A fic only made possible by the encouragement of fellow Harmony discord user Bob49. And another thanks goes to the lovely replicationspell21, another fellow Harmony discord user who helped me come up with the title for this fic. Those who wish to join the H/HR - H.M.S. Harmony Discord server, kindly find the link here: discord . gg / 2GcXw8R (sorry for the spaces, but it's the only way I can post it on here).

Harry kicked out wildly, trying to push himself back to the surface, but merely propelled himself into the rocky side of the pool. Thrashing, suffocating, he scrabbled at the strangling chain, his frozen fingers unable to loosen it, and now little lights were popping inside his head, and he was going to drown, there was nothing left, nothing he could do, and the arms that closed around his chest were surely Death's …

Choking and retching, soaking and colder than he had ever been in his life, he came to, face down in the snow. Somewhere close by, another person was panting and coughing and staggering around. Hermione had come again, as she had come when the snake attacked …

Cold hands were shakily dressing him in warm clothes, Harry realised, as he started to get some feeling back in his body. Yet he did not open his eyes, too afraid it might all be a dream, that he might still be down in the water, drowning in the cold and dark. It was then he heard his saviour sniff and whimper that he finally dared to look.

Hermione was leaning next to him, a look of absolute dread and worry etched on her features.

'ARE YOU INSANE?' she screamed at him, tears rolling down her face. 'DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED SICK I WAS?'

Harry tried to reply, but the words lodged in his throat.

'What the hell is wrong with you, Harry?' she demanded furiously. 'You almost drowned. I'm not even sure how I managed to pull you out of the water, you're so heavy.'

'Hermione, I – ' Harry croaked.

'No. I don't want to hear it, Harry,' she said angrily. 'You cannot just wander off on your own. You can't abandon me like R-Ron did - '

'I'm sorry, Hermione,' Harry said weakly. 'I just thought it was something I had to do on my own.'

'Well, you were wrong,' she said before suddenly bursting into tears and tackling him into a rather clumsy hug. Harry wrapped his arms around her, feeling grateful for the warmth emanating from Hermione's body.

'I thought for sure you were dead,' she stammered tearfully.

'Well, I'm not,' said Harry gently. 'And it's all thanks to you. Again. Thank you, Hermione, really. You're really amazing.'

Hermione sniffed in reply before unclasping him from her embrace. 'You aren't too cold, are you,' she asked quietly.

'No. How come you're so warm?'

'Warming charm,' she said, shrugging slightly. 'I put it on your clothes as well. You were so cold, I was afraid you might catch a cold or something if I cast it on you as well.'

'Thanks,' said Harry gratefully.

'And why on Earth were you only in your underwear?' she asked resignedly.

In spite of everything, Harry felt his cheeks turn red. 'It just seemed like the thing to do at the time,' he said. 'And I didn't want the clothes to weigh me down.'

'Oh. Right,' said Hermione. Harry was rather thankful she did not press the matter.

They sat quietly now, yet the tension had quite not abated. Harry could see Hermione still fidgeting as if she wanted to shout at him more, and only felt ashamed of the worry that he had caused her.

'It's rather beautiful here, isn't it?' he said, in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

'It is,' Hermione nodded stiffly. 'Despite the freezing cold.'

'Yes, despite that,' he said as he caught her eye, finally glad to see her giving him a small smile.

'Are you feeling alright enough to walk back?' Hermione asked him.

'Yeah, I am,' said Harry, yet feeling rather reluctant to get up.

Hermione must have realised how Harry was feeling, since she then asked, 'Do you want to stay here for a few more minutes?'

Harry nodded as Hermione sat down next to him again and nestled against him for warmth. What seemed like an hour passed before Harry finally felt comfortable saying something again, although he knew it was really only a handful of minutes.

'I'm really grateful for everything you do for me, Hermione,' said Harry quietly. 'I don't think I ever say that enough.'

'No, you don't,' said Hermione.

'No, I don't,' agreed Harry. 'And I'm sorry for that.'

'I'm just glad you at least appreciate the help, Harry,' said Hermione, sighing softly.

'Well, I promise to make it up to you. We can go to Australia together when all of this is over. We'll find your parents together and you'll give them their memories back. I promise.'

Hermione stared at him oddly before enveloping him in another warm embrace. Harry felt her sniffle her thanks which he gruffly tried to brush off.

'Thank you,' she said hoarsely. 'You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. And we will survive this, Harry. You will beat You-Know-Who. I know you will.'

Harry jerked his head towards the direction of the locket and sword. 'We can start now, if you'd like.'

To his surprise, Hermione shook her head. 'Tomorrow,' she said. 'I'm honestly too cold and tired. I'd rather be clear-headed when we do it.'

'Are you sure? Isn't it better that we get rid of it now that we have the sword?'

'Harry, just … please?' she said, looking into his eyes. Harry could still see the fear and worry etched into her face and felt another stab of guilt. He nodded, and Hermione smiled at him gratefully.

'Thank you,' she said, squeezing his hand.

'Don't worry about it,' said Harry. 'It's the least I can do after you saved my life again.'

'Just try to not make it a third time, please?' asked Hermione mirthfully.

'I'll do my best,' said Harry, struggling to contain a snigger. 'But I think we both know that I'll do something stupid soon enough.'

'Oh, don't I know it,' said Hermione, a smirk playing on her lips. 'Just try and let me know beforehand so I can mentally prepare myself, ok?' She then pressed her lips gently to Harry's cheek, and nestled her head in the crook of his neck.

What happened next was almost a sort of blur for Harry. It was as if there was an understanding between them, an unspoken agreement of sorts. Not even knowing who instigated it, Harry suddenly found himself kissing Hermione.

He was surprised how soft her lips felt, and how welcoming. It somehow heating him up better than any warming charm ever could. One hand cupped Hermione's face as he deepened the kiss while the other held her body closer to his, and Hermione sighed as she gingerly ran her hands through his messy hair …

A twig broke somewhere behind them, and they immediately jumped apart. Harry quickly snatched up Hermione's wand. 'Who's there?' he demanded as he scrambled to get to his feet. 'Show yourself.'