Part 1 The Starting of A new Life

It's funny how certain events can change people's lives. The actions that you take can greatly effect how you perceive life in general. Sometimes events can cause a great mistrust toward a certain person, groups of people, or just life in general. However, on some occasions certain events can bring people closer, and often times they find a stronger relationship then they ever knew was possible. As for Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, it took just one event, that changed the world as they knew it, and made them realize how fragile and special life truly was. It made them realize that they had an ever lasting love for one another. One that they knew never existed.

Harry was dating a freckled-faced girl with fiery red hair named Ginny Weasley; Hermione was dating a kind boy named Ron Weasley, who, like his sister also had the distinctive feature of fiery red hair and many freckles on his face. The two couples had formed good relationships and seemed as if they were both very much in love.

Harry had always known that something was going on between Ron and Hermione ever since their fourth year at school. It took a lot of patience for Harry to endure the numerous amounts of pointless squabbles that had broken out between the two. Harry wasn't all that surprised when he found out during the summer of his sixth year that the two were now a couple. He thought they always looked rather cute together.

What did take him by surprise however was during the summer of his sixth year, which he spent most of at the Burrow. He started seeing Ginny in a different light. She was much older, and more mature then what she was a few years ago. He noticed one particular night that he was staring at her over dinner. He also found himself laying in bed thinking about her all the time. About how she had matured, and how she had truly blossomed into became a very pretty person. He also noticed how his knees would usually turn into water whenever she touched him, either by accident or just by giving him a hug. Finally Harry couldn't stand this feeling any longer, so one day he asked if Ginny wanted to go for a stroll and he conjured up the courage and asked her out. Since her ex-boyfriend Dean Thomas had broken up with her only two weeks into their relationship, she had her eyes set on Harry once again.

All seemed to go well with the two best friends and their girlfriends until certain events changed everything between Harry and Ron. It was all because of there new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Fleur Delacour, who was an profoundly beautiful woman. Ron had always been attracted her beauty. Harry agreed that she was extremely good looking, however he thought of her as somewhat of a dim-wit, and in troubled times such as these with Voldemort running around on the loose again Hogwarts didn't need that sort of rubbish teaching the critical class of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Harry had noticed that Ron had in fact been spending a lot of time with Professor Delacour. Especially after-hours, when everyone was in tucked away in their beds. Ron had the excuse that he needed extra help in that particular class. Harry thought it was rather peculiar; after all, if Ron needed help with that particular class, he could of just as easily came to Harry about it. After all, it was his best subject.

One day Harry caught Ron and Fleur together, kissing after a particularly boring lesson. This had confirmed his suspicions that there was indeed something going on that Ron didn't tell him about. He hated being the bad guy, but he wanted to simply state his feeling on the matter. Hermione after all was his best friend, and he did not want to see her hurt. So he decided to confront Ron about what he had seen, and reveal his distrust about Fleur.

After a very heated argument, in which many terrible things were said to one another, Ron had stormed out of the castle, and went for a walk, and he cursed everything about Harry. When he ran into a strange figure, just on the out side of the forbidden forest. He decided to go and investigate, and he had ran into Lord Voldemort. He was frightened, and he knew he was about to lose his life.

However instead of killing Ron, the Dark Lord realized that he could use him to get Harry Potter, and placed him under the Imperius Curse. He told him to bring him Ginny Weasley, along with his faithful Death Eater -- named Fleur Delacour.

After the argument Harry had with Ron, He decided that Hermione needed to know what was going on with her boyfriend and Fleur. He found her in the library, her sitting alone reading a book that looked rather complicated. He couldn't help but notice how innocent and sweet she looked. He felt rather bad because deep inside he knew that she would not take it well, she was deeply in love with Ron.

After about ten minutes of watching her, he walked up to her and told her what he had seen. Hermione not wanting to see the truth, erupted in anger and left him sitting alone in the library. He promptly went after her, but it didn't do any good, she just kept striding down the hallway with tears in her eyes.

