Hermione's office
She paces inside the room, her mind repeating the conversation she just had with Jack. And also the way Cho was drooling all over Harry. Hermione counted to ten to restrain herself from swatting Cho's hand of his cheek. She knows she shouldn't be so possessive of Harry, but it's like she can't control these emotions anymore. Thoughts of being with him, of kissing him, of holding him in her arms are all consuming. It's like she can't do anything else. She's barely sleeping because of him. However, she's keeping her distance… it hurts her that he's not being honest. That he's hiding things from her. Again.
And then Cho called her superior by the first name. That set off an alarm inside her head. Not that she's jealous… no, but she suspects the woman has her own agenda.
Harry enters her office without knocking or announcing himself. Edgar is behind him. "I tried to stop him."
"It's fine, Edgar." He nods and closes the door.
She looks at Harry. "So-"
"It was you, wasn't it?"
She feels her heart beating faster. What's he talking about? "What?"
"The superior that made Jack readmit me. It's you." She sighs. "Hermione. What is your job here? Exactly?"
"It doesn't matter."
Harry steps closer to her. "I would like to know."
She scoffs. "Wow, that's rich coming from you, I would also like to know a lot of things, Harry." He lowers his eyes. "If I ask you something, will you answer honestly?" He sets his jaw firmly, not answering. "See? It's a little hard to have a conversation like this, isn't it?"
She waits for him to leave but he doesn't move. And the more she stays close to him the hardest is to resist her crazy impulse of putting her hands on him. She takes a step towards him and then shaking her head takes the same step back. He's watching her.
"Jack assigned me to investigate my own kidnapping." She widens her eyes. Unbelievable. She feels outraged. But she just shrugs and says:
"He's the Head Auror, he must know what he's doing." Harry looks at her as if she'd grown a second head. Then… she knows his expression, knows what's coming:
"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry, I forgot he's your fiance and you got his back in every fucked up decision he makes. By the way, when are you getting married? Am I getting an invitation? I have to say, I thought this wedding would be a reality by now. Getting cold feet, maybe?"
The more she tries not having a reaction, the wider his smile gets. "We're not rushing things. It's a big step." Harry sarcastically agrees. She sighs again, tired. "I hope you find out what happened to you Harry… as if you don't already know."
Harry grunts, annoyed. "Okay, fine. Ask me one question and I promise to answer it truthfully." He raises one finger, "But only if you tell me what is your position here at the Ministry."
"Why are you so curious about that?"
"I want to know if I guessed right. The real answer, Hermione. Not the one you give away saying that you assist the Minister, that you manage things."
She shouldn't tell him. No one - except her and Kingsley himself - knows. Her own assistant has no idea. Her friends don't even imagine. Jack has no clue. "You know, this is a little unfair because I have a million questions for you and you have only one for me."
"Well," he crosses his arms. "Life is unfair, isn't it?" He leans closer to her. "I promise I won't tell anyone." She bites her lower lip, considering. What should I ask him?
"Okay." She says and he smiles. "But, you have to give me a honest answer."
"I cross my heart." He does it with his finger. Her mind is working fast, she has so many questions. However, one keeps bothering her. It bothers me since he left ten years ago. But it's a silly question to make right now, isn't it? And she thinks she already knows the answer… but not for sure. I never had the courage to ask him. "So, tell me, Hermione Granger, are you the Minister?"
She clicks her tongue, staring at him with a shy smile. "Yes."
He clasps his hands. "I knew it!" And to her utter surprise Harry hugs her, lifting her from the floor a little. She returns the hug, her arms going to his neck. She feels good and warm, he's congratulating her, saying that he always knew she would make this far, that she deserves it, that she's amazing. When he releases her, they both have shining smiles on their faces, Harry keeps holding her hands with his. "But why the secrecy?"
"Well, I thought it was for the best. I mean, it would be such an exposition for Laura, and now Lily also. I didn't want her living with this kind of pressure, I think we already have enough of that." She gives him a pointed look and he agrees. "And my friends, the Weasleys, everyone else would treat me differently. I don't want that. At least not for now. I'm young, Harry. You know how a portion of the wizarding population feels about that, and-"
"You're muggle born." She nods, a little emotional.
