A shoulder to cry on.
This is my entry for Challenge Two, on Fiction net. Here goes. Name: Sugarprincess. House: Gryffindor. Story title: A shoulder to cry on.
This story takes place 3 years after they leave Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco together defeated Lord Voldemort and are all friends. Hermione and Ron have just ended a 5-year relationship.
Chapter One: Friendly with Friends.
Hermione sits in her study and runs her hands through her hair. She thinks of Ron. "What have I done?" She asks herself. The phone rings, she picks it up and answers in a sweet cool tone.
"Hello."
"Hey Hermione, its Draco."
Hermione looked at the phone in disbelief. 'Since when could Draco use a phone?' she thought to herself.
"Draco, hey. Um this might sound stupid but how do you know how to use a phone?"
Hermione heard Draco sigh. "Do you think that I would stick to my fathers muggle hating ways after his death?"
"Well no."
"Exactly so Mother and I have become rather muggle since then, we have all the appliances and things, yes I can use a phone, computer everything like that. Anyway that is quite off the topic I was wanting to talk about."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"The topic."
"Oh yeah."
Hermione sighed. 'If you get that boy talking he won't stop.'
"Well I got a letter from Harry, He and Ron were thinking about a lunch where everyone could get together and meet up."
Hermione's eyes widened at the mention of Ron's name. Draco seemed to sense this, even though they were over the phone, he had gotten to know Hermione well and seemed to be able to sense her emotion.
"Don't worry, you don't have to hang out with Ron" he added.
"Oh it's nothing like that. This'll be great, I'm in, tell Harry that."
"Ok, great" Draco said Happily. "See you soon."
"See you, bye."
They both hung up.
Hermione sighed. Seeing Ron for the first time in a month was going to be hard but she'd do it for her friends.
She looked down at the reports she had been filling out for the ministry. She worked in the Auror headquarters with Ron, Harry, Draco, Ginny, and even Neville. A lot of people they all knew from school had joined the ministry too. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil have joined the Department of Transportation, Seamus Finnigan had become the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Dean Thomas now worked in the Apparation Test Centre, Crabbe, and Goyle, former friends of Draco, had joined the Department of Law Enforcement. But had been fired after Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom, who are partners as auror's, discovered they were spies for Voldemort they were taken to Azkaban.
She sighed and continued writing. The phone rang again.
"Hello" Hermione said in her still sweet cool phone voice.
"Hey Mione its Ginny, I'm gunna be late home, Neville and I have so much papers to fill out and need to stay late at the office, We'll be bringing dinner home" came Ginny's mature but still girlish voice.
"Yeah sure Gin" Hermione said still continuing to write. Ginny, Hermione, and Neville lived together in an apartment just out of the heart of London. It is actually a wizard-owned apartment. Dean and Seamus live together on the bottom floor and Ginny's older brother, Percy, lives on the top floor (6th floor).
They visited Percy occasionally, but without letting Mr or Mrs Weasley know as they were still at a disagreement about the ministry. Percy knew that Lord Voldemort had come back but he still thought his father had been dishonest to his beloved ministry.
"Well Neville's just received another memo, got to go. See you at home" Ginny hung up.
Hermione placed the cream coloured phone back on the hook and went back to her reports. She had complete silence for about 20 minutes, until there was a knock at the door.
"Oh for the love of Merlin" She said getting and walking out of her study, down the baby blue coloured hall and into black-walled living room. She answered the door. It was Parvati Patil.
"Parvati what's wrong?" Hermione asked as she looked across at her puffed friend.
"You're not busy are you?" Parvati stepped into the room holding the hands of what looked like two five-year-old kids, one a boy and the other a girl. "No, not at all" Hermione lied. She stepped aside so Parvati could pass.
"Oh Mione, this is terrible. Lavender and I are about to go out and then Dean and Seamus turn up and make us look after Dean's nephew and niece" She indicated to the kids.
"So let me guess, you need me to watch them?"
Parvati nodded. "If that's ok?"
"Sure don't worry, its fine. You girls have a fun time" She took the hands of the two children.