After his battle with Hermione, Harry decided it was time for bed. He wasn't feeling up to eating supper. He was frustrated with his two best friends, and Ginny was no where to be found. He did have a lot of homework to do, however he just didn't feel up to the task. He was just wanted this day to be over with, and start with a fresh new day, and no sooner had he laid his head down he fell off to sleep.

As he drifted off to dreamland, a strange dream came about. He and Hermione were in a strange place. The scenery was mountainous, the grass was tall and green. Wildflowers spread all along a pretty prairie, their was a gentle cool breeze in the air, and a small creek, with the water gently flowing. They had gone fishing, something which he never had done, but always wanted to try. He didn't recognize the landscape, it was nothing like what he was use too, it wasn't anything like the rolling hills of Britain. However these strange mountains stretched so high into the air that they seemed to almost touch the light blue sky. The clouds were so fluffy that they seemed to almost resemble cotton candy. Shortly afterwards, he realized he was in a different part of the world.

Suddenly, the dream changed. He was now in the Shrieking Shack, With Ron, Professor Delacour, and on the ground was a bloody, and screaming person on the floor. It took him a few minutes to realize who it was. It was none other than his girlfriend Ginny Weasley. Harry's heart fell to the pit of his stomach when he realized, that he was the one who was torturing her. He heard Fleur say something, but he couldn't quite distinguish what it was. He walked around the bloody crumpled mess on the floor. There was a mirror on the wall, he looked into it and instead of seeing a boy with jet black hair, glasses and lighting bolt shaped scare, he saw a face that was paler than a white skull and red eyes with slits for pupils.

Harry woke up with a start, his scare felt as if it was on fire. His stomach was doing a sort of flip-flop. His mind was processing what he had just seen in his dream. Harry came running out of his dorm room down into the Gryffindor Common room to see Hermione study for end-of-year exams. He was frantic as he told her about what he had seen in his dream.

It didn't take Hermione or Harry for that matter very long to figure out what had happened. Hermione had explained that she had seen Ron leave with Ginny, three hours ago. Afterwards Harry ran upstairs and grabbed his invisibility cloak, without thinking he had threw it over Hermione and himself. They snuck out of the castle and went to the passage under the Whomping Willow. They came to a familiar trap door opened it and walked inside. Harry and Hermione held hands as they went upstairs. From out side a door the could hear someone, with a bone-chilling high-pitched voice yell. "Crucio!"

From inside the door they could hear Ron laughing, and a high-pitched exhausted scream from a female. Harry decided that it was now or never, so he entered the room with his wand drawn out, only to see Ginny lying in a bloody heap on the floor. That's when it happened, the high pitched shrill voice yell, "Avada Kedavra." A flash of green light came from the tip the wand, and Ginny received the full blast of the spell, and she was dead before she could crumple back onto the floor.

Almost immediately Voldemort pointed his wand at Ron and yelled the same deadly curse, Hermione tried to sacrifice herself for the man she loved, but she was simply too late. Ron was dead before he even hit the floor. She started to sob uncontrollably, as she held his dead body in her arms. She was violently shaking as she screamed, "He's dead," and with an uncontrollable whimpering sob said, "I-I... d-don't... believe it, he's dead." Everything went dark in Harry's mind, he had no clue what happened next.

Nearly two weeks later he woke up next to Hermione and learned that had it not of been for Dumbledore's getting a hold of the Marauders Map Harry and Hermione would of perish along with the other two. Harry then learned the hard cold truth about what had happened, and the single thought alone made him sick to his stomach, did his best friend completely turned against him? Which should of cost all of them there lives. However as fate would have it, it only cost Ron's life, and his darling Ginny's as well.

The thought of trying to cope with all this lose as the facts started to come out was almost unbearable. Harry had felt nothing but sorrow for Hermione, who still remained in denial that the man she loved, and was going to marry someday, but was now gone, never to return.