"I want to feel really comfortable in the position to expose myself and my family, I want to know if it's worth it. And Kingsley loved the idea. He said to everyone else that I'm his 'relations', so everything I do or say is what he's doing or saying Everything meant to him comes to my hands first." She shrugs. "It's working so far, I go around being Minister and people don't even suspect it."
"So, besides Kingsley and you, I'm the only one that knows?"
"Yes, and-"
"I won't tell. I promise. I'm so happy for you. But I think people should know the wonderful Minister they have."
"If I do accept to stay on the position, we'll tell everything. It takes seven years for a new vote and I've been here for four years now, so..."
"And tell me, is it worth it?"
"Yes. It's everything I ever wanted." He hugs her again and this time her arms go to his middle, maybe I can ask two questions without him knowing. She squeezes him with her arms and Harry grunts, releasing her. She rolls her eyes. "I knew it, what happened to you?"
"Is this your question?"
"No. Just let me see, Harry."
"It's nothing, Hermione." She looks angrily at him and he sighs. "Fine."
She watches as he opens his Auror vest and unbuttons his shirt. She swallows hard, feeling a bit hot, but the nasty gash on his left side takes everything else out of her mind. "Harry!" It's stitched up and red, it must be hurting a lot. "Why stitches? Do you want me to perform a spell? I know a really good one that-"
"It wouldn't work." He answers.
"Why?" He shrugs, not answering. "How this happened?"
"It was an accident at the manor."
"You promised you would be honest."
"You said this wasn't your question."
"You're impossible. Can I at least try another spell? It's something I found in a book and… it's different."
"How?"
"It's ancient magic. I want to try it out."
"You never did it? Look, I know you're an excellent witch, Hermione, but-"
"Let me try. Please. It must be hurting."
Harry lowers his head, looking at the wound. "It is. Okay, fine." She smiles and takes her wand. She tries remembering the spell she read about only yesterday - but he doesn't have to know about that - and performs it with clarity and precision. Harry gasps and she watches, mesmerized, the stitches falling out and the wound healing, a yellow light on the spot, permeating Harry's skin.
When it's over it's like the wound never existed. "How? Wow." His hand traces his abdomen and left side, in disbelief. "Hermione, you're amazing." He looks at her. "I had fifty stitches. I wish I'd come here first." As you always should. "Thank you." His hand goes to her cheek and she responds immediately, her hands touching his sides, touching his warm skin. Always so warm. He pulls her and their lips meet. Its brief and sweet. Like coming home after a long and exhausting day.
She stops the kiss. "I believe I have a question to make."
Harry clears his throat. "Yes." He's looking expectantly at her. He's afraid of my question.
"Harry…" She doesn't even know how to ask it. "I- There's something I always wanted to ask you, but I never had the courage and-" She stops. Her hands still on his soft skin. His right hand on her jaw.
"Ask it." His eyes are burning. Burning into her.
"Do you- Have you ever-" She closes her eyes. Why is this so hard? She looks at him, courage taking over her. "Do you still love me? Have you ever stopped?"
His expression is of total surprise. She bites her lower lip, anxious. They don't move. With his left hand Harry guides her right hand to his chest, just above his heart. He opens his mouth, but he doesn't answer her question. Hermione can feel his heart beating fast. His silence ignites her uneasiness "Because I always thought- when you left all those years ago, I was sure you didn't love me anymore and- doesn't matter, forget I even said that-"
"Hermione. Can you feel how fast my heart is beating?" She nods. "Every time I get close to you, every time someone says your name, every time I think about you, every time I see our daughters and realize they're ours, my heart beats like this. Crazy. Wild. In love." His hand still on hers. The other brushing away tears she's not even aware. "I never stopped loving you. Not for a second." He sighs. "I'm sorry you thought I didn't anymore when I left. I'm sorry I put us through that." He swallows hard. "I love you. With all my heart, love. Always."
She lets out a long breath. Her body and soul feel lighter. Her heart is also beating like crazy, like it's going to burst out of her. "Then, why, Harry? Why you never fight for us?"
He widens his eyes. "I-"
But before he can say anything, Draco enters the office in his usual manner. "Oh!" he exclaims and immediately Hermione takes a step back, Harry does too, embarrassed, buttoning his shirt and adjusting his uniform. "I'm sorry! I can come back later if you want some privacy-"
"Stop it, Draco." Hermione cuts him. He has a devilish smile on his face. I'm never hearing the end of this. Harry has his back to them. Hermione knows she's blushing but she can't let that faze her. "What do you want?"
