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New York, June, 2011

The relaxing bath and the big bathtub from the hotel are not enough to calm her nerves. She feels on the edge. Of exactly what she doesn't know and that frustrates her even further. Why is always like this around him? Or when something involves him? It's like I can't think properly. She sinks her head as she lets out a little scream.

Damn you, Harry Potter. Damn you and your smooth hair. Your full mouth. And your breathtaking eyes!

Hermione is also worried about Laura, they didn't have a chance to talk much and she's curious to know what Laura thinks about her father and sister and how she took this information from Lily at Camp. Yes, Lily told her everything but she has a lot to tell Laura too, and mostly she wants to hear her. She sighs. I should have told her ages ago.

She left his apartment alone. Lily lived there after all and Laura wouldn't leave for nothing. Ron was catching up with Harry and since Ginny and Draco were soon leaving he decided to stay. She just couldn't stay in Harry's presence anymore. It was too painful.

When she said they were leaving for New York, Lily said they didn't have to warn Harry or anything, but Hermione was against her daughter's plan... at least at first, because she was an adult and wanted to send an owl alerting him that they were coming. However, once again, she acted like a coward. Deep down she didn't want him to know because if he didn't know she would have the upper hand, showing up like that. And she needed it, desperately. So, when Lily let them inside the apartment Hermione held her breath, waiting to see him, hoping. But they weren't there. She was a little relieved and disappointed at the same time.

They waited for more than half an hour, so Lily had all the time in the world to show Hermione around the beautiful apartment. Lily showed the living room, the kitchen, Harry's study, her playroom, her bedroom, all the four bathrooms, the two guests room and Harry's master suite. Hermione tried to be nonchalant, forced herself to act normal but when she saw their pictures… Harry, Lily, Draco, Ginny and little Dominic, her heart shattered all over again. Yes, she had this kind of pictures too, but it was different seeing them at Harry's place, it was too much for her to finally see his life after so many years and have it rubbed on her face how she was not a part of it. Maybe he would feel the same looking at the pictures she had in her house. Maybe not.

Apart from the pictures, all traces of Harry in the apartment were a punch to her stomach. His things, his robes, his scent, his mess that made sense. It almost drove her crazy. All the way Ron watched her closely. Hermione knew he was waiting for her to crack, but she wouldn't, of course not. She could deal with this, obviously. The fact that she was trembling was a detail.

The fact that she almost fainted when they heard voices coming from the front door was just another insignificant detail. She forced herself to be prepared. This wasn't about her or Harry. This was about the girls. Their daughters.

But nothing was enough to prepare her for the sight of him after so many years. He was as handsome as ever and she had a few seconds to watch him without him noticing. Her heart rate was through the roof, she was sure of it. Memories invaded her mind, screaming at her how much she'd missed him, how much she wanted to be in his arms, how much she always believed they were perfect for each other. And when he looked at her, the way he looked at her... she felt her legs almost giving in. She was sure no one could feel so many emotions at the same time. Love, longing, desire, anger, resentment, hurt. Everything. He made her feel everything.

He made her feel alive.

Hermione hadn't noticed how much on automatic she'd been living her life, doing her things, going through the motions. The moment she saw him something clicked inside her and she started living again. And in that moment she knew she was lost. She saw it in his eyes too. The same longing and love, the same fire.

And she immediately thought she couldn't go there. Not again. She decided she wouldn't. She had someone. And her priority at the moment couldn't be her complicated relationship with Harry. She had to think of her daughters and their well-being.

A few minutes alone and they were already disagreeing. She couldn't understand why after ten years Harry still acted like that: sure that a Voldemort follower would barge into their lives and end his happiness. Yes, okay, maybe he had his reasons, but what stopped that from happening in the States or in England? For her, it didn't make any sense. And the way their magic cracked… she felt it deep inside her. It also brought memories.

She emerges from the tub when she hears Ron's voice in the room. She puts on her bathrobe and steps out of the bathroom, hair wet.

But she freezes when she notices he's not alone. Harry is there also, and Lily and Laura.

"Oh" Is all she can say when they all turn their heads to look at her.