So here it was now their final year at Hogwarts; Harry and Hermione, had not been talking to each other very much through out the past year. Although, Harry had spent a lot of his time thinking about her. He didn't realize that the feelings that he had towards her, where something that he did not understand. On a particular Saturday morning, he laid in bed he had not felt like doing a whole lot more, other than think about the events that had happened at Hogwarts during the previous years. He found himself doing this more often now, he often wondered . He had his times when he thought about just leaving the wizarding world completely. The memories of Ron and Ginny were still unbearable to him, and Voldemort was still out on the loose raising havoc and continuing his war on the wizarding world. Not to mention the time was starting to run out, and he would soon be leaving school. The though in itself frightened him half to death. Finally his thoughts turned to more pleasant ones. It was a girl with bushy brown hair, how had it not of been for her, or Ron for that matter, that he would of simply died his first year at Hogwarts. He thought:

Why do I think about so much about her. I mean, she's an extreme know-it-all. She has often gotten on my last nerves with her constant chattering about things that I already know. Yet on the other hand she's brilliant, and I've always thought she was pretty. I don't' know, maybe I'd like to see if her and I couldn't possibly go out together. On the other hand, I don't think I would have a chance. She is too pretty to be seen on my arm. Not to mention she's dating Seamus. Although I think she's only dating him so she can have someone hold her. After all, she suffered a great loss.

Harry took a deep breath and continued on with his thoughts about relationships:

I know what my problem is, I've never had much luck with women. There was that complete disaster with Cho Chang, but I now know it was just puppy love. However Ginny, on the other hand … He smiled at her memory. She was a bit of a drama queen, not to mention she was getting to be very controlling, however she was good for me. She taught me a lot about love. I know all she would ever want for me is for me to be happy, Hermione though? Yeah I love her, but I don't think I'm in love with her.

He sighed and took a drink of water from the cup that was sitting on his night stand.

She and I don't talk much, anymore … I s'ppose it's because of the trauma we suffered last year. Things just didn't feel the same between us anymore I know it happens sometimes friends have a habit of coming in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant. I hate to think it, but that might be what's happening with her and I. I hate to admit it but she is just become another face in the hall of the endless sea of students who attend this school. I don't want it to happen, she means too much to me. I have always fancied her, however, if I were to tell her she would probably just confirm my worse fear, that she…she never liked me like that, nor would she ever. However, on the other hand, what do I have to lose, there might actually be that chance that she actually does like me. After all it's not like we haven't suffered a great lose together. She lost the man she loved and her best friend; I lost my best friend, and the girl I loved.

With all the thoughts that had crossed his brain, his mind was starting to swim. When a stern voice erupted in his head, "Just go and find her, and talk to her."

Another voice replied, "Don't do it, she doesn't like you."

"But what do you have to lose? What's the worst that could happen? She could say no. But remember, you have caught her staring at you a few times this last year," Retorted the other voice.

"Everything: your pride, dignity, and self-esteem," responded the other voice.

With the argument going on in his head, Harry had the vision of a small Harry Potter with a halo standing on his right shoulder and another one with horns and a pitchfork standing on his left shoulder telling him what to do. It was times like these that he wished he had his godfather Sirius Black was still alive so he could ask him about women.

He was starting to develop a headache, and he had no doubts as to it cause, it was simply because of this stupid argument going on inside his head. He had enough of this, and ended the argument by saying to himself, "I think I'll go find her, and just take the stupid the risk. I'll regret it if I don't."

He got into his robes, and slowly walked down to an almost empty Gryffindor common room. Most of the students where undoubtedly outside enjoy the last bits of the sun before the long cold winter. However to his delight, she was sitting in her favorite chair, by the fire place reading a book. Hogwarts: A History He thought how many times does she have to read that stupid book? She should know it by heart by now. He started walking toward her, his heart had jumped into his throat. The closer he got to her, he noticed, that it wasn't just butterflies in his stomach but something that felt astonishingly like a den of bat, just fluttering away. The closer he got, he broke out into a sweat. He was getting closer, now was the moment of truth, he could turn back around and go back unnoticed, or he could press on and see how things go …

"Hi, Hermione," he said in a half-scared tone. After all this was the first time he had spoken to her weeks.

