Thanks to all my reviewers, I appreciate the feedback! Yes, this is a
songfic chapter, I was feeling rather mushy when I wrote it. So sue me. :P
Anyway, the plot is mine, the characters aren't, and the song "You Set Me
Free" by Michelle Branch, isn't mine either. ..........I give up wishing on
stars. ^_^
Hermione sighed happily. Harry turned to look at her and laughed at the content look on her face, and grinned.
"Liked that, did you, Granger?" He looked at her impishly, flashing that cute, lopsided grin. She nodded, smiling back, still trying to shake the jelly feeling in her legs. She looked deep into his piercing emerald eyes, they radiated nothing but pure love - love for her.
"Yes, I did," she replied, smiling softly. They continued walking, past the Three Broomsticks again. Soft music was playing, a slow, gentle tune. Hermione stopped to listen to the music wafting from the front door, and began swaying gently to the beat. He smiled at her, the moonlight glistening off her hair.
"May I have the pleasure of a dance, Miss Granger?" he said, bowing low, winking. She laughed in delight. "It would be an honor, Mr. Potter," she said, her eyes twinkling with laughter. He pulled her closer and placed his strong hands around her waist. She smiled at him and put her arms around his neck, and the pair moved slowly to the rhythm. She felt protected in his arms, and for the first time, felt as if someone needed her. She laid her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed, and then all of a sudden she stopped dancing. She grinned at Harry with excitement. Hermione tipped her head back, stuck out her tongue, and spun as fast as she could. All she could see was the white snow falling in her face, tickling her, and she laughed aloud. His laughter joined hers; the two of them spun and spun around and around, right in the middle of street, not a care in the world, just each other and the snow.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione grinned, a glassy look in her eyes as she shut her dormitory door behind her. She leaned against the wall, smiling her cheeks off, and slid to the floor in a happy bliss. Lavender looked up from her Muggle magazine for teens.
"I take it you two had a good time?" she said, laughing. Hermione just nodded, giggling like a little schoolgirl. Lavender sat up quickly, ready for the juicy details.
"So? Did you snog? Huh, huh?" she asked excitedly, her eyes wide.
"Yes," she said lightly, "And it was - just wow......." she sighed, almost laughing at her own reaction, which, little did she know, was nothing to the scream that then radiated around the dorm.
"Lavender!! What was that for?!?" Hermione demanded. Lavender squealed again.
"Ooh, I'm just so happy for you!!" she exclaimed. Hermione rolled her eyes, laughing.
"It was just a kiss," she insisted. Lavender narrowed her eyes, smirking.
"Just one? Or were there more?" she said, her eyes glinting. Hermione laughed.
"All right, there was more than one. But that's my personal business." Hermione looked at Lavender's face. "And, NO, I'm not using a Muggle journal this time," she said, and laughed as her face fell.
Hermione turned to the mirror and began brushing tangles out of her now- curly hair, which had gotten wet from the snow. She put away the brush, and changing into some loose nightgowns, she checked her robe pocket to make sure she hadn't left any money in it. A piece of paper was folded up inside her pocket.
From the entrance hall, And to your right, Under the stars, Shall sit a knight. The angel he belongs to Will come to see him there With her deep brown eyes And her soft brown hair. The knight shall sweep the angel away Up into the air they will fly Taken to a special place Until almost mid nigh. The time you may ask Will he be late? No, he shall be waiting At half-past eight.
Hermione looked at the poem for a moment, her thoughts swirling around. She smiled at the letter. He wanted to meet her at half past eight tomorrow night. She grinned at the prospect, her eyes shining. She folded it carefully up once more, and tucked it under her pillow, and turned out the light.
"The knight shall sweep the angel away........"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry awoke bright and early the next morning. He hurriedly dressed, and was about to leave the dorm, when Ron finally woke up.
" 'Smatter, Harry? Where's the fire?" he asked, yawning deeply and stretching. Harry shrugged.
"I dunno, just want to be at breakfast early today. Something wrong with that?" Ron laughed in response.
"You want to see Hermione," he said knowingly. "You're going to the library first."
"So what if I am?" Ron laughed again.
"Nothing wrong with that, nothing at all," he said, smiling. He pulled the covers up over him again and turned over. A few moments later he was asleep. Harry shook his head, smiling at Ron's deafening snores. He shut the door quietly as he left.
Harry was in such a rush to leave, he didn't notice Hermione in the common room with him - until he ran into her in front of the portrait hole.
"Oomph!" he said. Hermione laughed, and helped him up. "Thanks," he said, his ears turning slightly red. Hermione grinned.
"Good morning. Heading to breakfast?"