"Great, you're a lifesaver, ok this is the list of food they eat and when they go to bed, we could be late" she handed Hermione a short list and a large purple bag. "We'll be back around 9 or 11, see you" she left and shut the door behind her.
Hermione sent a look up the hall, which made its way to the reports she was supposed to be filling out. She looked down at the kids. The girl had long curly blonde hair and deep purple eyes, the boy hand short spiky black hair and mystical blue eyes. She sighed and led the kids over to the sofa.
She picked up Neville's left over beer cans and Ginny's mountain of chop packets, letting out another sigh.
She came back from the kitchen and the kids were arguing. "Hey settle down" Hermione sat in the middle of them both. She tried to remember the names of the kids; she had met them once about a year ago. Seamus and Parvati have been dating for two years and Parvati often baby-sited the twins.
"Aunt Hermione" said the boy. She smiled at the name, she felt a little guilty that the boy had remembered her name but she hadn't remembered his.
"Yes?"
"Can we watch T.V?" Hermione's smile grew.
"Sure hunni."
She switched the television on. A fuzzy site filled the screen and Hermione mentally cursed Ginny for mucking around with it. She pulled out her wand and tapped the screen. A picture filled the screen and the twins grew enormous ear to ear smiles. Hermione decided that this was a suitable station and went off to the kitchen to look at the list and what was inside the large purple bag.
She read the list slowly:
-Vegetable and fruit.
-Small sausages.
-Kid's for sweets.
-Bedtime at 8:00.
Hermione looked up from the list. "So all I have to do is feed them food and let them sleep" she muttered to herself.
She opened the purple bag and fiddled around inside. Inside there were two large lunchboxes, a pink and a blue jacket, two sets of pajamas, a package wrapped in thick paper and a mound on children's toys.
Hermione took out the package, which she took as meat; the lunchboxes then carried the bag back into the living room.
Suddenly the idea sprung to her, she had remembered the children's names.
The girl was Lucy and the boy was Matthew. She looked down fondly at the children and noticed Matt had moved to the floor and had elevated his head on his hands.
"Matt please darling, don't sit so close," Hermione said.
"Yes Aunt Hermione" he said moving back a few inches. Hermione shook her head but a large smiled had planted itself across her face.
Hermione walked back to her study and gathered her reports; she would finish them in the living room with the kids. She made her way back to the black room and opened a window, realising only just now how dark it was.
There was again a knock at the door. Hermione cursed under her breath and went to answer it.
She pulled the door back and there stood Harry. Harry lived in a large house about half an hour away from London, with Ron.
"Harry" she said rushing forward and hugging him, she hadn't seen him for three months as he had been on business in America.
"Hey Mione."
"What are you doing here?"
"Well last time I checked it was ok to come and see my best friend."
Hermione giggled. "Yeah well as far as I know it still is."
They separated. Hermione turned and Harry followed her into apartment.
Harry spotted Lucy and Matthew.
"Ok did I miss something? Since when did you have kids?" Harry said pointing to them.
"I don't, they're Seamus' nephew and niece."
Harry nodded. "Just checking."
Hermione giggled again and sat down on the sofa, Harry followed. Matt and Lucy had never met Harry so Hermione decided to introduce them.
"Lucy, Matt, this is Harry, he's my best friend."
Matt and Lucy turned and blinked, as 5year olds usually do. Harry waved and they waved back. "Hi" he said.
"Hello" Lucy said. Matthew continued to stare.
"Is he your boyfriend?" he said.
Harry and Hermione laughed. "So kid, she's going out with my best friend." Harry patted her on the back. Hermione's smile faded. Ron hadn't told him.
"Harry can I see you in the kitchen?" Hermione stood up and walked to the kitchen. Harry entered moments later.
"Mione, what's up?"
Hermione turned to face him; a few tears fell down her eyes, even though she tried to stop them.
"Have you talked to Ron at all in the last month?" She asked.
"No why?" Harry stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Harry we broke up. He said he liked someone else."
Harry stared at her blankly. "He what?"
"He said he-."
"I heard what you said but- Why?"
"You're asking me, it happened a month ago."
Harry wrapped his arms around her fully. "Mione I'm sorry, I should have been here for you."