Her eyes meet his head on. She feels hot. Suddenly very aware of how naked she is underneath the robe. And how he slowly notices it too. His eyes undressing her in a way she knows very well. She sees him swallowing hard. She feels hotter.

"Mum, we didn't want to leave you alone!" Laura says.

Both girls come to her side and she finally averts her eyes from Harry's, for the first time really acknowledging Ron also. She feels dizzy.

"Sweetie, it's okay." She hugs both and her heart swells from happiness. To have both of them in her arms is the best feeling in the world. And the only thing that matters now. "If you want to sleep at yours dad, it's okay. But tomorrow you both sleep with me!" She tries smiling a little.

"In fact, Hermione," Harry says "there's no need for you and Ron to stay here at the hotel. We have enough room at our place, right, Lily?"

Hermione narrows her eyes at him. Is he crazy? Her face seems obvious because Laura says:

"Pleeeeeeeeeeease, mum! We can all stay together! Please?"

"Yeah, Hermione, I don't see why not!" Ron says.

Hermione already knows that just staring at someone doesn't kill, because if it did Ron would be dead by now. She sighs. Laura and Lily look at her, anxiously. Harry looks everywhere but her.

"Yes, okay. Let me arrange my things. Thank you, Harry." She murmurs.

Both girls scream in delight. And before Hermione disappears inside the bathroom again she catches Harry's eyes following her. A strange look on his face.

12 Grimmauld Place, December, 1998

"Harry, it looks awful."

"Ouch, Hermione. You're my best friend, couldn't you lie?"

They are both looking at the Christmas' tree Harry insisted on decorating. After months of hurt and sorrow, they needed to have a bright Christmas and Harry wanted to be an active part of it. Molly embraced his idea, all the Weasleys would be bringing the food, Hermione would be helping decorating and also cooking, and everyone was going to spend the holiday in Grimmauld.

Harry was supposed to decorate the tree.

"Honestly, Harry, you had one job." She laughs a little.

He lets out a loud laugh, following hers. "Please, can you help me then? Since I suck at this?"

Hermione looks at the tree. It really is awful, but if she takes a closer look she can see that the tree just looks… sad. She frowns. It's probably the way Harry feels also. She squeezes his hand a little and nods. With her wand she rearranges the ornaments and everything seems brighter. He squeezes her hand in return.

"Perfect." He whispers.

The silence between them stretches, but it's not uncomfortable. It's peaceful, it's right. But then… Harry releases her hand, moving away from her. Hermione notices he seems unsure of something, she tries asking him without words, but he avoids her eyes.

"What, Harry?" She finally asks.

They are alone at Grimmauld and she knows he can't escape her question. He's been different with her. Especially when they're alone. He always finds an excuse to leave. But Hermione is tired of this. She needs answers. He lowers his head and turns away, walking towards the stairs.

"Harry, please. Tell me what's wrong." She pleads.

He stops and turns to face her. An emotion she never saw in his eyes stares at her. She can also see his internal conflict, so she takes a step in his direction and pleads again, her 'please' almost a whisper.

"I-" He stops. He runs his hand through his hair and exhales loudly. "How are things between you and Ron?" He says fast, as if afraid of the question. Or the answer.

Hermione is taken aback. "What?" He keeps staring at her. "Why do you ask?" He doesn't say. "Things are fine between us, Harry." It is the truth.

"Are you two together? Like, really together?"

She squints at him. "Well, we were waiting to tell everyone, after Christmas, that we decided to be just friends, I mean… Molly was really rooting for us, she's gonna be a little upset, I guess." She shrugs and stares at him. It's almost like he's wearing a mask, she can't understand what is going through his mind and this unsettles her a little. "Why do you ask, Harry?" An alarm goes off in her head. It's a dangerous question, she knows.

He looks down and then back at her. And now she sees something different in his expression. Certain. She holds her breath. "I ask because I wanted to know if Ron was going to punch me for trying to kiss his girlfriend."

Time stands still and she's unsure if she heard him right, but as he takes a few steps closer to her, she realizes he really meant it. She raises her hand to stop him.

"What are you doing, Harry?" She asks softly.

"I'm not sure." He takes her hand in his and leans closer to her. "I was hoping you could help me figure it out."

