Author's Note: This will feature a collection of short romance stories featuring various girls featuring many different scenarios and situations where Harry finds love in various places.

First up, what if Harry found out he was a horcrux before the final battle? Well once you hit rock bottom the only way to go is up. Harry/Hermione

Hermione Granger

Harry knew Ron was already really on edge to begin with, but this newest revelation soon proved to be too much for him.

"You're a horcrux!" Ron yelled for perhaps the fifth time, "a bloody horcrux for Voldemort! Do you know what that means?"

Harry took a deep breath and then said, "I know exactly what it means, Ron, it means in order to beat Voldemort I have to die in the process."

Saying such a thing was truly disheartening even to him. Despite having been stuck in a tent, having achieved very little other than to collect one horcrux that they still had no way of destroying, at least he'd still managed to keep at least some hope that they would manage to succeed. Now as Ron was so clearly pointing out, there didn't appear to be any. If he was the only one capable of stopping Voldemort, it now all seemed rather pointless since he'd have to die first. The fact that they had just figured out that he was in fact a horcrux seemed to be the end.

"Stop it, both of you!" Hermione warned, still trying to remain positive, "we can still figure this out. Perhaps we can find a spell or something or-"

"We've only spent months trying to find a spell to destroy horcruxes safely Hermione, we aren't going to find one!" Ron insisted, "Harry is as good as dead and so are we as long as we continue to stay on this foolish mission."

"Don't you dare talk that way!" She insisted, more angry than he had ever seen her.

Ron's behavior might be partially understandable, but he wasn't even wearing Slytherin's locket anymore. None of them were after they figured there really wasn't much point in actually wearing it and dragging themselves down any further. What Ron was saying was all Ron.

"I'll talk however I like," Ron argued, boldly getting into her face, his eyes flashing with anger. Then…Ron raised up his fist and hit Hermione in the shoulder.

In a moment as soon as he realized just what had happened he was already there, shoving Ron out of the way, knowing he had definitely crossed the line.

"You hit Hermione!" Harry told him fiercely.

Ron himself seemed rather shocked that he had done it, not protesting when he was pushed back a few steps and away from Hermione.

"You need to leave," Harry warned him firmly.

The seriousness of what had just transpired seemed to hit Ron at the same time that he realized he'd already made his mind up as to what to do.

"Fine," Ron said after a moment, "I don't want to be here anyway. I'm leaving and not coming back. Good luck with your doomed to fail mission."

At that, Ron quickly gathered up a few things with him watching him the whole time before finally leaving. Once he had gone, he turned towards Hermione to see if she was alright.

"Are you okay?" He asked her gently.

"I'm fine," She said sullenly, her eyes full of tears.

"You don't look fine," He noted.

"He didn't hit me all that hard, it's just…I can't believe he would do it in the first place," She admitted, "or say all those terrible things."

In truth it was hard to believe himself, but he supposed with everything going on, Ron's anger had just built up and built up into the explosion he had just had.

"Well he was already on edge even before we found out about me being a horcrux," Harry pointed out, "he might have left anyway at some point, but I guess this was the final straw."

Hermione then was unable to contain herself as she burst into tears with him going forward and hugging her tightly. She however then winced at the contact.

"Sorry," He apologized now pulling away, "where did he hit you?"

She pointed at her right shoulder, causing him to suggest, "Maybe we ought to have a look at it."

"I wouldn't know any spells we could use on it," She admitted.

"Wow, a spell I know that you don't," He teased her a little bit, earning just a small smile from her. He'd take at least that in this situation.

"How did you learn such spells?" Hermione asked him.

That sobered him up a bit as spells to help clear up bruising and minor injuries were some of the first he had learned at Hogwarts. Having regularly received abuse from the Dursleys meant he was rather keen to learn how to heal himself.

"I'm just a bit accident prone," He told her simply before she removed her robes for him.

He was suddenly then rather aware that Hermione was now clad only in her underwear and he couldn't help but stare a bit. Usually Hermione tended to wear shapeless robes or other clothing, which covered up her figure, but he couldn't remember Hermione being so…well like she was. Perhaps she had just been a late bloomer and gone through a major growth spurt because her breasts definitely looked bigger than he would have guessed and while he didn't know these things very well, her light blue bra a bit too small for them. Then there was the rest of her body to look at, her nice stomach and legs and well…frankly he was staring at her whole body.

She however, as observant as ever caught him staring.

"Sorry," He apologized.

"It's all right," She answered as she sniffled a little from crying. His heart then went out to her, reminding himself just how hurt she was feeling. She didn't need him staring at her like that, especially not now. She really needed his support and comfort.

He turned his attention more towards where Ron had obviously hit her, a nasty blue bruise right on her right shoulder.

Lifting up his wand he cast a spell which immediately caused the bruise to fade and then disappear completely.

He put his hand on where it was to go over his handiwork and make sure it was completely gone.

"Does it hurt still?" He asked her.

"No," She admitted, pleased to see the bruise was now gone, "you did a good job."