"Harry no, it's ok, you were on business" she cried on his shoulder.
"Aunt Hermione I'm thirsty" said a little voice from around her knees. She looked down and saw Lucy tugging at her skirt.
"Oh yes, sorry sweetie" Hermione poured Lucy a glass of orange juice. Lucy drank thirstily.
"I need to go to the toilet now," she said looking up sweetly.
"I'll take you" Hermione said then she turned to Harry. "Would you mind watching Matthew?"
Harry nodded and went off to the living room. Hermione led Lucy to the toilet.
Hermione looked up at the clock. 7:55. Time to put the twins to bed.
Hermione helped them dress and lay them to sleep on her bed. Then re-joined Harry in the living room. Harry was watching his all time favourite team, the Chudley Cannons. Playing quidditch.
"Go, go, go" Harry muttered, then took a swig of the beer in his hand.
Hermione sat down next to him and looked at the screen.
The opposition belted a bludger in the direction of the Chudley Cannons' seeker, who had just gone into a deep dive.
"I could have been a quidditch playing" Harry rambled.
"No duh, you were like the best seeker Hogwarts ever had" Hermione said lying her head on the edge of the sofa.
Harry smiled down on her. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Hermione nodded. She hated it when people fussed over her.
"So where are Neville and Ginny?"
"Work, they'll be back late. Are you gunna stay the night?"
"Sure, why not."
"Great, but I'm not sure Neville's gunna want to share with you, remember last time?"
"Have you ever heard the man snore, it's like an earthquake, I had to put a silencing charm on him" Harry ruffled his hair.
Harry leaned down and settled behind Hermione on the couch, they relaxed and watched the game.
"20 sickles says the Cannons win," Harry said.
"Harry I'm not going to bet money with you on this" Hermione said.0
"Why not?"
"Because."
"That's not a real reason" Hermione shot him a look. "Ok fine, how's about, if the Cannon's win you have to give me a kiss?"
"What if they lose?"
"I'll sleep in Neville's room."
Hermione giggled. "You're on" they shook hands.
The Chudley Cannons won. Harry placed his cold beer on the top of Hermione's chest.
"Hey" she said turning over. Harry leaned in and kissed her on the lips. The kiss began to grow more passionate. Hermione was stuck between melting into the kiss and protesting. Eventually she made her decision; she melted into the kiss.
It ended and Harry pulled back breathing hard. Hermione noticed she was breathing hard as well. She blushed and looked up as if the plain back roof had suddenly turned into a rainbow.
There was a knock at the door. Hermione made a mental note to thank whoever was behind the door as she had felt an awkward silence coming on. It was Seamus. "Seamus" Hermione said and she motioned for him to enter.
"Parvati told me Matthew and Lucy were with you."
Hermione nodded. "We'll go get them."
Hermione noticed Seamus eyeing Harry lying on the couch, drinking his beer. They reached Hermione's room.
"So Harry's back" he said a whisper. Hermione found it funny when someone tried to make conversation in a whisper, it seemed so unusual.
"Yeah, he's just staying the night."
Seamus nodded as they entered the room. He gently picked Matt up and then went to the other side of the bed for Lucy. They made their way back to the kitchen and Hermione packed up their toys and leftover food. She carefully swung the bag over Seamus' back, with difficulty.
"They are such angels," Hermione said.
"Yeah, tell that to my sister, maybe she'll take care of them more often." Hermione had to suppress a laugh.
She led Seamus to the door and they said a short goodbye and she watched as Seamus entered the elevator and watched them disappear. She wasn't in a rush to get back to her awkward silence with Harry.
She felt Harry place his hand on her shoulder. She shut the door and turned.
Harry was taller than she was but not but a lot. She looked up into his eyes but immediately looked away.
Harry put his hand on her cheek. "Mione, I've never told you this, mainly because of Ron, but I want to tell you know. I love you."
Hermione froze. Her breath froze, her brain froze, the only thing that seemed to be functioning was her heart, and it was beating rapidly.
She remembered back to their school days when she had the biggest crush on Harry. She had liked Ron too but Harry had been with Cho and never liked her.