"Erm, actually, I don't quite know where I'm going, just......somewhere, I guess," he finished, smiling that lopsided grin that always made her knees weak. She laughed softly.
"Well, we'll go somewhere together then, won't we?" He smiled at her. "I suppose we will," he said, laughing. They went outside and walked around the lake, making small talk about classes and such. Harry coughed loudly.
"So! Um, did you find out how Ron and Lavender's date went?" he asked, nonchalantly. She shook her head, she was silent as she walked, yet still smiling. He gazed at her, her hair shiny in the sunlight, wisps of it gently floating in the breeze, then falling like the blossoms on the trees at the beginning of the summer.
It was a beautiful day, to say the least. With the warm weather, students strolled about lazily, some in couples, others in groups of friends. The lake was still; the sun glittered off it so brightly it hurt Harry's eyes just to look at it. The leaves rustled gently in the cool breeze, and the birds sang their harmonious tune, adding music to the already tranquil scene. Hermione sighed happily next to him, and he laced his fingers within hers and squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling, and smiled at him, putting her arm around his waist and hugging him to her. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the smell of her shampoo.
Hermione, although reluctant to leave Harry's side, glanced down at her watch. "It's noon, we have to go to lunch," she said. She smiled at him, hugging him quickly, and ran up to join Lavender as she headed up to the castle.
"Lavender! Hey Lavender!" She called. Lavender turned around.
"Oh, Herm! Sorry, didn't know you were out here at first." She replied.
"So, were you with Ron?" Hermione asked, smirking.
"........maybe........" Lavender replied evasively.
"Yea, you have been," Hermione said, grinning. Lavender looked at her indignantly.
"And just how can you tell that?"
"You have the dazed look in your eyes again that you get whenever you see him." She said. "Not mention, you're a really bad liar. You always twirl your finger in your hair." Lavender shot her a look and untwisted her hair from her finger.
"So? What's wrong with that?" she asked her friend. Hermione grinned.
"Oh, nothing, just wondering," she said, laughing lightly. She skipped ahead of Lavender, leaving her dumbfounded. She had that sort of effect on people.
Harry watched Hermione's retreating form. He began to feel very guilty. Shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably, he slumped against the tree, massaging his temples. Thoughts raced through as he was brought back down from the cloud he'd been on the past few days. Voldemort had been reborn. He was powerful again. And here he was, putting Hermione in danger.
~*~*~*~
Hermione jogged down the common room stairs the next morning, just in time to see Harry leaving. "Harry!" she called, picking up speed. She quickly left the common room amidst the stares that followed her, but when she got out into the hallway, Harry was no where to be seen. She looked confusedly, for once, at his sudden disappearance. She furrowed her brow worriedly, and headed to breakfast.
Harry, just around the opposite corner from the Great Hall, sighed nervously as she walked off in the other direction. He mentally smacked himself; he hated doing this to her. But, Voldemort could come at any time, and he couldn't let the one girl he'd ever loved get hurt. 'Do I really love her?' he thought to himself. 'Come off it, Potter. You've loved her since you met her - you were just too blind to notice it until now,' the voice told him, sounding very much like Ron.
The day proceeded much like that morning - wherever Hermione looked, Harry wasn't there. Multiple times she swore she saw him, but by the time she did a double take, he was gone again. Finally, she saw him at dinner.
"Harry Potter!!!" she exploded, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the Great Hall. Harry allowed himself to be pulled along, sulking. She slammed the door behind him and whirled around to face him, throwing his arm down by his side.
"Harry, why have you been avoiding me all day?!? And don't say you haven't, because I know you have." She demanded. Tears began streaming down her face. "If there's something I've done or said, just let me know, Harry! Whatever it is I'm sorry! Just tell me -" Harry placed his finger on her lips, quieting her.
"Shh..." he said, his deep emerald eyes piercing her light brown ones. "You didn't do anything, Hermione. You don't understand, or seem to remember - Voldemort is after me. I have to keep you safe, I have to stay away from you. I couldn't bear losing you now that I finally have you," he said softly, his eyes strangely glassy. Tears still fell softly down Hermione's cheeks.
"Harry, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I knew what risks I was taking when I first became your friend. I know you want to protect me. But I'm asking you, please, don't let him ruin us, Harry. Don't let him ruin what we have. I'll see you tonight, Harry." She kissed his softly on the lips, leaving Harry with a tingling feeling as he silently watched her walk away, his thoughts racing.
Harry came and sat down back at the Gryffindor table, silent and pensive. Ron and Lavender looked at each other worriedly, but decided not to pursue their friend's thoughts.