He then became aware as he was touching her shoulder at just how…nice her skin felt. He then pulled away, not wanting her to notice him touching her longer than he needed to. Once again she didn't need that.

"I'm sorry that happened to you, but at least you're good as new," He observed, trying to remain positive.

"I'm not sure I am," Hermione reminded him, causing him to feel bad all over again.

At that, she reached forward and hugged him again, once again needing to feel that comfort from another person. He held her back, grateful as well. In truth he was probably struggling just as much as her. While Hermione could try to remain positive, he was now terrified of the fact that he now had to die for the cause no matter what and do it now without Ron. Really all he had left was Hermione and it was that realization that caused him to hold her even tighter.

Yet after a few minutes his mind couldn't help but notice one thing: Hermione was still in her underwear and her breasts were pressing into his chest…which was having an effect upon a certain part of his anatomy.

While he tried to focus on other things, trying to remind himself that she was just his best friend, or that she was in need of real comfort after what had happened with Ron, he had no such luck. Evidently that part of him didn't care. Well hopefully she would at least not notice.

Yet as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes, she saw them glance down in that direction a couple of times.

"Sorry," He apologized again.

"Sorry for what?" She asked, trying to sound totally unaware. Unfortunately Hermione was not a very good actor.

"I think you know why," He stated.

There was then an uncomfortable moment of silence between them before Hermione asked, "do you…really find me attractive?"

"Right now I do," Harry confessed, "maybe not really before but right now I do. Maybe it's just partially what just happened with Ron though. I just was so angry when he hit you and…I care about you Hermione."

He wasn't sure just what he had meant by that last part, but she then squeezed him tighter, resting her head on his shoulder and admitted, "I care about you too Harry."

That felt good to hear, but he also had to remind her and himself of the facts, "you shouldn't care as much about me Hermione, it would be better for you. Ron was right about one thing. I'm going to die one way or another. Perhaps it might even be better if you left as well."

Saying that nearly broke his heart, but he still felt the need to say it.

She looked directly into his eyes and said firmly, "I'm not losing you or leaving you Harry, ever! We're going to find out a way and whatever way that is we're going to do it."

He however just shook his head and said, "Sorry, you're right, I can't think that way. Of course there is a way."

If nothing else, they could at least try to remain positive.

Another moment of silence existed between them as they continued to hug before Hermione noted, "it doesn't seem to have gone down any."

Realizing what she was referring to, he said, "Yeah, I guess not. I guess you attract me more than I ever realized. I hope that is okay, it feels kind of embarrassing actually."

"You don't need to be embarrassed," She argued, "I mean to be honest you've always attracted me too."

"Really?" He asked incredulously, "I always thought that you and Ron might-"

Hermione pulled a weird face and admitted, "oh no. Some people tend to assume that because we fought a lot it was unresolved sexual tension, but really at least for me it was really just because we had a hard time getting along sometimes."

"I'm sorry," He told her, feeling guilty since they had still stayed friends for most of the time really due to him, "I know that must have been hard. I'm not sure how you feel about this but I really don't think after what happened I can see Ron and I ever being able to come back from that and be friends again."

"You've said that before," She reminded him, noting the many times he and Ron had fought.

"Yeah, but he crossed the line this time," Harry answered, "he hit you and if he hit you once, he'll likely do it again and I'm not putting you at such risk. You're my best friend and I care about you more than anyone."

To his complete surprise as well as hers, she then leaned in and kissed him on the lips quickly before pulling away.

"I'm sorry," She tried to apologize, looking her characteristic a bit nervous Hermione self, "I don't know what came over me."

"It's alright," He told her, echoing what she had had to say when he had needed to apologize earlier, "I think both of us aren't really sure how to respond in a situation like this."

Hermione however was a bit curious as she questioned, "Surely you and Ginny must have-"

"I don't think Ginny every made me feel like this," He admitted, earning a warm smile from Hermione.

This gave her the courage to then say, "I don't think I've felt this way either, but we might want to think this through rationally. I mean we are best friends and we wouldn't want to ruin that."

"No," He agreed, "I don't know what I would do without you."

He knew he needed Hermione, now more than ever. Yet as he looked into her eyes, he also realized he needed something even more from her. Besides he felt sure that at the very least they would always be friends even if things didn't go well.

So finally and with great trepidation but also excitement, he leaned in and kissed her. At first neither of them reacted, but then their lips began to move of their own accord as he savored her taste. She was absolutely delicious as they deepened things, with him feeling like he never had before. This was amazing, this was incredible, this was…so Hermione.

When they finally broke apart, they found themselves left breathless as they stared at one another.

"So that was…." He tried to say.

"Yeah, I'm not really sure any of the books I read on the subject properly explained that," Hermione admitted.

He couldn't help but grin and say, "Some things you really can't learn from books."

"It might sound crazy of me to say, but I think you're right," She agreed as she leaned in to kiss him again, which he eagerly accepted.