"Oh, hi, Harry, how are you doing?" she looked up from her book and brightly smiled.

"Good, I guess. I was wondering, can we have a talk?" He was starting to get even more nervous. He was trying to summon up every ounce of courage that he had left inside of him. He suddenly discovered that his shoes looked really interesting.

She closed her book and looked at him intently. "Of course we can. So what's going on?"

"I've had something weighing on my mind now for the longest time now." He briefly looked her in the eyes, then back down at his shoe.

"Continue," she replied with a small grin on her face. She was obviously glad that Harry had decided to come and talk to her, because she sincerely missed him.

"Oh … I don't know … It's really … you know kind of stupid … I don't know how to put this," He stopped as his nerves were getting far too intense for him to continue. He wanted to tell her but he found that at the last moment he just couldn't. He had lost his nerves. "Well, never mind. Actually ... It's nothing."

He got back to his feet, and was about to run back to his room.

"Harry?" she said with concerned, and she added reassuringly. "Are you alright? You can tell me. Just sit back down please. I'll listen to you I promise, and I won't think any less of you. I miss having you in my life."

Harry sat back down, his throat had become quite dry. He thought for a minute, did she mean what I thought she meant? Does she know already? He found a little more courage, although the bats really seemed to be going to town in his stomach this time. He started to feel tingly all over his body and light-head. It was a good thing he was sitting down otherwise he probably would have fallen flat on his face.

"Er … I know we haven't been that close since last year … when it happened, you know."

She was taking in his every word; she was interested in what he had to say next.

"Hermione, I'm starting to fall in love with … " he started, and was perspiring rather profusely. Shyly, and in an even softer tone he said quickly, "I want to be with you."

Then he looked up into her eyes. That was quite pointless to say that low, nobody is in here except me and her ... Uh-oh, I blew it. He thought as he watched her face go from a smile to a frown, almost instantly. He could see the battle going on inside her head. It almost looked as if she were trying to fight off tears. He looked back down at his shoes again, and missed her last expression which was a rather large smile.

It took a moment for the full effect of what Harry had just muttered to sink in. She blushed slightly, then a frown fell upon her face, as she thought, I like him too. But he was Ron's best friend, if I get with him, I may lose him the same way I lost Ron. However to her surprise she felt a large unmistakable grin spread across her face as she contradicted her own thought, He could be the one you've been looking for, Hermione. After all you've been spending numerous hours at a time thinking about him alone at night. You've been wanting this day to happen for the longest time now. After a few awkward moments, she finally asked sounding rather interested, "Harry James Potter, are you asking me out?" She felt her temperature start to rise.

With that Harry nodded in agreement, because that was after all what he was doing. "Oh Harry ... " she said seeing his nod. "That's so very sweet, and I'd be lying if I said, 'I don't feel the same way'… But Harry, I'm with somebody right now, you know that ... "

Harry's heart sank with what felt like a loud thunk as he looked back down at the floor. "Yeah, I understand," he started to get up, he wanted to flee as soon as possible, because he felt like a microbe, but Hermione quickly grabbed his hand and put it over her heart.

"Harry sit ..." she demanded, and he reluctantly sat back down. "So many times I wanted to hear you say this to me, it means so much to me. Especially after Ron ... "

After seeing the look of I'm about to flee mentality look on his face, she felt that it would be best if she gave him an explanation about her current relationship.

"I'm afraid that Seamus and I are not going to work out as it is, I was looking for a reason to break up with him the first chance I got. He doesn't understand that, yes, he and I may be dating, but I'm still grieving over Ron, and he doesn't understand that nobody will replace him in my heart."