His face is an inch from hers. But he doesn't move, he's waiting for her permission, fear and hope mixed in his expression. Hermione's heart beats wildly inside her chest, she's sure he can feel it through their intertwined hands. She calculates the situation. He's her best friend. He's her rock. He's her free fall. He's the center of her life since she was eleven. And he never showed this kind of interest in her. Why now? Because he ended things with Ginny and wants to kiss someone else? There's just too much at stake.

"Stop thinking, Hermione. I can almost hear the gears inside your head."

He's so close. She hears and feels his words on her face. Their eyes never leaving each other's.

"What are you afraid of?" He asks.

Is she afraid of something? She's not sure… "What if we hate it? And it ends our friendship?"

"Aren't you curious to find out? You can't say you never thought about it."

She really can't. She's been wondering how it would be to kiss him since forever. "But-"

"But, what?"

"What if we love it? And it also ends our friendship?" She looks down. "There's nothing more precious to me in the world, Harry."

He lifts her chin with his fingers. "Nothing can end our friendship. Nothing. No one. Ever." He smiles and she follows. "Consider this a… study." He raises his eyebrows.

"A study?" She asks smirking. His fingers trace her jaw and his hand settles on her neck nudging her a little closer.

"Yes, a study to find out if we are… compatible." His eyes blaze at her.

"I guess I can accept that… I mean, for knowledge, right?"

For the first time she's the one leaning closer as they finally close the gap between them. It's everything she imagined. He's gentle and at the same time intense. He could devour her with a simple kiss and at the same time make her feel like the most important woman in the world. She can feel everything in a frequency she never thought of. His tongue, his lips, his hands on her, the way he moans a little against her mouth, the way his scent involves her. She feels electrified. A deep and forgotten desire rises inside her. She wants him. Badly.

He holds her firmly against him. She feels lost. Lost and found. It's like they click. Like two pieces of a puzzle that finally found their place on that bigger picture. She feels like crying. And shouting. And smiling.

But right now, she's burning. He's the one setting her on fire. She takes a step back.

"Harry…"

They both breathe heavily. He holds her by her hair with one hand, the other at her waist while both her hands squeeze tight the front of his shirt.

"I guess…" he says. "I guess it's a perfect match."

She doesn't guess. Hermione already knows.

New York, June, 2011

It was Laura's idea. Harry knew Hermione wouldn't say no to their daughters, but to actually have her sleeping two doors away from him… he sighs.

Is she thinking about me?

Ron said she has someone. A serious someone. And Laura likes him. Harry imagined he would be happy for her, happy that she moved on and found love, happy that his daughter likes the guy too. Yes, he imagined. But when Ron said it he felt his blood boiling, an emotion so deep inside him, not properly jealousy, more like an emptiness. A void. He felt sad. A thought crossed his mind and he immediately tried to push it from his head, but it was too late: Have I lost her forever? He didn't want to think like that because if he did… it meant that he'd put his life on hold all this time, waiting, hoping for the day he would see her again, be with her again.

Harry keeps staring at the ceiling. He's currently with someone and throughout these years he had many dates, many girlfriends... he can't deny that, but none felt real, serious. Emotionally he couldn't connect with them and he always figured it was because his number one priority was Lily, not himself, but now… now he's not so sure anymore. Had I been lying to myself all these years? Maybe. He knew there was no one like Hermione.

Am I still in love with her?

He groans at his own question. He couldn't be. Not after so long. After everything. And even if he was… she had someone. And they've been less than 24 hours together again and they already fought over the same thing that broke them apart. Harry knew she had her reasoning about the subject and she wasn't wrong, but he never told her everything that happened that night… Maybe if I had… what if I do?

No. No. Even if it changes something for her it wouldn't be fair. We have our lives now and that's the way it should be, that's the way things worked out for us.

He closes his eyes, partly satisfied with his conclusion. Him and Hermione as a couple is a turned page in his life. They had their chance and it didn't work out. And he's not in love with her. It's absurd to think that after so many years. Yes, yes, absurd. They only have to find a way to deal the best they can with Lily and Laura. They are the priority.

As he falls asleep his last thought is of Hermione and the first time they kissed.

"Got it?" She hears Ron's voice coming from the kitchen.

"Yes, yes." Laura and Lily answer in hushed tones.