~*~*~*~
Hermione stepped outside that night into the courtyard, the clock she had just passed in the entrance hall telling her it was almost eight-thirty. She walked around for a moment, and she spotted him. He was sitting on a bench, his head in his hands. He jumped at the sound of her feet on the grass below her.
Harry looked his girlfriend, bathed in the early moonlight, looking every bit the most radiant angel he'd ever seen. He stood up, his face twisted with worry.
"Hermione.........I'm so glad you came. I hoped you would. I was wrong; I made a horrible mistake. Oh, Hermione," he said, his eyes pleading with her. "Hermione, I'm so sorry."
Can't you see?
There's a feeling that's come over me
Close my eyes
You're the only one that leaves me completely breathless
Hermione went to sit by him. She cuddled within the crook of Harry's arm, and he ran his fingers through her soft, silky hair. He could see the enormous, glowing smile on her face and got one too; the happiness radiating from the both of them was contagious.
No need to wonder why
Sometimes a gift like this you can't deny
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
Hermione couldn't believe her luck. Finally, after five long years...the guy of her dreams was holding her close as if he would never let go. She wondered why it had taken them both so long, and wondered why he had chosen her, of all people.
There's a will
There's a way
Sometimes words just can't explain
This is real
I'm afraid
I guess this time there's just no hiding, fighting
You make me restless
You're in my heart
The only light that shines
there in the dark
There were so many things Harry wanted to say to her, to let her know just how he felt. He knew that she already knew, but he wanted to say them anyway. Hermione shifted in her position; she was now cuddled right up next to him, and she fit perfectly, the way her body was nestled in his arms.
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
When I was alone
You came around
When I was down
You pulled me through
And there's nothing that
I wouldn't do for you
Hermione shifted; it was a chilly night, and the warmth from Harry's body felt so good. She closed her eyes as he gently kissed her forehead. Hermione began to wonder why Lavender wanted the certain things she did; she couldn't imagine anything better than what she was feeling right now.
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
Hermione turned up to look at him. "The stars are so pretty tonight," she said, taking his hand again and leading him out into the moonlight so they could look at them better. He turned to her, his eyes serious and loving.
"Hermione...I love you." He said, as he kissed her softly on the lips, stroking her cheek.
A/N: *sigh* I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting very jealous of Miss Hermione...God I want a boyfriend, lol...anyway, go review! And for all those who want to see some danger and adventure, be prepared...because it's most definitely coming. *evil grin*
Hermione sighed happily. Harry turned to look at her and laughed at the content look on her face, and grinned.
"Liked that, did you, Granger?" He looked at her impishly, flashing that cute, lopsided grin. She nodded, smiling back, still trying to shake the jelly feeling in her legs. She looked deep into his piercing emerald eyes, they radiated nothing but pure love - love for her.
"Yes, I did," she replied, smiling softly. They continued walking, past the Three Broomsticks again. Soft music was playing, a slow, gentle tune. Hermione stopped to listen to the music wafting from the front door, and began swaying gently to the beat. He smiled at her, the moonlight glistening off her hair.
"May I have the pleasure of a dance, Miss Granger?" he said, bowing low, winking. She laughed in delight. "It would be an honor, Mr. Potter," she said, her eyes twinkling with laughter. He pulled her closer and placed his strong hands around her waist. She smiled at him and put her arms around his neck, and the pair moved slowly to the rhythm. She felt protected in his arms, and for the first time, felt as if someone needed her. She laid her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed, and then all of a sudden she stopped dancing. She grinned at Harry with excitement. Hermione tipped her head back, stuck out her tongue, and spun as fast as she could. All she could see was the white snow falling in her face, tickling her, and she laughed aloud. His laughter joined hers; the two of them spun and spun around and around, right in the middle of street, not a care in the world, just each other and the snow.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione grinned, a glassy look in her eyes as she shut her dormitory door behind her. She leaned against the wall, smiling her cheeks off, and slid to the floor in a happy bliss. Lavender looked up from her Muggle magazine for teens.
"I take it you two had a good time?" she said, laughing. Hermione just nodded, giggling like a little schoolgirl. Lavender sat up quickly, ready for the juicy details.
"So? Did you snog? Huh, huh?" she asked excitedly, her eyes wide.
"Yes," she said lightly, "And it was - just wow......." she sighed, almost laughing at her own reaction, which, little did she know, was nothing to the scream that then radiated around the dorm.
"Lavender!! What was that for?!?" Hermione demanded. Lavender squealed again.
"Ooh, I'm just so happy for you!!" she exclaimed. Hermione rolled her eyes, laughing.
"It was just a kiss," she insisted. Lavender narrowed her eyes, smirking.