Right then and there he realized that she was the one person that he would need in his life, in order to help carry on with his life. Harry nodded, "I feel the same way about Ginny. She will always have a piece of my heart that nobody will ever be able to have, however I realized something today, all she ever wanted for me was to be happy, and I'm sure Ron would feel the same way," he replied with complete honesty. He was starting to feel comfortable talking to her about what had happened, because she had also lost someone that she loved as well on that fateful night.

Unconsciously he put a loose hand on her knee. He was gazing deep into her into her eyes, heart, and soul. Hermione was staring back into his. Then, without even realizing what had happened he leaned forward, and gave her a long gentle kiss. When the two connected, sparks flew between them, and emotions between the two climaxed, because it all felt so natural. Everything around them seemed to disappear, all they cared about was this truly magical moment. It seemed to them that everything that had gone wrong in the past was being erased with just a single kiss.

Finally Harry broke the kiss, he was utterly speechless. He stared back into her eyes with anticipation, for her reaction. Hermione looked back into his eyes, expecting him to say something, anything to break the absolute silence but he didn't. She couldn't stand it any longer, and finally broke the few incorrigible moments that had pasted between them. She wanted to say more, but "WOW!" was all she had managed to slip through her lips.

He took a heavy breath of relief, "That says it all." He replied, and laughed slightly. With a serene grin upon her face, she kissed him one more time, hoping and praying to feel that strong chemistry once again. The two remained glued to each other's lips. When someone walk through the portrait hole, and saw what was happening. It was none other than a very startled, and emotional Seamus Finnegan. He was glaring at Harry and he was about to become the-boy-who-died. Hermione, unglued her lips from Harry, after hearing someone clear there throat. She looked up to see Seamus, with tears in his eyes. "Excuse me Harry." She got up, and cautiously walked towards him.

Harry did not know what to expect, he sank deep into his chair. He felt bad for Seamus, he actually thought he was a really nice guy. He did not want to be the reason they broke up. But one problem existed, on the other hand, after that kiss he wanted to be with Hermione more than ever.

Boy… does, Seamus have a bad hurt coming his way. Harry thought.

Hermione and Seamus were talking in the corner. "But… Why? Why would you do this to me, after all I have done for you?" Asked Seamus.

Hermione replied honestly, and started to develop tears in her eyes, "Seamus, I'm really sorry. I want you to know, that I really do like you, but only as a friend. Now... Harry on the other hand, I've liked him for the longest time, and I need to follow my heart, I really do want to be with him."

"But he's ignored you since Ron pass on." Seamus said trying to talk some sense into her.

"I've ignored him too Seamus. Don't you see, faith has brought him and I together. Please understand, I didn't want you and I end like this. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. You've been nothing but a complete sweetheart to me." Hermione replied, she paused for a moment before adding, "I still want to be your friend. I care a lot about you, but only as a friend. I'm really sorry." She knew no matter what she said, it was going to hurt him, but gave him a tight hug, and slowly grabbed his hand. Seamus said nothing, and started quickly for his room.

Harry felt compelled to say something; "Hey Seamus, no hard feeling?" knowing that it would do no good.

He stopped and glared at Harry, he looked like he was going to hit him, but he just continued on up the stairs and vanished from view.

An emotional Hermione sat next to Harry, and she remained quiet. She placed a hand on top of his. He gently interlocked his fingers with hers, and leaned towards her ear and whispered, "Would you like to sit on the couch?"

Hermione, slowly shook her head and said, "No I'm sorry Harry. Not right now."

He nodded his understanding; unlocked his fingers with hers and put an arm around her shoulder, and gently rubbed it. She softly laid her head on his shoulder. He looked softly into her brown eyes and smiled. He looked into her eyes and softly said, " I love you." The truth had come out at last, and love had conquered all.

To be continued…

A/N Please Read and Review, and I enjoy hearing from my readers.