I don't own Harry and Hermione but they definitely own my heart. The Harry Potter series belongs to JKR and WB and umm all the Potterheads. This is my second story. Oblivious is in progress but I just thought about this story so decided to write it as well. Oh and the characters' thoughts will be in Italics. Happy reading :)
Harry woke up to the smell of fried eggs, sausages and buttered toast accompanied by the aroma of freshly brewed tea. A familiar, not-so-musical sound hit his ears. Ron was snoring.
"Ron, Harry get up. Breakfast's ready." Harry heard Molly.
Harry smiled. He loved spending time at the Burrow. He didn't have a family but thanks to the Weasleys, he knew what it felt like to have a family. He loved them and they loved him. They loved Harry not The Boy Who Defeated Voldemort. Simply Harry. The Burrow was his second home after Hogwarts.
He went down for breakfast. "Harry dear, there you are! Come on quick. You look weak. Looks like the department doesn't care about the aurors. I'll make sure you become fit before you go back to work.
"You mean make him bulky?" , said Ginny as she entered. She smirked.
She looked at Harry and winked at him. Harry smiled.
" Ginny dear what made you so late? Now come on. Join Harry for breakfast. Merlin knows what's taking Ron and George so long to come down. RON! GEORGE! COME DOWN AT ONCE ELSE YOU WOULDN'T EVEN GET LUNCH!", Molly shouted.
Molly turned to look at table. Harry was buttering the toast whereas Ginny went for sausages. She smiled.
Time flies so quickly. My little Ginny and Harry dear have grown up so fast. Ginny has become a reporter for The Daily Prophet and Harry has become an auror. What will the front cover of The Daily Prophet look like when their very reporter gets married to Harry?
Marriage! she thought. Both Ginny and Harry were of age and it was time they got settled and make Molly a happy grandmother.
She waited for them to finish breakfast and decided to talk to Ginny first. Ron and George had come down. Ron's hair was purple and he was groaning as he came down. George was laughing. They settled at the table and Molly saw Ginny go to the kitchen. She had finished breakfast.
Normally, Molly would have reprimanded her sons but now, having this thought made her realize that talking to her daughter was important than scolding her sons.
"Ginny, I want to talk to you dear."
"I'm listening mum."
"What have you thought about Harry?"
Ginny looked at her. She was confused.
"What do you mean-"
Molly cut her short before she could finish. "I mean what have you both thought about your future, dear? You both have good jobs now. Don't you think it's time you both get settled? Get married and have kids." Molly's eyes were sparkling.
"Well I wouldn't lie if I say I don't want to. Marrying Harry was my childhood dream. It is my dream to get married to him. But well..I haven't spoken to him about this topic. You know? Marriage and all. You know how Harry is. I don't think he's ready to get married. We're both young-"
"Young! That's when people get married, Ginerva! When do you plan to get married? When you're sixty? Now is the time to get married, to enjoy marital bliss, to have lots of kids. And Ginny", said Molly when she noticed that Ginny was about to speak, "I know you and Harry love each other but I don't think that you should keep waiting. There are women pining for Harry. He's working at the Ministry and their are gorgeous ladies who eye Harry. He's an auror. What if he finds someone on his tour and decides to spend the rest of his life with her? Men, my dear, need to be tamed else they lose track and drift away. Harry loves you now but what if he changes his mind in the future? Talk to him dear before it gets too late."
Ginny became serious and rather scared. The thought of Harry marrying someone else made her shudder. She had loved him ever since she was a kid and now that her dream had partially come true ( Harry Potter was her boyfriend), she won't let her dream turn into a nightmare. She loved Harry and wanted their relationship to progress. She didn't want to be his girlfriend. She wanted to be the wife of Harry Potter.
She looked at her mum who put a hand on her shoulder and nodded.
She went outside the kitchen and found Harry sitting on the couch. Ron and George were out in the garden. George was trying his experiments on Ron.
She sat down next to Harry. Molly, instead of exiting the kitchen, decided to stay there and hear their conversation. I'm not eavesdropping on their conversation. I'm just staying here to do the household chores. And it's not my fault if I hear them talk because well, they should speak in a low tone. There's nothing wrong with a mother trying to hear a conversation between her daughter and her future son in law who is also like her own son.
Molly convinced herself that she was right and stood near the kitchen door to hear the conversation.
"Hi", said Ginny and she kissed Harry. Harry kissed her back.
Harry grinned when they pulled away. Ginny smirked.
"Harry I've been thinking. Actually I've thought about it ever since I was a kid but this thought just crossed my mind. We've been in a relationship for quite a time and I want to get married. I think we should get married. We both are financially stable. We've got our dream jobs and now I want to live my dream life. A life with you, Harry. A life with you as my husband."
