Chapter 6: Love Is Always the Best Remedy.
Hermione started to toss and turn in her sleep. Her forehead was beaded with sweat. She was standing in a small cramped room, it was cold and she couldn't see a thing. She started to shiver when she felt his hands running up and down her sides and holding her hands, his hot lips and teeth tearing at the skin on her neck, the evil sound of his voice whispering in her ear. It was then when she saw his light blue, cold eyes in amongst the darkness. He grasped her wrist and threw her on the floor. He advanced upon her shivering form and bent over her and…
Hermione screamed out loud. Harry awoken from his sleep and rushed to Hermione's room. He saw the moonlight illuminate her skin. The eerie silver light of the moon, made her skin look pale. Hermione sat up wide eyed with tears forming, she was shivering and her long hair looked over her. She felt cold, and the vest top of her pyjamas didn't help her. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked at the strong hand and then along the strong arm, into Harry's face. Harry kneeled beside her on the bed.
"Ha-a-rry," she stuttered,"it wa-a-s, Mal-…" Hermione stuttered and the cried out fully. Harry held her in a protective embrace.
"It's alright Herms. I'll personally make sure Malfoy doesn't ever come near you again." Harry whispered confidently at the shivering girl he held in his arms.
"Don't leave me tonight Harry," Hermione begged as she sobbed onto his shoulder.
"I won't." Harry replied soothingly.
With that he lay under the covers still holding the shivering girl, running his fingers through her long brown hair and rubbing her back comfortingly. Within a few minutes, the shivering girl stopped to feel cold and relaxed a lot more. She crawled deeper into Harry's arms and her foot rested soundly between Harry's own two feet. She sighed in his arms. She was enjoying the presence of Harry there with her. Holding her gently, rubbing her back and stroking through her long starnds. He was making her feel warmer, safer and loved. Hermione was starting to fall asleep.
Many thoughts ran through Harry's head at that time. 'Fuck Malfoy! He's even haunting her in her sleep!' Harry thought angrily. He then peered down at the girl in his arms and smiled inwardly. 'Hermione is the strongest person I know. She's so beautiful, intelligent, funny. How could any one not like her? Herms, you're the greatest,' Harry thought and smiled at the girl. Her regular breathing on his neck as she slept felt good and gooseflesh spread over his skin. Harry wondered why every little breath she took caused his blood to rush. Why she felt so good to hold. Why her touch was so pleasing. Hermione moved a little in her sleep. Her face shifted from Harry's shoulder, to within inches of his face. Her hand rested on his neck and her fingers met some strands of his unruly hair. Harry's eye's widened but relaxed. 'She's sleeping. She doesn't know what she's doing.' Harry told himself. He had the strongest urge to kiss her gently, but wouldn't do it. 'The last thing she needs is another guy wanting her.' Harry scolded himself and closed his eyes. He too fell into a light sleep. They both cuddled each other during the night, feeling very content inside.
Hermione was the first to awake, and was surprised at how she held Harry. She let go slightly embarrassed and gently crawled out of his arms, feeling the comforting warmth he wrapped her in disappear. Harry started to stir and mumbled something like "Go away Ron, too early." Hermione nearly laughed at him but kept silent. She just looked at sincerely. 'He stayed with me all night. You're so caring and considerate and funny and courageous and…and... God I can't even find the words! I love you too much for my own good.' Hermione thought as she peered at the sleeping boy. 'You look like an angel when you sleep.' Hermione thought. He looked so peaceful then a grin spread across her face. Her fingers dance over Harry as she started tickling him. Harry started to laugh and he woke up laughing hard.
"Stop…it…Herms…" he said between laughing.
"Why?" Hermione smiled wickedly.
Harry continued to laugh and tried to keep her hands away from him. He then grabbed the pillow he was lying on and threw it at Hermione. It hit her square on the face. She stopped, looked slightly stunned and started to laugh.
"That's why!" Harry grinned.
"You realise this means war!" Hermione said between laughing.
"Of course!" Harry said and grabbed another pillow.