"Now would be a great time to say something" Harry said nervously.
Hermione looked back up. Harry was slightly turning red.
"Don't worry, forget I said anything" he turned away.
He grabbed his arm. "You can't just do that," she said. "You can't just tell me you love me then take it back."
All Harry could do was blink.
"Harry I like you too but it's too soon."
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be" she put her hand on his cheek and kissed him, just like he had kissed her before, with great passion.
They parted and Harry embraced her. He leaned down more and kissed her again. Hermione knew it was too soon to go starting anything with anybody but she seemed unable to reject Harry. Years of love and rejection were building back inside her. She had wanted Harry for so long, now he was here and he wanted her too.
Harry lifted her from the ground and carried her over to the dark red couch.
He laid her down then placed himself directly onto on her. She relaxed under his weight as he began to kiss her again.
Harry continued to kiss Hermione's neck as he unbuttoned her top. She pushed him back for a second. "Not here."
Harry nodded and carried her out of the living room and into her bedroom.
He locked the door with his wand and turned back to Hermione. She lay on her bed waiting from him to return.
She knew it was wrong, she knew she shouldn't, but she wanted to.
Harry kissed her neck again. His lips began to move up her neck and towards her mouth. They slipped under the blankets and Harry tightened their kiss as he began to, again, unbutton her shirt. She relaxed once more and rubbed her hands along his bare back. His hands fiddled with her bra strap and she began to untie the knot on his pants.
Hermione tightened the blankets around her and moved closer to Harry. He tightened his grip around her and looked lovingly into her eyes.
"Harry."
"Hmmm."
"What are we going to tell Ron?"
Harry turned to her, he looked down pensively. "I don't know, maybe we should wait a while."
"Yeah, I think that would be best" She moved her leg over his and placed her arm around his naked body. She moved closer and placed her head onto his shoulder.
They sat there in silence. Hermione suddenly remembered Ginny and Neville were due home and minute. She decided not to worry about it as when Ginny said she would be home, she really meant she'd we home around 2 hours after that.
Harry rubbed her back and looked down on her fondly. Hermione looked back with the same amount of fondness.
Suddenly there was a loud crack, from somewhere in the apartment. "Shit, Ginny and Neville" Hermione said and she jumped out of bed. She rushed to get her clothes on and then looked at Harry. "Well?"
"Well what?" Harry said prompting himself up on his elbows.
"Get something on."
"Oh yeah" Hermione tapped her head and mocked him. He poked out his tongue.
"Shut up."
He quickly changed and Hermione magically made her bed. They unlocked the door and went out into the living room.
"Oh Gin, I didn't heard you come in" Hermione lied.
Ginny turned. "'Arry" She said through a mouthful of what looked like Chinese.
She rushed forward and hugged him, Neville shook his hand. "Good to see you mate. How's America?"
"Over populated, you wouldn't believe the crowds in New York" Ginny and Hermione giggled as they went on about Harry's American adventure.
"So are you staying the night?" Ginny asked Harry.
Harry nodded. "Don't worry, Hermione offered to let me stay with her" he said at the look on Neville's face.
They all laughed. Ginny then got a funny look on her face. "So what have you two been up to?" she said slyly.
Hermione went red. "Nothing" she said a little more quickly than you would expect.
Ginny grew more interested at this point. "Hermione can I see you in the kitchen?" she got up and they left the boys to chat.
In the kitchen Ginny almost slammed Hermione into a chair. "Spill."
Hermione was taken aback. "Huh?"
"I said spill. What's going on with you and Harry?"
"Nothing."
"Hermione I've known you for almost 10 years, I can tell when something is going on."
"Fine, Harry told me he loved me."
"And?"
"And none of your business after that" Hermione was a deep scarlet colour.
"Oh Merlin, you didn't. Oh Ron is going to flip" she raised her hands to her mouth.
"It's none of Ron's business" Hermione said standing up.
"Hermione I'm sorry" Ginny stood up too. "I'm happy for you."
There was a knock on the door. "What is this? It's been knocking all day."
Hermione went out into the living room. Neville had already got the door.
