Thank you for reviewing. Not much left now, hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 16 New Hope

Harry opened his eyes and tried to move his stiff body. They had fallen asleep on the couch, not too comfortable for sleeping on. Emily stirred in his arms and then groaned softly.

"Hi," Harry whispered in her ears.

"Hi yourself," she replied, trying to sit up straight. "Sorry for falling asleep on you."

"I fell asleep too, only now I'm trying to figure out how to get my muscles to work."

"Well I have to go to the bathroom," Emily answered firmly and struggled to stand up. With a helpful shove from Harry, she set off towards her goal. Harry watched her stiff progress and absently noted her aura. Today it was pink as normal but there was a much brighter golden glow around her. Harry stood up and stretched as she closed the bathroom door. Then stopped mid-action when his mind started to register what he had seen. Muggles had a different aura, there was no blue, which Harry knew signified magic, but the last two people he had seen with a golden glow had both been pregnant. She did ask about my children's potential…does that mean she's pregnant. Harry suddenly flopped back down on the couch, his mind racing at the possibilities, debating wither or not to just ask outright.

By the time Emily had emerged from the bathroom, Harry had decided to wait for her to tell him. He knew he still had a lot of reassuring to do, before Emily could trust him completely. Harry took his turn in the bathroom and returned to find Emily standing in the middle of the kitchen, obviously trying to figure out how to start making some coffee.

"Having trouble?" Harry smiled.

"Um, how am I supposed to cook and stuff, you obviously use magic, but I can't," Emily frowned at him.

"Well for now, I'll do it for you," Harry answered. "But one of my best friends is muggle-born and I know she's adapted a lot of things in her house to work exactly like muggle things – mainly for when her parents visit. I'm sure we could ask her how she did it."

Emily sat and ate her lunch quietly, answering Harry's questions with one word answers. After they had tidied up the kitchen and went to walk in the garden Harry asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," came the reply.

"Please be honest with me Emily, you've been quiet since I told you about Hermione, my muggle-born friend," he clarified.

"I think that this will be too complicated," Emily turned away from him and stared out in the distance. "I can't live in your world and I won't demand you live in mine."

"Why can't you live in my world? I told you we can adapt things to suit us. There are many squibs who can't do magic but still live in our communities."

"My Dad told me what it was like for him….growing up. He was the only one in his family who couldn't do magic. He was an outsider all his life, until he left to live among muggles."

"Things have changed since then Emily; a lot of people have married muggles since the war. A lot of the old prejudices don't exist any more."

"But from what you've told me, your famous…some kind of hero in your world. People would resent me…I don't think I could live like that."

"Emily, look at me," Harry demanded. "I don't care about what people think- I don't have many friends….real friends I can trust. But the ones I do have already know about you and they are ready to accept you for who you are. At least say you'll meet them. I could invite a few friends here if you want. Let you meet them and get to know them."

"I guess," Emily replied softly. Then to Harry surprise she whispered, "Can you kiss me."

"Oh God, with pleasure," Harry groaned and pulled her close, his lips harsh and demanding. Emily whimpered and Harry tried to pull back a little, but Emily held tight and deepened the kiss. Several minutes later they pulled apart and stood together breathing heavily.

"Wow," Harry muttered.

Emily laughed, "Wow yourself. What took you so long?"

"I didn't want you to think I only brought you here to ravish you," Harry smiled down at her, "I was trying to be a gentleman."

"I think you've been a gentleman long enough, don't you?" Emily stepped out of his arms and turned towards the house. As she walked away, she looked over her shoulder and said, "Coming Harry?"

Harry almost tripped in his desire to catch up. He grabbed her hand and they ran like children back to the cottage. Not stopping until they reached the bedroom door when Harry swung her up into his arms and carried her into the room.

The bedroom had the same plain white walls and stone floors. But the four poster bed was draped in heavy green velvet and the rug on the floor was deep forest green with gold accents. Two heavy, gold candlesticks held tall green candles, which flamed to life as they entered. The huge window had no drapes and the view of the ocean was stunning in the early evening light.

Harry gently lowered Emily to her feet and stood staring into her eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, holding his breath as he waited for her answer.

"I'm sure," Emily replied quietly. She stood on her tiptoes and brushed a gentle kiss on his lips.

Tentatively, Harry returned her kiss, trying to keep it light. Gradually he deepened the kiss and let his tongue explore as she opened her mouth to accommodate him. It had been almost three months since their first and only night together, but Harry felt as though he was returning home. Every kiss and sigh filled his heart a little more and gradually he began to explore her neck with his enquiring mouth, while his hands moved restlessly up and down her spine.

Emily was whimpering as her hands sought to get rid of the barriers between them. Harry allowed himself to be shoved back at little so she could pull the jumper he had changed into over his head. Harry returned the favour and found Emily was naked under her tracksuit top. His hungry mouth was reacquainting itself with her body as he shoved her trousers over her hips and pulled them against his own. Emily was wriggling against him as she tried to rid him of his own trousers. Gradually they managed to disrobe each other and stumbled naked to the massive bed. Harry found himself lying on his back with Emily hovering over him; he looked into her eyes and saw the nervousness there.

"What's wrong, love?" he asked.

"I'm not sure what to do," she answered, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

"What ever you want to do," he replied with a smile.

Emily started to explore his naked chest with kisses and Harry shuddered in appreciation. She discovered his nipples were just as sensitive as her own, and paid them extra attention. As her tongue poked around his belly button, Harry groaned and almost lost his self control. Emily smiled as the wind outside picked up a bit. Her gentle exploration came to an abrupt halt when she bushed her lips against the hard evidence of his desire for her. Harry couldn't take it any longer; he wanted her so much he was ready to explode. He gently reversed their positions and started to treat her to the same pleasant torture she had wrecked on him.

Emily managed to mutter, "Please Harry, please hurry."

Harry smiled at her and kissed her deeply as their bodies slowly became merged. As they found their rhythm, the ocean outside seemed to swell with the pressure and eventually Harry's awareness was overcome by the feelings and emotions of their joining.