"Just one? Or were there more?" she said, her eyes glinting. Hermione laughed.
"All right, there was more than one. But that's my personal business." Hermione looked at Lavender's face. "And, NO, I'm not using a Muggle journal this time," she said, and laughed as her face fell.
Hermione turned to the mirror and began brushing tangles out of her now- curly hair, which had gotten wet from the snow. She put away the brush, and changing into some loose nightgowns, she checked her robe pocket to make sure she hadn't left any money in it. A piece of paper was folded up inside her pocket.
From the entrance hall, And to your right, Under the stars, Shall sit a knight. The angel he belongs to Will come to see him there With her deep brown eyes And her soft brown hair. The knight shall sweep the angel away Up into the air they will fly Taken to a special place Until almost mid nigh. The time you may ask Will he be late? No, he shall be waiting At half-past eight.
Hermione looked at the poem for a moment, her thoughts swirling around. She smiled at the letter. He wanted to meet her at half past eight tomorrow night. She grinned at the prospect, her eyes shining. She folded it carefully up once more, and tucked it under her pillow, and turned out the light.
"The knight shall sweep the angel away........"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry awoke bright and early the next morning. He hurriedly dressed, and was about to leave the dorm, when Ron finally woke up.
" 'Smatter, Harry? Where's the fire?" he asked, yawning deeply and stretching. Harry shrugged.
"I dunno, just want to be at breakfast early today. Something wrong with that?" Ron laughed in response.
"You want to see Hermione," he said knowingly. "You're going to the library first."
"So what if I am?" Ron laughed again.
"Nothing wrong with that, nothing at all," he said, smiling. He pulled the covers up over him again and turned over. A few moments later he was asleep. Harry shook his head, smiling at Ron's deafening snores. He shut the door quietly as he left.
Harry was in such a rush to leave, he didn't notice Hermione in the common room with him - until he ran into her in front of the portrait hole.
"Oomph!" he said. Hermione laughed, and helped him up. "Thanks," he said, his ears turning slightly red. Hermione grinned.
"Good morning. Heading to breakfast?"
"Erm, actually, I don't quite know where I'm going, just......somewhere, I guess," he finished, smiling that lopsided grin that always made her knees weak. She laughed softly.
"Well, we'll go somewhere together then, won't we?" He smiled at her. "I suppose we will," he said, laughing. They went outside and walked around the lake, making small talk about classes and such. Harry coughed loudly.
"So! Um, did you find out how Ron and Lavender's date went?" he asked, nonchalantly. She shook her head, she was silent as she walked, yet still smiling. He gazed at her, her hair shiny in the sunlight, wisps of it gently floating in the breeze, then falling like the blossoms on the trees at the beginning of the summer.
It was a beautiful day, to say the least. With the warm weather, students strolled about lazily, some in couples, others in groups of friends. The lake was still; the sun glittered off it so brightly it hurt Harry's eyes just to look at it. The leaves rustled gently in the cool breeze, and the birds sang their harmonious tune, adding music to the already tranquil scene. Hermione sighed happily next to him, and he laced his fingers within hers and squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling, and smiled at him, putting her arm around his waist and hugging him to her. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling the smell of her shampoo.
Hermione, although reluctant to leave Harry's side, glanced down at her watch. "It's noon, we have to go to lunch," she said. She smiled at him, hugging him quickly, and ran up to join Lavender as she headed up to the castle.
"Lavender! Hey Lavender!" She called. Lavender turned around.
"Oh, Herm! Sorry, didn't know you were out here at first." She replied.
"So, were you with Ron?" Hermione asked, smirking.
"........maybe........" Lavender replied evasively.
"Yea, you have been," Hermione said, grinning. Lavender looked at her indignantly.
"And just how can you tell that?"
"You have the dazed look in your eyes again that you get whenever you see him." She said. "Not mention, you're a really bad liar. You always twirl your finger in your hair." Lavender shot her a look and untwisted her hair from her finger.
"So? What's wrong with that?" she asked her friend. Hermione grinned.
"Oh, nothing, just wondering," she said, laughing lightly. She skipped ahead of Lavender, leaving her dumbfounded. She had that sort of effect on people.
Harry watched Hermione's retreating form. He began to feel very guilty. Shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably, he slumped against the tree, massaging his temples. Thoughts raced through as he was brought back down from the cloud he'd been on the past few days. Voldemort had been reborn. He was powerful again. And here he was, putting Hermione in danger.