There stood Draco and Ron.
This is my entry for Challenge Two, on Fiction net. Here goes. Name: Sugarprincess. House: Gryffindor. Story title: A shoulder to cry on.
This story takes place 3 years after they leave Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco together defeated Lord Voldemort and are all friends. Hermione and Ron have just ended a 5-year relationship.
Chapter One: Friendly with Friends.
Hermione sits in her study and runs her hands through her hair. She thinks of Ron. "What have I done?" She asks herself. The phone rings, she picks it up and answers in a sweet cool tone.
"Hello."
"Hey Hermione, its Draco."
Hermione looked at the phone in disbelief. 'Since when could Draco use a phone?' she thought to herself.
"Draco, hey. Um this might sound stupid but how do you know how to use a phone?"
Hermione heard Draco sigh. "Do you think that I would stick to my fathers muggle hating ways after his death?"
"Well no."
"Exactly so Mother and I have become rather muggle since then, we have all the appliances and things, yes I can use a phone, computer everything like that. Anyway that is quite off the topic I was wanting to talk about."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"The topic."
"Oh yeah."
Hermione sighed. 'If you get that boy talking he won't stop.'
"Well I got a letter from Harry, He and Ron were thinking about a lunch where everyone could get together and meet up."
Hermione's eyes widened at the mention of Ron's name. Draco seemed to sense this, even though they were over the phone, he had gotten to know Hermione well and seemed to be able to sense her emotion.
"Don't worry, you don't have to hang out with Ron" he added.
"Oh it's nothing like that. This'll be great, I'm in, tell Harry that."
"Ok, great" Draco said Happily. "See you soon."
"See you, bye."
They both hung up.
Hermione sighed. Seeing Ron for the first time in a month was going to be hard but she'd do it for her friends.
She looked down at the reports she had been filling out for the ministry. She worked in the Auror headquarters with Ron, Harry, Draco, Ginny, and even Neville. A lot of people they all knew from school had joined the ministry too. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil have joined the Department of Transportation, Seamus Finnigan had become the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Dean Thomas now worked in the Apparation Test Centre, Crabbe, and Goyle, former friends of Draco, had joined the Department of Law Enforcement. But had been fired after Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom, who are partners as auror's, discovered they were spies for Voldemort they were taken to Azkaban.
She sighed and continued writing. The phone rang again.
"Hello" Hermione said in her still sweet cool phone voice.
"Hey Mione its Ginny, I'm gunna be late home, Neville and I have so much papers to fill out and need to stay late at the office, We'll be bringing dinner home" came Ginny's mature but still girlish voice.
"Yeah sure Gin" Hermione said still continuing to write. Ginny, Hermione, and Neville lived together in an apartment just out of the heart of London. It is actually a wizard-owned apartment. Dean and Seamus live together on the bottom floor and Ginny's older brother, Percy, lives on the top floor (6th floor).
They visited Percy occasionally, but without letting Mr or Mrs Weasley know as they were still at a disagreement about the ministry. Percy knew that Lord Voldemort had come back but he still thought his father had been dishonest to his beloved ministry.
"Well Neville's just received another memo, got to go. See you at home" Ginny hung up.
Hermione placed the cream coloured phone back on the hook and went back to her reports. She had complete silence for about 20 minutes, until there was a knock at the door.
"Oh for the love of Merlin" She said getting and walking out of her study, down the baby blue coloured hall and into black-walled living room. She answered the door. It was Parvati Patil.
"Parvati what's wrong?" Hermione asked as she looked across at her puffed friend.
"You're not busy are you?" Parvati stepped into the room holding the hands of what looked like two five-year-old kids, one a boy and the other a girl. "No, not at all" Hermione lied. She stepped aside so Parvati could pass.
"Oh Mione, this is terrible. Lavender and I are about to go out and then Dean and Seamus turn up and make us look after Dean's nephew and niece" She indicated to the kids.
"So let me guess, you need me to watch them?"
Parvati nodded. "If that's ok?"
"Sure don't worry, its fine. You girls have a fun time" She took the hands of the two children.