Hermione enters the room and is greeted by an enormous amount of food waiting for her. Both girls smile at her. "Mum! We made you breakfast!" Laura says.

Hermione moves closer to them, kissing and holding both. Then she looks at Ron. He has a strange look on his face, a mischievous one. Oh, no. She scowls at him.

"What?" He asks. And smiles. Oh, no, no, no.

"Morning, everyone."

She turns her face to look at Harry. His hair is wet from an early shower and he looks eatable in his dark jeans and white shirt. Control yourself. She takes a deep breath.

He kisses and hugs their daughters the same way she just did as they offer him the breakfast they made. She can't help but smile fondly at the scene in front of her. The way Harry put his arms around them protectively, the way they smile at him in return. It's just so domestic, so natural. It seems right. Her chest hurts and she does her best to hold back a few tears. He's the one that left. The thought invades her mind. She knows it's unfair to think like that, but sometimes she can't help it. She clears her throat.

"Morning, Harry, can we talk?"

He looks at her and nods. "We can talk in my study."

"Come back soon you two, we have a surprise, don't we?" Ron says to them and the girls.

They nod excitedly. Hermione just follows him to the study.

He doesn't want to argue with her again. Not so soon at least. They stand in the middle of the room, his hands inside his pockets. She crosses her arms. She's again wearing a beautiful summer dress. Light, colorful and flattering to her body. Her adult body. Harry's eyes move without his consent over her. He always had a thing for her legs, so long and lean and-

"Harry." His eyes snap to her face. She has one eyebrow raised. Her full and beautiful hair, that he knows is very soft, is like a frame to her delicate face. He feels a little hot. Must be the summer. Right. "Look, I'm staying here for a week and I don't want to argue again like we did yesterday. We're both adults and I know we can solve everything out without going for each other throats, right?"

He nods. "Yes, yes. You're right. I don't want them to think that we can't even be in the same room without yelling at each other."

"Exactly."

"Yes."

They measure each other out. "So," Harry asks. "How do you want to deal with things?"

"We obviously have a lot to discuss, but I think that we should enjoy these next days ignoring our problems, just acting friendly and all. What do you think?"

"You suggest we act like best friends?"

"Like civilized adults."

"Fine, okay. Sure."

"Just like that?"

"Yes. I'm thinking about them, Hermione. They deserve to enjoy their parents together without them hexing each other. A truce, then?"

He extends his hand to her. Waiting. The scene painfully familiar to one that happened ten years ago when he suggested they made an unbreakable vow. I'm glad she didn't accept.

She takes his hand. "A truce. But the day before our departure, we talk. Sounds fair?" He squeezes her hand and nods.

A second goes by… two, three. They're still holding hands. She stares at him and he's sure she's felling the pull between them. Just like when we first kissed. He caresses her hand with his thumb and that startles her. She releases his hand and looks down, turning around to leave the study without another word.

He runs his hand through his hair.

Shit.

The surprise was a picnic. A mundane and common activity, something that should be normal and enjoyable between a family and their friends. Except they weren't a real family, were they?

Hermione and Laura, along with friends and family had many picnics back at home, and they were very pleasant, fun, easy. For Hermione they seemed perfect, really. But now she feels uncomfortable. She thought those picnics perfect because she had nothing to compare them to. Now she has. It guts her.

Ginny, Draco, Dominic, Lily, Laura, Ron, Harry and her sit at the park's beautiful grass. A spell around them allowing them some privacy and much needed space. The way they talk and laugh as if ten years were never between them, as if their lives had stood still all this time, waiting to start again, is something she's not ready to deal with.

She watches as Laura circles Harry, touching and huging him with intensity. Hermione is almost a stranger to the little girl, Harry is the center of the universe right now and Hermione understands it. Lily on the other hand doesn't leave her side. Both girls are trying to make up for the lost time and as Hermione hugs Lily she dares dream of a life where they can all be together.

"I just can't believe it! The Weasley's gene should be stronger. Come on!" Ron says to Ginny and Draco as he chews.

Draco laughs loudly. The moment Hermione laid eyes on Dominic she knew Ron wouldn't accept the blond hair. Ginny has Dominic on her lap, her hands stroking gently the topic of discussion.