~*~*~*~
Hermione jogged down the common room stairs the next morning, just in time to see Harry leaving. "Harry!" she called, picking up speed. She quickly left the common room amidst the stares that followed her, but when she got out into the hallway, Harry was no where to be seen. She looked confusedly, for once, at his sudden disappearance. She furrowed her brow worriedly, and headed to breakfast.
Harry, just around the opposite corner from the Great Hall, sighed nervously as she walked off in the other direction. He mentally smacked himself; he hated doing this to her. But, Voldemort could come at any time, and he couldn't let the one girl he'd ever loved get hurt. 'Do I really love her?' he thought to himself. 'Come off it, Potter. You've loved her since you met her - you were just too blind to notice it until now,' the voice told him, sounding very much like Ron.
The day proceeded much like that morning - wherever Hermione looked, Harry wasn't there. Multiple times she swore she saw him, but by the time she did a double take, he was gone again. Finally, she saw him at dinner.
"Harry Potter!!!" she exploded, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the Great Hall. Harry allowed himself to be pulled along, sulking. She slammed the door behind him and whirled around to face him, throwing his arm down by his side.
"Harry, why have you been avoiding me all day?!? And don't say you haven't, because I know you have." She demanded. Tears began streaming down her face. "If there's something I've done or said, just let me know, Harry! Whatever it is I'm sorry! Just tell me -" Harry placed his finger on her lips, quieting her.
"Shh..." he said, his deep emerald eyes piercing her light brown ones. "You didn't do anything, Hermione. You don't understand, or seem to remember - Voldemort is after me. I have to keep you safe, I have to stay away from you. I couldn't bear losing you now that I finally have you," he said softly, his eyes strangely glassy. Tears still fell softly down Hermione's cheeks.
"Harry, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I knew what risks I was taking when I first became your friend. I know you want to protect me. But I'm asking you, please, don't let him ruin us, Harry. Don't let him ruin what we have. I'll see you tonight, Harry." She kissed his softly on the lips, leaving Harry with a tingling feeling as he silently watched her walk away, his thoughts racing.
Harry came and sat down back at the Gryffindor table, silent and pensive. Ron and Lavender looked at each other worriedly, but decided not to pursue their friend's thoughts.
~*~*~*~
Hermione stepped outside that night into the courtyard, the clock she had just passed in the entrance hall telling her it was almost eight-thirty. She walked around for a moment, and she spotted him. He was sitting on a bench, his head in his hands. He jumped at the sound of her feet on the grass below her.
Harry looked his girlfriend, bathed in the early moonlight, looking every bit the most radiant angel he'd ever seen. He stood up, his face twisted with worry.
"Hermione.........I'm so glad you came. I hoped you would. I was wrong; I made a horrible mistake. Oh, Hermione," he said, his eyes pleading with her. "Hermione, I'm so sorry."
Can't you see?
There's a feeling that's come over me
Close my eyes
You're the only one that leaves me completely breathless
Hermione went to sit by him. She cuddled within the crook of Harry's arm, and he ran his fingers through her soft, silky hair. He could see the enormous, glowing smile on her face and got one too; the happiness radiating from the both of them was contagious.
No need to wonder why
Sometimes a gift like this you can't deny
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
Hermione couldn't believe her luck. Finally, after five long years...the guy of her dreams was holding her close as if he would never let go. She wondered why it had taken them both so long, and wondered why he had chosen her, of all people.
There's a will
There's a way
Sometimes words just can't explain
This is real
I'm afraid
I guess this time there's just no hiding, fighting
You make me restless
You're in my heart
The only light that shines
there in the dark
There were so many things Harry wanted to say to her, to let her know just how he felt. He knew that she already knew, but he wanted to say them anyway. Hermione shifted in her position; she was now cuddled right up next to him, and she fit perfectly, the way her body was nestled in his arms.
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
When I was alone
You came around
When I was down
You pulled me through
And there's nothing that
I wouldn't do for you
Hermione shifted; it was a chilly night, and the warmth from Harry's body felt so good. She closed her eyes as he gently kissed her forehead. Hermione began to wonder why Lavender wanted the certain things she did; she couldn't imagine anything better than what she was feeling right now.
'Cause I wanted to fly,
so you gave me your wings
And time held its breath so I could see, yeah
And you set me free
Hermione turned up to look at him. "The stars are so pretty tonight," she said, taking his hand again and leading him out into the moonlight so they could look at them better. He turned to her, his eyes serious and loving.
"Hermione...I love you." He said, as he kissed her softly on the lips, stroking her cheek.
A/N: *sigh* I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting very jealous of Miss Hermione...God I want a boyfriend, lol...anyway, go review! And for all those who want to see some danger and adventure, be prepared...because it's most definitely coming. *evil grin*