"Great, you're a lifesaver, ok this is the list of food they eat and when they go to bed, we could be late" she handed Hermione a short list and a large purple bag. "We'll be back around 9 or 11, see you" she left and shut the door behind her.
Hermione sent a look up the hall, which made its way to the reports she was supposed to be filling out. She looked down at the kids. The girl had long curly blonde hair and deep purple eyes, the boy hand short spiky black hair and mystical blue eyes. She sighed and led the kids over to the sofa.
She picked up Neville's left over beer cans and Ginny's mountain of chop packets, letting out another sigh.
She came back from the kitchen and the kids were arguing. "Hey settle down" Hermione sat in the middle of them both. She tried to remember the names of the kids; she had met them once about a year ago. Seamus and Parvati have been dating for two years and Parvati often baby-sited the twins.
"Aunt Hermione" said the boy. She smiled at the name, she felt a little guilty that the boy had remembered her name but she hadn't remembered his.
"Yes?"
"Can we watch T.V?" Hermione's smile grew.
"Sure hunni."
She switched the television on. A fuzzy site filled the screen and Hermione mentally cursed Ginny for mucking around with it. She pulled out her wand and tapped the screen. A picture filled the screen and the twins grew enormous ear to ear smiles. Hermione decided that this was a suitable station and went off to the kitchen to look at the list and what was inside the large purple bag.
She read the list slowly:
-Vegetable and fruit.
-Small sausages.
-Kid's for sweets.
-Bedtime at 8:00.
Hermione looked up from the list. "So all I have to do is feed them food and let them sleep" she muttered to herself.
She opened the purple bag and fiddled around inside. Inside there were two large lunchboxes, a pink and a blue jacket, two sets of pajamas, a package wrapped in thick paper and a mound on children's toys.
Hermione took out the package, which she took as meat; the lunchboxes then carried the bag back into the living room.
Suddenly the idea sprung to her, she had remembered the children's names.
The girl was Lucy and the boy was Matthew. She looked down fondly at the children and noticed Matt had moved to the floor and had elevated his head on his hands.
"Matt please darling, don't sit so close," Hermione said.
"Yes Aunt Hermione" he said moving back a few inches. Hermione shook her head but a large smiled had planted itself across her face.
Hermione walked back to her study and gathered her reports; she would finish them in the living room with the kids. She made her way back to the black room and opened a window, realising only just now how dark it was.
There was again a knock at the door. Hermione cursed under her breath and went to answer it.
She pulled the door back and there stood Harry. Harry lived in a large house about half an hour away from London, with Ron.
"Harry" she said rushing forward and hugging him, she hadn't seen him for three months as he had been on business in America.
"Hey Mione."
"What are you doing here?"
"Well last time I checked it was ok to come and see my best friend."
Hermione giggled. "Yeah well as far as I know it still is."
They separated. Hermione turned and Harry followed her into apartment.
Harry spotted Lucy and Matthew.
"Ok did I miss something? Since when did you have kids?" Harry said pointing to them.
"I don't, they're Seamus' nephew and niece."
Harry nodded. "Just checking."
Hermione giggled again and sat down on the sofa, Harry followed. Matt and Lucy had never met Harry so Hermione decided to introduce them.
"Lucy, Matt, this is Harry, he's my best friend."
Matt and Lucy turned and blinked, as 5year olds usually do. Harry waved and they waved back. "Hi" he said.
"Hello" Lucy said. Matthew continued to stare.
"Is he your boyfriend?" he said.
Harry and Hermione laughed. "So kid, she's going out with my best friend." Harry patted her on the back. Hermione's smile faded. Ron hadn't told him.
"Harry can I see you in the kitchen?" Hermione stood up and walked to the kitchen. Harry entered moments later.
"Mione, what's up?"
Hermione turned to face him; a few tears fell down her eyes, even though she tried to stop them.
"Have you talked to Ron at all in the last month?" She asked.
"No why?" Harry stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Harry we broke up. He said he liked someone else."
Harry stared at her blankly. "He what?"
"He said he-."
"I heard what you said but- Why?"
"You're asking me, it happened a month ago."
Harry wrapped his arms around her fully. "Mione I'm sorry, I should have been here for you."