"I like the blond, really." She says to Ron.

"I laughed so much when this kid was born, Ron, you have no idea!" Harry says, laughing also.

"Harry is ridiculous, honestly, I was recovering from giving birth, you know, this amazing thing women are capable of doing, and the first thing he said to me was 'the kid is blond'." Hermione laughs without restrain. "I was appalled."

"Because he was blond?" Hermione asks.

"No! Because Harry had no sense of self preservation, I could kill him at that moment, seriously, you know how extremely overwhelming giving birth can be," Hermione senses Harry's eyes on her. "And he goes and says that as if it were some kind of absurd!"

Hermione looks at Harry briefly. He has a smile on his face, but his eyes never leaves her as he defends himself "I just thought it extremely funny." He shrugs a little.

Draco takes Dominic from Ginny's lap and hugs the boy, kissing his son exaggeratedly, making him laugh. "It's not our fault we're extremely charming, right, son?" The boy agrees with him.

"How's everyone back in England?" Ginny asks Ron and the fact that she didn't say back at 'home' sounds wrong to Hermione's ears. Of course, her home is here now… so as Harry's.

And as Ron begins to tell them everything about family and friends, Laura comes to her side, finally releasing Harry.

"Mum? Can we talk?"

Hermione was waiting for this. She's been preparing since they arrived in New York. "Of course, sweetie." Hermione takes Laura's hand and moves them a little further from the others so they can talk without interrupting their conversation. She knows Harry and Lily are discretely watching and monitoring them, as if afraid they would disappear.

"So, I guess you want to talk about your father…" Hermione begins. The massive guilty of hiding the truth from Laura already crushing her. The girl sits on her lap and hugs her tightly.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm not mad or anything. I know History, mum, I know dad was afraid of us getting hurt and I understand what you did-"

"Laura-"

"Please, I don't blame you or him or anyone. I was never unhappy with you, with the family you and I had, with the Weasleys and G'ma and Grandpa. Now I'm just happier. Dad, Lily, and aunt Ginny and uncle Draco and Dominic were just a missing piece that completes everything now."

Hermione has her mouth open. She stares at her daughter. She shouldn't be surprised by how much right and rational her daughter is, but she is. The way Laura puts things is so simple. Just more people to love and to love you back. Is that easy, isn't it?

"I'm just-" Hermione brushes a few tears from her own eyes. "I'm just sorry I never told you, I should have."

Laura hugs her again. "I don't mind. I love you, mum."

"I love you too, pumpkin."

Hermione is crying but she doesn't care. She feels like a ton had been lifted from her shoulders. She can't tell how long they've been lost in their embrace, but after a while she feels another pair of arms hugging her from behind and even with her eyes closed she knows it's Lily.

"I love you, Lily." She says.

"Love you, mum."

Hermione knows she won't be able to be apart from any of them. She doesn't care she's not the only one making these decisions.

The three of them stay inside their own new world for a while, laughing and sharing experiences. Laura is excited with her impending departure for Hogwarts and Hermione feels Lily asking her with her eyes to talk to Harry, to convince him to let her go too. Hermione reassures her with a nod.

"Who's that?" Laura suddenly asks.

Hermione, who had her back to the others, turns around and sees they are all on their feet, greeting a woman and a little boy about Lily and Laura's age.

"Uh, I think that's dad's current girlfriend!" Lily answers. Hermione freezes. "And that's Tommy! He's nice, come." Lily takes Laura with her and they join everyone else.

Hermione is still trying to comprehend. She watches Harry and the woman. She's a beautiful woman, she admits to herself. Harry catches the woman's hand in his and brings it to his lips, kissing it gently. It's like a stupefy is hitting Hermione's chest. I shouldn't mind, I shouldn't mind! I don't, I don't mind. Ginny is watching her with a funny face. Hermione finally gets up and goes to them.

"Oh," Harry says. "This is-"

"Hermione Granger, Lily's mother, you are?" She extends her hand and ignores Ron's smile.

The woman's replies. "Daisy Nonie. Harry's girlfriend." She doesn't take Hermione's hand, she just hugs Harry's side and gives a dashing and poisonous smile in Hermione's direction.

Hermione already hates her.