"Uh, no need to be this harsh." He laughs a little. "But it's actually good that both of you are here. Dinner tonight at our place, Ron is announcing something. You're invited."
"Is that all, Malfoy?" Hermione says. Draco smiles even more at the 'Malfoy'. He's enjoying the way he busted them.
"Yes, Granger." He bows. Ferret. "And you, Potter? Heard me?"
Harry finally turns to them, but he's not looking at Draco, his eyes on her. There's something different in his expression, in the way he looks at her. She wants to ask him what is it, but he walks to the door, stopping in front of Draco. "I'll be there." And he goes past him, leaving the office.
Marga's house
Four months ago
It's been a month since Marga rescued him. And took him the whole month to finally feel a little better, to feel like his old self. He's regaining his strength and emotional healthiness. When he was being torture he knew that what he was going through would leave marks, would leave emotional scars. He wasn't wrong. He's been living with them for the past month, trying to find a way to be calm and get a good night sleep. Marga's been helping a lot. She helps him get in touch with his magic and with his body, with his emotions, with his mind.
He still hasn't agreed in helping her, he's not sure if he trusts her story 100%. He couldn't leave on his own before because he was too weak, but now he feels fine, he's sure he can find a way out of the island, back to his life. Back to his daughters. Back to Hermione…
Their connection is wrong. He can't reach her. He tries everyday. Marga tells him that what him and Hermione have is very rare, very powerful. Something they should take really good care of. Cherish. He wonders if she's still looking for him, if she thinks he's dead because of the way their connection is behaving.
Marga hits his head gently with her cane. Harry opens his eyes and is met by the ocean in front of him. He's been meditating on the sand the whole morning.
"Do you want to toast, Potter?"
He looks at himself, his skin is red, burning and aching. Marga murmurs something and the sunburn is gone.
"Thanks."
She shrugs it off. With her cane she conjures up a chair for her to sit and a big umbrella to protect them from the sun.
"So, have you decided?"
"I'll help you, Marga." He can see her smiling. "But I want something in return." She frowns. "I want your help on finding a way out of this prophecy. I want to keep Hermione and the girls safe, I want to… really understand our situation and what it all means."
Marga nods. "I can do that, but I can't make any promises. But are you sure? You know that making this decision you have to be here, you can't leave until your training is complete and you know everything about the organization. You understand that your family, your friends still think you're being held against your will? They can even think that you're dead."
Harry nods. "I understand. But I want this to end. I want to make the Agents pay for what they did, for what they're doing to people. I'm willing to sacrifice these months with my family so I can have my entire life with them, free of threats."
"I'm glad."
It's all she says.
Malfoy Mansion
"Why you never fight for us?" Hermione's question is driving him insane. Not exactly for what it means, but because that's the way she sees me. Like a quitter. That's how their relationship looks like to Hermione. Him giving up on them, over and over again. Is that why she's marrying Jack? Because he fought for her? He can't decide if he should tell her everything and take her in his arms or if he should leave things the way they are. On both he's fighting for her, but in one of them she has no idea of it.
"So," Draco brings him a muggle beer. Harry rolls his eyes before his friend even finishes the sentence, "you were very cozy with Hermione today." He smirks. "Are you telling me about it or…" Harry can't help laughing a little.
"There's nothing to tell."
"You ruin all the fun, you know?"
Harry laughs and they drink in silence for a while. They're out in the back porch of the mansion. The night is cold.
"Look, Harry," He turns to listen to Draco, "I trust you. I'm sorry about yesterday, I can't even imagine what happened to you and I shouldn't judge or anything. I'm happy you're back. It's good to have you around." Harry pats Draco's shoulder. "I know you'll tell us when you're ready." Draco returns the little pat on his shoulder. "Can we talk about Head Auror Jerk? Before Hermione gets here? I hate that guy. He's being ridiculous about you taking part on the investigation. And I mean, Cho Chang? Ugh, I don't like her."
Harry raises his eyebrows. "You don't? I never heard about this."