HORCRUXHORCRUX

That night he had another nightmare, he often had them nowadays but this one was particularly bad, dreaming about getting killed in various ways all while Ron glowered over him telling him "I told you so."

He must have screamed as he violently woke up, causing Hermione to come running over to him.

"Another nightmare?" She asked.

"Yes," He admitted, "just dreaming about dying and Ron."

At that Hermione got underneath the covers of his bed and then held him, which he gratefully returned.

"Thanks Hermione," He told her gratefully, kissing her briefly before trying to relax. Neither of them said anything after that, just continued to hold each other until both of them drifted off to sleep.

When he awoke, he felt almost immediately like that was the best sleep he had ever had. It had been nightmare free and for the first time in a while he felt totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

Hermione was still asleep, but he just continued to hold her and watch her sleep. She really was beautiful he couldn't help but think. How he had never noticed before he wasn't sure, but he felt that way now. Her beautiful blue eyes, flawless pale white skin, her oh so kissable lips, it was all there and that was just her face. Then there was the rest of her currently covered up by the blanket.

He was unable to resist leaning over the top of her head and kissing her awake. When she did wake up, her eyes flashed with surprise briefly before she remembered just what had happened yesterday.

"Good morning," She told him before stretching out.

"Good morning," He answered.

A moment of silence came between them and then she asked, "so to make sure I have this straight, what exactly are we anyway?"

He got what she was getting at, and it was a good question since he had been wondering that too as he responded, "well what do you want us to be?"

She seemed to think for a moment before she suggested, "well this is a rather unique situation but according to some of the books I've read…"

"I don't care what the books say, I want to know what you have to say," He reminded her.

"I want to be your girlfriend Harry," She told him boldly.

"I'd like that," He agreed instantly.

"Really?" She said in obvious delight, "you'd like to be my-?"

"Boyfriend," He finished for her, feeling the need to say the word himself, "yes I would. I mean why shouldn't we? We've always been best friends but it's clear we find each other attractive now and frankly…I need this. With everything going on I really think I need this, to find some happiness in this life and you make me happy."

She responded by kissing him again and then saying, "I need you too Harry."

That sparked another long make-out session with their bodies pressing up against each other and leaving him very turned on. She could likely feel his erection again, but he chose to just ignore it and continue kissing her.

Finally however he was forced to readjust it in his pants.

"Do you need to go take care of that?" She asked him, taking notice of the action.

"Maybe later," He told her.

"You can think about me…when you do it I mean," Hermione told him.

"I'm pretty sure I'm only going to be able to think about you from now on," Harry responded earning a smile from her.

Even so, she commented, "I'm sure there must be other more attractive girls out there than me."

"Not like you," He answered, "I like your face…and your long bushy brown hair…and your eyes…and legs…and bum…and well everything about you."

"What about my breasts you were ogling so much yesterday?" She inquired.

"Oh, those too definitely," He admitted, "I just didn't realize they were so…well big."

She sighed and said, "I think they were always just a little bit bigger than average but after my recent growth spurt they've gotten even bigger. I was trying to cover them up and hide them as much as I could though."

"Why?" He asked her.

"I just didn't want to get that kind of attention, first of all not from some of the creepy guys from school and then more recently not from Ron. He kept…looking at me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable," Hermione admitted.

"I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable," He answered.

"It's okay, it doesn't bother me at all when you do," She insisted, "you can look at them or me as much as you want to."

"Does that mean I get to stare at you all day every day?" He teased.

"I think you'd get bored of doing that pretty quickly," She pointed out.

"I'm not so sure about that," Harry answered before going back to kissing her as their bodies pressed into each other.

With no time constraints on them to do other things neither of them saw any reason to get out of bed for a while and they made full use of it as it caused a long makeout session.

Afterwards however he asked her, "Do you think we're moving too fast?"

"No, do you think we're moving too fast?" She questioned back.

"No," He admitted before sighing and saying, "I'm just surprised by just how much…I want you. I think it might be partially because we've known each other for so long and are only just now acting on our feelings but I want to-"

He never got to finish because Hermione was already going back to kissing him and what was even better was she was putting his hand on her left boob.

Taking that as a sign he could go further he did go further…all the way further as it turned out. An hour later and they both lay there naked on the bed, exhausted from their lovemaking.

"So that was…" He tried to say.

"Incredible," She agreed.

Harry rubbed at his scar and commented, "I think he isn't very happy about whatever he just got from that from me."

"You mean he picked up on us having sex?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," He admitted worriedly, "does that bother you?"

She thought about it and then said, "Well I think anything that causes him pain we should do. In which case I think we should have a lot of sex…over and over again."

He smiled and said, "Well who knows? Maybe Dumbledore was right about love being the power needed to stop him."

It took some work and a lot of sex, an awful lot of sex in many different ways as it turned out Hermione was eager to try them all in the books she had read, but eventually all those horcruxes and Voldemort himself reached the breaking point in destroying themselves. All that was needed was the exact opposite of splitting souls: creating a new one. The exact moment: the conception of Harry and Hermione's first of many children.