "That's my Harry." Just has he thought he was on the edge of insanity they made it to the huge Oak Double Doors that led to the Master Bedroom. Just as he realised that he couldn't spare a hand to open the doors they swung open to grant him entrance. His lust addled brain barely took notice of this as he crossed the room swiftly and lay her down gently upon the bed. Once he did, a semblance of rationality returned, reminding him that he hadn't actually planned any further than this.

As if she sensed that he wasn't sure of the way forward, she patted herself down then looked up at him. "Why thank you Harry. Let me thank you." And with that she reached up and pulled his head down by the shirt collar into a kiss. He felt slightly uncomfortable in this position, half bent over. But as long as his lips were on hers, he could live with it. Suddenly she pushed him away, he half stumbled back, confused. "I need another shower, thanks to my clumsiness." He watched dumbly, rooted to the spot as she seemingly floated off the bed and stalked towards the bathroom. She was halfway obscured by the doorway when she turned back to him. "Join me Harry." Then she disappeared fully.

Does she mean what I think she means? Shower with her!? But that might turn into... Fuck. The lust in his brain was slowly being pushed aside by nervousness. He had little clue about what she might have been up to in his time away. Maybe her and Ron... Or someone else, that's a conversation we need to have at some point. Tonight... I'll let her decide what she wants. This decision was contrary to how he preferred to do things. Well he figured that was how he liked it at least. After spending most of his life at the mercy of forces beyond his control, taking control where he could appealed to him greatly. Then the sound of the shower running interrupted his bout of introspection, so with his hands fumbling over the hem of his jumper he padded towards the bathroom.

Upon entering what he saw nearly made his heart stop, she was already under the stream. It almost felt like he had intruded on something private, something sacred. His seeker eyes couldn't decide which droplet to follow as each ran down her body, each taking a different route, a different curve. If someone had told him in third year, that he would one day kiss, let alone shower with the incredible girl that rode a Hippogriff with him on the way to save Sirius. He'd have told them to go see Madam Pomfrey. Although... I might have to see her myself right now. His pulse quickened, both comfortable yet extremely nervous as he moved towards her, is if in a dream. He didn't move too far until the fact that he was still clothed hit him, squarely between the eyes. While he struggled with suddenly clumsy hands, he wished that his clothes would disappear, and... surprisingly they did, with barely a soft whoosh to advertise their departure from this realm.

He'd never seen something so exquisite in his life, it wasn't the first naked form he'd seen in his life. But it's going to be the last, he decided. The shower was open, and large. Instead of tiled, it was made of grey stone, the water coming from an old-fashioned shower head. A more perfect frame for the object of his desire would never be found. She faced away from him, seemingly rather resolutely. He took his cue, and stepped under the stream and held her from behind, and simply held her, while he savoured every sensory input that his body could derive from this situation. She leaned back into his embrace. "Hold me Harry." And to his consternation, she guided his hands to her breasts. He felt her shiver. "Your hands are cold."

He lowered them, "Uh sorry."

"Don't be silly," She re-guided his hands be to their rightful place, in his opinion. She purred. "It's been too long."

He rested his chin on her shoulder. "It has."

She turned and placed her hands either side of his face studying him, he could see her gathering her courage. "I'm yours now, make me. Just... Be gentle."

He lowered his lips to within millimetres of hers. "Always... To start with." He added with a smirk. And before she could question him, he pressed his lips to hers. Trying to convey everything to her, just how he felt about her, how he would strive to make her happy, how he would continue to protect her with everything he had. Because she was worth it, the girl that gave him a fighting chance at life and stuck with him through thick and thin. Worth every bit of negative publicity, scorn and jealously of those that thought her unworthy of the Chosen One. They didn't know she was worth it ten times over, infinitely more, worthy of Harry Potter. She deserved the world, and Harry Potter would see to it.

There was no doubt in his mind that they would go all the way, he had to. Not for himself, but for her. Nothing would hold him back. He trailed kisses from her ear, grazing her neck, over her heaving chest, down her stomach until he reached his goal. Everything's going to change, after tonight... And I don't fucking care.

...