They both started on their pillow fight. Harry didn't hit her too hard, but Hermione hit him with all her might with the pillow. Both their pillows started to rip, and feathers snowed over them. Both of them fell on the bed and caught their breath again.
"You seem all better now! Your energy is right back!" Harry said he lifted a feather off his face.
"Yeah. And that medicine you gave me does work pretty well. I don't hurt all over!" Hermione said cheerfully.
"That's good." Harry stated.
That morning, Mrs Weasley came over and laughed at the two. She had walked in on the two cleaning up all the feathers and sorting the bed. Mrs Weasley was really happy to see Hermione all better. She thought it would be good to see Hermione out and about instead of lying in bed all day. So after a warm breakfast Mrs Weasley prepared, Harry got out his broom. He sat on it with Hermione sitting behind him. Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist as he started the broom. They were heading towards his apartment he shared with Ron.
"VAREE!" Hermione ran to her daughter and held her tight.
"I missed you dear!" Hermione said to her happily giggling daughter.
"So I take it she's all better?" Ron asked smiling at Harry.
"Yeah." Harry replied.
All three started to play with the small child. Hedwig kept a good distance from the child. She didn't trust the baby after she plucked some of her feathers. Hermione brought some toys she had invented for her daughter including a talking book and a noisy ball. Ron wasn't surprised too much about the book. The three spent quality time together and ordered pizza for some dinner, and Hermione had fed Varee using the baby food Ron had provided. They played different games including chess, using the pieces Hermione had made, and they received owls from different people. Hermione then headed home with Varee, Harry travelled with her.
"Just in case," he mouthed to Ron who nodded. They travelled using the Floo network. Hermione changed Varee and then placed her in her cot. Harry looked at her seriously.
"Hermione, we need to talk." Harry said from the couch he sat on.
"Alright." Hermione said and sat beside him.
"Varee isn't you cousin, is she." Harry said more than asked.
"No. She's my daughter." Hermione said hiding her face from Harry's view.
"The daughter you conceived with Malfoy. He's her father, isn't he." Harry continued.
"No he isn't. He never has and never will be her father. He's just the bastard that took advantage of me when I was depressed when my mother fell ill." Hermione said angrily. Harry listened.
"He took fucking advantage of me when Cho had been at me again! I had to work overtime. Then when I became pregnant he told me to abort the baby. I couldn't do that, that's just like murder. It would be committed inside of me. I wouldn't be able to handle the guilt. I kept my pregnancy a secret and I worked from home. Just after Varee had been born, he had came to me and he had said that if I told anyone that Varee was his daughter, he'd kill her. He's ashamed that he slept with a mudblood. And Varee is proof of that shame. When he came, he said I'd be allowed to keep her if I did a little something for him. And that was to fulfil his lust. That's why I've become such a bloody whore. But if becoming a whore will let Varee grow up, then so be it." Hermione said shakily and with anger, clenching her fists as her knuckles became white. Tears formed in her eyes. Harry listened in shock. His anger at Malfoy boiled inside him again. Hermione had started to shake and cry. He then hugged her again.
"Herms, you are anything but a whore. You're the strongest person I know. You've gone through hell all alone. But it's all going to stop." Harry said holding the girl.
"I want all this to end. I've felt so dirty these few years." Hermione whispered.
Harry just held her tightly. Hermione hugged him back. She wanted a new beginning. A new start. A fresh start.
"Well, let me help you Hermione. I want to see you happy for the rest of your life." Harry murmured.
Hermione pulled away from his embrace a little and gazed at him. He looked concerned at her. He had been caring for her so tenderly. He was with her nearly every hour of the day. Hermione gave him a small smile.
"Thanks Harry, for being here with me. I needed you." Hermione said gratefully.
"Could you perhaps stay another night here with me?" Hermione asked unsure.
"I'll stay as long as you want me to stay." Harry replied.
"Thanks." Hermione thanked. She kissed him on the cheek and retreated slowly until their faces were only inches apart. They could feel the other's warm breath. They gazed at each other for what seemed like an eternity. With every second, their faces came closer and closer until, their lips met.