Draco seems unsure when he answers. "Well, you two seemed very happy together and I didn't want to ruin it by telling you how much I disliked her."
"I wouldn't break up with her because you didn't like her, Malfoy… as much as I appreciate your friendship."
"Very funny, Potter. I already knew that, so it was pointless to say anything. I just… don't like her." Draco makes a face and moves his hand in the air. "You're not getting back together with her, are you?"
Harry widens his eyes. "It hasn't even crossed my mind." Draco exhales. "I mean, we kissed that day at the Burrow. But it meant nothing-"
"You kissed Cho Chang? I can't believe you, Potter! What about Hermione?"
"Draco, she's-"
"Hey, there, you two, where's Ron?" Hermione bursts into the porch.
"Wow, Granger, not even a 'hello, Draco, your house looks beautiful?'" She keeps staring at Draco. "The man of the night hasn't arrived yet."
She doesn't look at Harry and he wonders if it's because of their conversation earlier at her office or because she heard what they were talking about. Hermione grabs a beer for herself and watches the night with them.
"I bet 5 galleons Ron's announcing he's marrying Luna." Hermione says.
Draco scoffs. "We can't bet on something we all know is going to happen."
Hermione laughs a little and agrees with him, saying that it's pretty obvious since Ron made Luna take a week off Hogwarts because he had a surprise. She then adds that she's stunned Minerva allowed this. Harry raises his eyebrows. He had no idea Ron and Luna were even close to something like marriage. He sips his beer. I lost six months of their lives. It was his choice, again. He doesn't regret it, because now he's more prepared, more strong and more capable of protecting the ones he loves. He starts peeling off the beer's label, his mind wandering, getting lost inside his own emotions. He barely notices Ron arriving with Luna, calling to them from inside. It's Hermione's hand stopping him from destroying the label that brings him back to the moment. He raises his eyes at her. Concern, again. She's pleading him with her eyes to tell her what's wrong.
"Harry, mate!" Ron reaches them, hugging Harry and Hermione at the same time, clearly a little drunk. "My two best friends in the whole world." He holds their shoulders and smiles at them. "It means so much to me to see you here, together." He takes a deep breath. "Hermione, I always thought we would end up together, but in my heart I knew I wasn't the one, the same way you were wrong for me, no offense," Harry watches Hermione's amused expression, she's loving the moment, "but we were so young, what could we possibly know about relationships? About sharing your life, your whole being, with someone else?" Ron laughs a little, "No, we were fated to burst, and I'm glad we did! Otherwise Laura and Lily wouldn't exist, otherwise I would never give the love of my life a chance! You know I'm talking about Luna, right?" Hermione really laughs now and nods. "Good. But I love you, you're my best friend and I want you to be very happy." He releases Harry's shoulder and hugs Hermione.
Harry watches as she closes her eyes and returns the hug. After a second she opens them and looking directly at Harry she says to Ron that she loves him too. He gets goosebumps. The way she's looking at me. Ron finally releases her, but her eyes never leave Harry. "Harry," He turns his attention to his friend, "I love you, mate! I'm sorry we drift a little apart, but that never changed things for me, I'll always have your back. I trust you with my life. And I want you to be happy, I want you to find the same kind of happiness I found… even if I think you already know where to find it," Ron, not so discreetly, tilts his head towards Hermione. Harry laughs, a little uncomfortable, he's not sure how she feels hearing something like this. He can't tell if she's blushing from the cold or from what Ron is insinuating.
"Aaaaaand, I'm here to tell you that I'm marrying Luna!" He practically shouts, happiness exuding from him. This moment Luna comes from inside with Ginny. Ron goes to his sister while Luna hugs Harry and Hermione, showing them the beautiful ring Ron got her. Harry's eyes go to Hermione's ring. His chest hurts a little. "Why you never fight for us?" It's like he's watching things unfold in front of him from afar, Luna and Hermione chatting about wedding plans, about dresses and 'maybe we could do it on the same day!' Ginny and Draco laughing and making fun of Ron's emotional speeches. And Harry is just there. Watching their happiness. His first impulse is to leave, to tell them he's not feeling well. But… it's Hermione's loud laugh that gives him a jolt. He deserves it. He deserves to be happy too. With her. He blinks fast, taken aback by his own decision, but it shouldn't be a surprise, he said to her that he still loves her, that he's in love with her, he always has been. Am I not really fighting for her? He ponders. He's doing what he's doing to find a way to be with her… but it's like he's always doing exactly that, isn't it? I'm always trying to find a way to be with her, but what's the purpose of that if I'm never with her? Not really?
