Prologue
Enveloped in the crimson comfort of the velvet bed draperies, Harry gazed at Hermione lovingly. The glow from his bedside table lamp created a faint luminescence within the curtains, casting soft shadows over her features. She returned his gaze with curious, glowing blue eyes, a faint smile dancing on her lips. Her brown curls framed her face. With a timid grin, Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Hermione buried her face in his robes, her smile widening as Harry leaned forward to kiss her forehead softly. She looked up into his dark green eyes, hardly able to contain her own joy at being able to be so close to him, after months of longing... Their lips met briefly in a soft, innocent kiss, before Hermione sank into his arms and snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. She listened briefly to the steady beating of his heart before sleep overcame her...
He watched her sleep with an overwhelming sense of adoration and love. Her lips were parted as she breathed. A rogue curl had fallen from its place and he brushed it behind her ear with a gentle fingertip. The corners of her lips twitched in a small smile, but Hermione didn't wake. With a deep breath, Harry closed his eyes...
Together at last, the young couple fell asleep in the warmth and security of each other's arms. The curtains were pulled tight around Harry's bed in the Gryffindor dormitory, obscuring them from view. Snuggled close, they slept without being disturbed by either fellow Gryffindor or nightmares.
Enveloped in the crimson comfort of the velvet bed draperies, Harry gazed at Hermione lovingly. The glow from his bedside table lamp created a faint luminescence within the curtains, casting soft shadows over her features. She returned his gaze with curious, glowing blue eyes, a faint smile dancing on her lips. Her brown curls framed her face. With a timid grin, Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Hermione buried her face in his robes, her smile widening as Harry leaned forward to kiss her forehead softly. She looked up into his dark green eyes, hardly able to contain her own joy at being able to be so close to him, after months of longing... Their lips met briefly in a soft, innocent kiss, before Hermione sank into his arms and snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. She listened briefly to the steady beating of his heart before sleep overcame her...
He watched her sleep with an overwhelming sense of adoration and love. Her lips were parted as she breathed. A rogue curl had fallen from its place and he brushed it behind her ear with a gentle fingertip. The corners of her lips twitched in a small smile, but Hermione didn't wake. With a deep breath, Harry closed his eyes...
Together at last, the young couple fell asleep in the warmth and security of each other's arms. The curtains were pulled tight around Harry's bed in the Gryffindor dormitory, obscuring them from view. Snuggled close, they slept without being disturbed by either fellow Gryffindor or nightmares.