"Harry no, it's ok, you were on business" she cried on his shoulder.
"Aunt Hermione I'm thirsty" said a little voice from around her knees. She looked down and saw Lucy tugging at her skirt.
"Oh yes, sorry sweetie" Hermione poured Lucy a glass of orange juice. Lucy drank thirstily.
"I need to go to the toilet now," she said looking up sweetly.
"I'll take you" Hermione said then she turned to Harry. "Would you mind watching Matthew?"
Harry nodded and went off to the living room. Hermione led Lucy to the toilet.
Hermione looked up at the clock. 7:55. Time to put the twins to bed.
Hermione helped them dress and lay them to sleep on her bed. Then re-joined Harry in the living room. Harry was watching his all time favourite team, the Chudley Cannons. Playing quidditch.
"Go, go, go" Harry muttered, then took a swig of the beer in his hand.
Hermione sat down next to him and looked at the screen.
The opposition belted a bludger in the direction of the Chudley Cannons' seeker, who had just gone into a deep dive.
"I could have been a quidditch playing" Harry rambled.
"No duh, you were like the best seeker Hogwarts ever had" Hermione said lying her head on the edge of the sofa.
Harry smiled down on her. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Hermione nodded. She hated it when people fussed over her.
"So where are Neville and Ginny?"
"Work, they'll be back late. Are you gunna stay the night?"
"Sure, why not."
"Great, but I'm not sure Neville's gunna want to share with you, remember last time?"
"Have you ever heard the man snore, it's like an earthquake, I had to put a silencing charm on him" Harry ruffled his hair.
Harry leaned down and settled behind Hermione on the couch, they relaxed and watched the game.
"20 sickles says the Cannons win," Harry said.
"Harry I'm not going to bet money with you on this" Hermione said.0
"Why not?"
"Because."
"That's not a real reason" Hermione shot him a look. "Ok fine, how's about, if the Cannon's win you have to give me a kiss?"
"What if they lose?"
"I'll sleep in Neville's room."
Hermione giggled. "You're on" they shook hands.
The Chudley Cannons won. Harry placed his cold beer on the top of Hermione's chest.
"Hey" she said turning over. Harry leaned in and kissed her on the lips. The kiss began to grow more passionate. Hermione was stuck between melting into the kiss and protesting. Eventually she made her decision; she melted into the kiss.
It ended and Harry pulled back breathing hard. Hermione noticed she was breathing hard as well. She blushed and looked up as if the plain back roof had suddenly turned into a rainbow.
There was a knock at the door. Hermione made a mental note to thank whoever was behind the door as she had felt an awkward silence coming on. It was Seamus. "Seamus" Hermione said and she motioned for him to enter.
"Parvati told me Matthew and Lucy were with you."
Hermione nodded. "We'll go get them."
Hermione noticed Seamus eyeing Harry lying on the couch, drinking his beer. They reached Hermione's room.
"So Harry's back" he said a whisper. Hermione found it funny when someone tried to make conversation in a whisper, it seemed so unusual.
"Yeah, he's just staying the night."
Seamus nodded as they entered the room. He gently picked Matt up and then went to the other side of the bed for Lucy. They made their way back to the kitchen and Hermione packed up their toys and leftover food. She carefully swung the bag over Seamus' back, with difficulty.
"They are such angels," Hermione said.
"Yeah, tell that to my sister, maybe she'll take care of them more often." Hermione had to suppress a laugh.
She led Seamus to the door and they said a short goodbye and she watched as Seamus entered the elevator and watched them disappear. She wasn't in a rush to get back to her awkward silence with Harry.
She felt Harry place his hand on her shoulder. She shut the door and turned.
Harry was taller than she was but not but a lot. She looked up into his eyes but immediately looked away.
Harry put his hand on her cheek. "Mione, I've never told you this, mainly because of Ron, but I want to tell you know. I love you."
Hermione froze. Her breath froze, her brain froze, the only thing that seemed to be functioning was her heart, and it was beating rapidly.
She remembered back to their school days when she had the biggest crush on Harry. She had liked Ron too but Harry had been with Cho and never liked her.