He notices they're all heading inside, but he stays there, unable to move. He's consumed with thoughts of them. I risked our friendship first, but then I walked out, I didn't trust her to deal with the prophecy. I never reached out in ten years and when she went to New York I didn't stop her from leaving. I let her go again. When I found out about Jack I accepted it because… it's what she wants, isn't it? I came back for her, to be with her, so why am I not? Why am I not even trying? No, no, I did try, I kissed her, I made it perfectly clear… right? He can't be sure anymore.
He looks at his friends inside the house, Hermione is staring at him. Harry knows she wants to open up his mind to know everything he's thinking. She wants to open up his heart to know everything he's feeling.
"Hey, man, aren't you coming inside?" Draco asks.
Harry nods, entering the house.
Marga's house
Four months ago
"Concentrate, Potter." Marga can be very mean even if she looks like an adorable grandma. She's leading him to a point of exhaustion. For days they've been training like crazy and Harry is already so tired he can't even understand what she wants from him anymore.
When he told her he would help, she said that the first step was prepare his mind, because if his mind was prepared, everything else would fall into place quickly. But what she meant by preparing his mind is keeping him in a meditative state for consecutive days. When he trained with her, years ago, he did exactly the same for only 24 hours… and it was maddening. She wants him to transcend, to see the magic, to see the history behind it, to find its source, but he can't. The most he was able to do was finding every trace of magic around the island. He doesn't understand what she means when she says that he should be able to see the past, to see the future. She's doing it right now. Pushing him to the edge of insanity.
"STOP!" Harry can't take it anymore. He opens his eyes and the sensation feels foreigner. He's sure it's been at least five days since they started this. "Can you even do what you're asking me to do?" It's a genuine question. Marga is in front of him, her cane supporting her.
"Yes." She says. "But I suspect you could do it much better if you tried."
"I am trying." He says between teeth.
"No, you're not. But maybe I'm asking too much of you." She shakes her head, irritating him. "I thought you were ready, but you clearly aren't… so, we'll get back to this when we finish the physical and the magical training."
"What?" He widens his eyes. "I don't think I need those, Marga. No offense."
"Oh, none taken, Potter." She starts exiting the room. "Meet me at the beach in a few hours, I'll let you eat something and sleep a little." She smiles at him and that frightens him more than anything else.
Malfoy Mansion
It's like she's feeling everything at once. She's happy for Ron and Luna. She's angry at herself for the question she made to Harry. She's confused by his answer. She's a little sad after hearing Draco saying that Harry and Cho kissed. She's worried about the way Harry's been hiding things from them. And she's also tired, exhausted. It's been a long day and all she wants is to take a relaxing shower and go to bed. Disconnect herself from the rest of the world.
Her eyes keep going back to Harry. He's quiet. It's like he's not even listening to the conversation, like he's not really there. He keeps rocking the ice cubes on his whiskey. Ron already told them at least five times how he proposed to Luna, Draco complained about the work load he's receiving - she avoided his accusatory eyes that were meant for Jack - and Ginny is doing an amazing job pretending Hermione doesn't exist. She sips her wine. I miss my daughters. She sees Harry closing his eyes and sighing. He gets up and announces that he's leaving, he's tired. He hugs Ron and Luna, pats Draco on the shoulder and gives Ginny a little kiss on the cheek. He then looks pointedly at her, nodding her a goodbye. She wishes their connection was normal, because she's sure he's saying something to her. She clears her throat and uses the same excuse he did to leave.
But Harry doesn't wait for her, he apparates away and she's not sure anymore if he wanted to talk to her or if she only imagined it. I can barely think right now.
Animus Mansion
She apparates inside her house. It's dark and chilly.