Harry was shocked. He didn't think that Ginny would discuss marriage with him. Not that he didn't want to marry her but he had never thought about it. He was so occupied with his job that the thought of getting married never crossed his mind.
"Er.. Ginny..I-I don't know. I mean I've never thought about it. We're young-"
"And that's why we should get married Harry. We are young and this is the correct time to get married and to enjoy you know. I don't intend on shagging a seventy year old Harry. Now is the time", said Ginny trying to sound as calm as she could.
Harry contemplated what she said and finally said, "Well..umm..I think you're right." That was all he said.
Ginny got excited and hugged Harry. Molly had tears in her eyes. She was about to leave the kitchen and reach out to them but stopped when Harry began to speak.
"I wonder where Hermione would stay when we get married. I mean whenever we'll visit your place. Hermione stays with you. You share your room with her." Harry smiled.
Molly's face strained. No they are just friends. Hermione is a good girl. She is Harry and Ron's best friend. Yes that's what they are. Best friends.
"Honestly Harry! We're talking about our wedding and the first thing that comes to your mind is Hermione? Merlin! Hermione's right. You're daft." Ginny started laughing.
"Wait, what? Hermione called me daft? Impossible. She can't call me that. I know you're making it up." Harry was startled by this revelation.
"Hey! So you don't trust me?" , asked Ginny taking mock offence.
"I do but in this case, I don't. I know Hermione and I know she just can't say that about me."
"But I'm telling you she did", said Ginny who was enjoying this conversation. She tried to hide her smile.
"No she can't. I've known Hermione since I was eleven. She will call me daft on my face but she will never say that to anyone else. She will never use such a term to describe me to someone else."
"I'm not someone else Harry. I'm your girlfriend and soon-to-be wife", said Ginny.
Molly, who wasn't happy with the direction in which this conversation was going, got out of the kitchen and reached them.
"Mum, Harry and I have decided to get married" , said Ginny beaming at her.
"Oh dear" , exclaimed Molly. She gave a tight hug to Ginny and then to Harry. "I'm so happy and so proud of you both. Harry you're already our family but now you'll officially be a part of our family. We'll make the announcement at the end of dinner tonight when Arthur comes back. I'll invite your brothers as well. Sweet Merlin! There's so much work to do and so less time. Ginny come and help me now." Molly was crying. She was elated.
Harry was waiting for Hermione. He knew he was correct but wanted to hear it from her.
She can't call me a daft. Did she really call me that? No. Certainly not to Ginny. Not to anyone. But what if she said it? Ginny looked me in the eyes when she said it. She won't lie to me. Does Hermione think I'm a daft? Why does she? I've never said anything bad to her. Have I hurt her? I need to talk to her. I should owl her.
And so Harry sent an owl to Hermione asking her to meet him at the Burrow as soon as possible.
Harry opened his eyes to a view of a pink face and light streaming through wild, brown locks.
It was Hermione. She was panting.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione hugged Harry tightly. So much so that he fell back on the couch he was sitting in with Hermione on top of him. "Harry are you alright? What happened? You asked me to meet you immediately. I was so worried for you", Hermione breathed in Harry's neck. Her breath was warm and Harry closed his eyes. Harry massaged her back in circular motions and said, Hermione I'm fine. I just wanted to talk to you..it's just that I couldn't wait for long. I wanted to ask you something. Relax. I'm fine ok?"
Hermione got up and looked at him, relieved. "Oh"
"So what did you want to ask me Harry?"
"Did you call me daft?" , asked Harry.
"I beg your pardon" ,said a bewildered Hermione.
"I'm asking you did you call me daft? Did you say to Ginny that I'm daft?" , asked Harry.
"No Harry. Why would I say so? You're not daft. You're the bravest, kindest and the smartest boy I've had the fortune to meet. And you are intelligent. You got O in Defence Against The Dark Arts. You're a brilliant auror."
Harry started blushing. He was sure his face was as red as Ron's head.
"I'm not as intelligent as you Hermione", said Harry who was being very honest.
"Books and cleverness", Hermione said and then paused. She looked at Harry with a huge smile on her face. Both Harry and Hermione started blushing furiously.
"There are more important things - friendship and bravery", said Hermione after a short pause.
They both started laughing.
"I can never forget that day. Actually I can't imagine my life without you Hermione. What would I do without you? I wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been you-"
"Harry! How many times do I have to tell you? I haven't done anything. I, Ron and others well.. we might have helped but ultimately it's you who did the work. You made the decisions. You faced Voldemort. You fought him Harry. It's you. Stop self deprecating yourself. I wouldn't hear any of this stupid thing now. But tell me Harry. What did you want to ask me? What was so urgent?" , asked Hermione.