"Now would be a great time to say something" Harry said nervously.
Hermione looked back up. Harry was slightly turning red.
"Don't worry, forget I said anything" he turned away.
He grabbed his arm. "You can't just do that," she said. "You can't just tell me you love me then take it back."
All Harry could do was blink.
"Harry I like you too but it's too soon."
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be" she put her hand on his cheek and kissed him, just like he had kissed her before, with great passion.
They parted and Harry embraced her. He leaned down more and kissed her again. Hermione knew it was too soon to go starting anything with anybody but she seemed unable to reject Harry. Years of love and rejection were building back inside her. She had wanted Harry for so long, now he was here and he wanted her too.
Harry lifted her from the ground and carried her over to the dark red couch.
He laid her down then placed himself directly onto on her. She relaxed under his weight as he began to kiss her again.
Harry continued to kiss Hermione's neck as he unbuttoned her top. She pushed him back for a second. "Not here."
Harry nodded and carried her out of the living room and into her bedroom.
He locked the door with his wand and turned back to Hermione. She lay on her bed waiting from him to return.
She knew it was wrong, she knew she shouldn't, but she wanted to.
Harry kissed her neck again. His lips began to move up her neck and towards her mouth. They slipped under the blankets and Harry tightened their kiss as he began to, again, unbutton her shirt. She relaxed once more and rubbed her hands along his bare back. His hands fiddled with her bra strap and she began to untie the knot on his pants.
Hermione tightened the blankets around her and moved closer to Harry. He tightened his grip around her and looked lovingly into her eyes.
"Harry."
"Hmmm."
"What are we going to tell Ron?"
Harry turned to her, he looked down pensively. "I don't know, maybe we should wait a while."
"Yeah, I think that would be best" She moved her leg over his and placed her arm around his naked body. She moved closer and placed her head onto his shoulder.
They sat there in silence. Hermione suddenly remembered Ginny and Neville were due home and minute. She decided not to worry about it as when Ginny said she would be home, she really meant she'd we home around 2 hours after that.
Harry rubbed her back and looked down on her fondly. Hermione looked back with the same amount of fondness.
Suddenly there was a loud crack, from somewhere in the apartment. "Shit, Ginny and Neville" Hermione said and she jumped out of bed. She rushed to get her clothes on and then looked at Harry. "Well?"
"Well what?" Harry said prompting himself up on his elbows.
"Get something on."
"Oh yeah" Hermione tapped her head and mocked him. He poked out his tongue.
"Shut up."
He quickly changed and Hermione magically made her bed. They unlocked the door and went out into the living room.
"Oh Gin, I didn't heard you come in" Hermione lied.
Ginny turned. "'Arry" She said through a mouthful of what looked like Chinese.
She rushed forward and hugged him, Neville shook his hand. "Good to see you mate. How's America?"
"Over populated, you wouldn't believe the crowds in New York" Ginny and Hermione giggled as they went on about Harry's American adventure.
"So are you staying the night?" Ginny asked Harry.
Harry nodded. "Don't worry, Hermione offered to let me stay with her" he said at the look on Neville's face.
They all laughed. Ginny then got a funny look on her face. "So what have you two been up to?" she said slyly.
Hermione went red. "Nothing" she said a little more quickly than you would expect.
Ginny grew more interested at this point. "Hermione can I see you in the kitchen?" she got up and they left the boys to chat.
In the kitchen Ginny almost slammed Hermione into a chair. "Spill."
Hermione was taken aback. "Huh?"
"I said spill. What's going on with you and Harry?"
"Nothing."
"Hermione I've known you for almost 10 years, I can tell when something is going on."
"Fine, Harry told me he loved me."
"And?"
"And none of your business after that" Hermione was a deep scarlet colour.
"Oh Merlin, you didn't. Oh Ron is going to flip" she raised her hands to her mouth.
"It's none of Ron's business" Hermione said standing up.
"Hermione I'm sorry" Ginny stood up too. "I'm happy for you."
There was a knock on the door. "What is this? It's been knocking all day."
Hermione went out into the living room. Neville had already got the door.
There stood Draco and Ron.