She takes a step into the foyer but strong arms embrace her from behind. If she didn't know him so well she would have screamed, but she puts her hands on his without questioning and feels him getting closer to her, his body on hers. He lowers his head and kisses her neck, one of her hands goes to his hair while she inclines her head back to facilitate his kisses. He sucks and nibbles on the junction between her shoulder and her neck, then going to a tender spot behind her ear. One of his hands traces her belly, going south. She moans, anticipating his next move. She closes her eyes when she feels his hand touching her bare skin. It frustrates her a little that she's wearing pants, but he undoes the little button fast enough, giving himself access. His fingers trace the lacy of her panties, provoking her. He moans close to her ear and she can feel his arousal touching her body.
They don't talk. They don't need to.
His fingers finally find her center and she bites her lower lip to suppress her loud moan. It's absurd how much pleasure she can feel from just one touch from him. She's seeing stars. He starts kissing her cheek and she turns her head to the side to give him a proper kiss. Their tongues meet in a messy way, both desperate. He's rocking his hip against her on the same rhythm he's thrusting his finger inside her. Slow and strong. She's wet, burning up. She needs him. She tries turning to face him, but the hand on her waist keeps her in place. He adds another finger. His thumb starts circling her clit and she pulls his hair. He groans against her mouth. Her other hand goes behind her and starts stroking him above his pants. He's aching for her the same way she's for him. She doesn't stop and his movements become erratic, wild. His other hand take one of her breasts, his strong arms pulling her even closer. She can't think properly anymore, her breathing out of control. She's getting there fast, he knows how to do it, he knows exactly what she likes and what she needs. He says her name and she loses it. She opens her eyes and her mouth in a mute exclamation, her orgasm taking over her. She feels herself going limp, but she lazily keeps stroking him. He's kissing her again, his beard giving a nice sensation while they rub their cheeks, feeling the other, reassuring the other.
After a while her breathing is normal again and she's ready to thank him properly. She gives him another kiss, full of promises and desire. He's right there with her, his hands still roaming all over her body. She turns around, looking into his eyes, saying his name. His lips are red from their kisses, but he has a smile on his face. She starts to unbuckle his belt and they laugh a little because she needs both hands to do it. He squeezes her butt, kissing her again.
The moment seems surreal, but then, it ends abruptly.
A large window near them cracks and breaks entirely. Hermione blinks fast and sees a big brick sliding on the floor, a note attached to it. She looks at him. His jaw is tense and he raises his eyebrows at her. She sighs and shakes her head. He nods, gives her another kiss and apparates away.
Inhaling deeply she takes the brick from the floor. The message is written in red, a red that looks a lot like blood: I see you.
She stiffens and tucks the paper inside her robes. Taking her wand out she fixes the window and walks over there. She looks outside, but she doesn't see anyone. She checks the house wards. Everything is in place. The brick still on the floor. She magically takes it upstairs with her. She enters her room and he's there waiting, arms crossed. She gives him the paper and he sighs.
"I should go, right?" He asks. His hair is a mess and she smiles fondly. She doesn't care about the note right now, the same way she knows he's not caring at all since he's still inside her house.
"Yes, you should. But the room is very guarded, there's no way someone is watching or listening to us here." She goes to him and puts her arms around his neck. He embraces her middle. "What was that downstairs?" He raises his eyebrows. "Not that I didn't like it, it was just so unexpected and-"
"I love you." Her heart responds automatically to his words. "And I know you love me." She tilts her head to the side. "I want to fight for us." Her breath hitches, he finally listened.
"Harry…"
"Please," He closes his eyes, "I'll ask you just once… do you really want to marry Jack? Do you really love him?" He seems desperate. She lowers her head, thinking. The answer is easy, but…
"We need to talk." It's not the answer he wants, but he looks a little relieved. "I need to tell you a few things and if you really want to fight for us, I-"
"I know. Let's talk." He kisses her gently and her heart swells.
They just observe each other for a while, the moment between them still running very vivid. "I love you." She says to him. She can't hold that anymore, or pretend it's not the truth. She tried deceiving herself, she tried fighting against it, she tried looking at the future and not at the past, but she realized that, for her, there's no future without Harry. There's nothing without him.
"I missed you so much." He whispers.
They kiss again and fast enough things start heating up, but Hermione stops them. "If we keep this up we're not going to talk at all." He laughs a little and releases her, walking to the other side of the room.
"Is this distance good enough?"
She laughs. "I think so." She sits on her bed. "Okay, I'll go first."
He nods and she starts talking.
Note: I mean... FINALLY.