"I just asked you" ,said Harry as a matter of factly. "Ginny told me that you said to her that I am a daft." Before Harry could say another word, Hermione landed a swat at his arm.
"Harry you sent me an owl asking me to meet you urgently only to ask me wether I called you a daft or not?" , asked Hermione furiously.
"Er.. Hermione.. it didn't take much time, right? You can go back now. But I know...umm.. sorry", mumbled Harry.
Hermione sighed. "Fine." "Well now that you asked me, I think Ginny's right. You are daft but only when it comes to girls", said Hermione. She giggled.
"What do you mean?" , asked Harry furrowing his brows.
Molly entered the room and was surprised to see Hermione. "Oh dear Hermione! It's so good to see you. You didn't tell me you were coming else I would've saved the sausages for you. But you sit down. I'll make you waffles. I know you love waffles."
"Oh no Mrs. Weasley. I've just had breakfast. I came running here because Harry had owled me." Harry interrupted her, " You didn't run. You flooed in here." He smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes and continued as if she didn't hear him, "He wanted to ask me wether I called him a daft", said Hermione.
"Harry is not daft", said Molly as if this was the universal truth.
"I'm glad you think so Mrs. Weasley because Hermione doesn't", said Harry. He looked at Hermione pointedly.
"You are daft when it comes to girls. Cho Chang, Romilda Vane even Ginny!"
Molly grew uncomfortable.
"You weren't sure about your feelings for her. You didn't know Romilda was pining for you. You don't know anything about girls", said Hermione. She was smirking.
"Well" , said Harry and he took a step towards Hermione. "I don't need to know about girls that don't matter to me. I don't want to know anything about any girl."
He took another step towards her. "But I do know a lot about a girl I met at Hogwarts. I know her more than myself and she knows me more than I know myself. More than anyone else." Another step. "She's saved my life more than once. She's been a part of all my adventures. She's intelligent, brave, passionate and fiercely loyal." Harry raised his hand and rested the palm of his left hand on her right shoulder and the palm of his right hand on her left shoulder.
He looked at her intensely. "She is brilliant. The cleverest witch of our age. She is my best friend. Knowing her is enough for me. I don't need to know any other girl because I know her and that makes me feel complete" , said Harry who was still looking at her with intensely. "Can you guess whom I'm talking about Hermione? Do you still think I'm daft?" , asked Harry.
Hermione was lost. Lost in his words. Lost in his eyes. She became nervous. She forgot to breathe.
Molly didn't like the scene happening in front of her. She didn't know what to do.
Immediately George came in.
"Hey Hermione!"
Harry dropped his arms. Hermione exhaled, being grateful that she remembered how to breathe.
"Hi George", said Hermione anxiously.
Ron too came inside and hugged Hermione.
Molly, for the first time in her life, was glad that her troublemaker son had interrupted someone.
(Her future son in law and his best friend's conversation)
"George, Ron I want to share the good news with you both. Well it's actually Ginny and Harry's right to tell you but I can't control my excitement", said Molly excitedly.
Ginny entered the room but before she could greet Hermione, Molly spoke, "Harry and Ginny are getting married."
"What?" , Hermione, George and Ron shouted in unison.
"Mum didn't you say that we'd announce it after dinner?, asked Ginny who tried to act angry but was blushing nonetheless.
"I'm sorry dear but I just couldn't contain my excitement. But don't you worry. It's still a surprise for your dad and your brothers."
"Brothers?! What are we then? Monkeys", asked Ron.
"Speak for yourself", said George. He smiled.
"Congrats Harry and Hermione. I'm happy for you both", said George as he hugged them.
Molly became furious, Harry, Hermione and Ron were confused and Ginny knew her brother was kidding.
"Harry is marrying Ginny. This is no joke George!", Molly shouted. .
"Oh come on mum! I was just having some fun. Congrats Ginny and Harry." He hugged Ginny and then Harry again.
Ron recovered from his shock and congratulated his sister and his best friend.
Hermione, however wasn't too happy with this news since her best friend didn't have the courtesy to inform her about this important information about his life.
"Harry you sent me an owl and called me urgently. We've been having a stupid discussion since the last fifteen minutes and you didn't tell me that you have decided to get married."
"Hermione I forgot about it and it's not important. What I wanted to ask you-"
Ginny didn't let him finish. "You forgot that we're getting married? Our wedding is not important? What's more important than our wedding, Harry? Why did you owl Hermione?"
Ginny asked him nastily.
'Come on Gin", said George. "Harry and Hermione both work at the Ministry. Must be some work. He loves you and it's just that he's nervous."
Ginny sighed. "You're right", she said. She took Harry's hand and smiled at him.
But Molly knew he wasn't. George was wrong and she had to make sure that what she had started to imagine didn't come true.