Don't own characters...
Hermoine lazily yawned. Her expectations today dawned better than she hoped. Yesterday was probably the most refreshing day she'd had in a very long time, not that she detested Harry's presence. Today is officially her first day of teaching Charms at Hogwarts, drawing the curtains of her bedroom then stepping into the shower. Once she was prepared, she caught a glimpse of what appeared as a random note beside Harry's bed…or their bedroom. She suspiciously traced her name written so beautifully on the piece of parchment and unfolded it.
Hey beautiful. I couldn't get enough sleep last night..with your loud snoring! Just kidding…Anyways, glad you had fun yesterday. But to my point, I'm getting out early from practice today to get some extra rest for my game next week. So...what better way to spend the day with my lovely wife? I'll be at Hogwarts to cheer you on cause you'll need it much more than I do tomorrow. JUST KIDDING AGAIN! Don't work and stress too hard. It impairs your beautiful face. You'll do great. Breakfast is downstairs. Harry (P.S. I won the bet so you know what that means…)
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
She sat in the library, grading while planning her schedule for the week. Suddenly a profound yet well-known voice from behind alarmed her.
"Hello Hermoine." She looked up from her papers to find her inevitably gazing at Draco Malfoy, who was also her ex-boyfriend months before her marriage. He was still as handsome with his bright blonde hair. The slick back style never failed to lose its charm.
"Merlin! Oh my gosh Draco!" She immediately stood up from her chair to pull Draco into a tight hug, feeling a familiar tenderness. They were together merely months ago and the feelings were still a bit raw and someway..somehow found herself remembering the past.
"…What are you doing here? Aren't you an Auror?"
"I still am. This is part time. Seems like Hogwarts needed a new Potions substitute. Someone needed to keep Snape's legacy alive," Laughing together.
"After all, it was your best class." She added, oblivious to the loads of work to finish, when suddenly she felt an affection, identifiable long ago, coat her hand. !BOOM! The library doors opened, the room immediately engulfed with the hysterics of girls and boys, the throng of students crowding the running figure. Harry struggled to find Hermoine in the 'quiet' room. There he saw her..not completely forlorn…but with DRACO! What's he doing here! Draco in all his damn glory…with his damn charms..pretty boy, blue eyes…TOUCHING MY WIFE'S HAND! But wait…he glared even more closely..Why wasn't she pulling away?The crowd left as a teacher dismissed them.
"Hey guys," he said… more to Hermoine as Draco pulled away.
"Potter!" Draco almost seemed happy to see him..with his damn pearly whites…Harry cleared his throat and Hermoine immediately caught his uneasiness. She contemplated in alarm shaking her thoughts away. No way was "THE" harry potter…
"Draco." Was all Harry could reply, afraid to let something improper slip.
"I just wanted to say hi, but I guess you're leaving soon." He discontentedly said.
"What? You just got here." She asked with perplexity, eyeing him. Suddenly the myriad of students hurried off to class. She was going to be late if she didn't get a move on from the library. Disappointedly, she gathered her belongings and watched the two waiting men.
"See you for lunch Draco?" He imprudently nodded, heading off to class as well. He knew the trouble and tension he would cause between the two married people. They seem a bit fond of each other. Draco discerned.Hermoine observed Harry's change of character almost as if she knew well enough. He appeared almost…green-eyed.
"I'll see you tonight then?" He asked. He looked so cute with his head limp. "Of course Harry." She tried catching his eye and when she did, he smiled back at her. Her Harry came back to life…wait 'Her Harry'? Where did that come from? "Okay" She loved his wide smile. It made her days easier. Bizarrely, it encouraged her. She lightly kissed his cheek and left, leaving Harry touching the lingering feeling on his cheek. It made his day easier too. Hermoine came home early and extremely drained, but loved work, however. Teaching was a passion that made her proud even if she knew she could be out in the wizarding world as one of the best Aurors or any top respected position. She was surprised to find Harry missing when she arrived. She repeatedly shouted his name and began to panic when she wasn't greeted with his smiling face. Oh bloody hell…Dropping her things, and running into his room, she opened the unlocked door with her jaw falling out of place…there, Harry Potter stood…NAKED! Well...half-naked with his towel on. She could've sworn a heater was on high. Problem...there was none. His hair was sticking up in all the right places, body dripping wet and so was the thin layer of dampness forming, that she dismissively wiped over her forehead. Okay…now I know it's this damn hot room…or is it just me? Or just his heavenly body;..his perfect biceps…his hard six packs… she wouldn't know its firmness ..but would she love to find out…this certainly isn't the scrawny little kid from Hogwarts girls wouldn't dare go out with…
"Ahem…" Harry coughed. She noticed his cocky grin and his divine body leaning gracefully on the pole of his bead, watching her fixedly while she felt embarrassed. She already felt the color drain from her face.
"Like what you see?" He smirked as he slowly made his way to her and before he could speak she beat him to it, with an unexpected, nervous tone. Oh she wants me… "Umm…I-I'mgoindownstairs.SeeyouHarry." She swiftly ran downstairs, shaking her head in mortification, leaning onto the stairs where she exhaled a deep, long wheeze. She fell on the couch vaguely. I must've stared at him for hours. Arrghhh! Her thoughts vanished when she found him, clothed, watching her mentally aggravate herself. "Shut it or else I'm stuffing the ice cream in your pants," reading his every thought. "Not complaining here. Well…shall we?" He offered her his arm and she couldn't resist not refusing, departing for their destination.
We ended up at Hogwarts after leaving the ice cream parlor, heading for the lake with the stars hovering in a crammed radiant enigma.
"So how did you like Hogwarts?" "Great! I feel like I'm getting along with the students, staff, teachers…."
"Yeah…and a little too much." He tauntingly added, licking his ice cream. "
Excuse me?" I choke on my ice cream. That was rude!
"Oh come on. You and Malfoy." "Well, we do know each other—"
"You guys dated." Where did this straightforwardness come from? Before I knew it, I'm innocently blushing like a damn fool. What's wrong with me? That was ages ago…not really.
"While you and Ron were prolifically out for Draco I busily found the good in him."
"But that git is destined for the opposite."
"Don't make assumptions about what you don't entirely know." I snap, watching his once challenging face give into defeat. My point made complete sense. There was more to Draco than what everybody else assumed him to be, just a jerk. We lay sprawled side by side under the moonlit sky. The passive silence wasn't as inconvenient anymore. I watched as Harry suddenly rose from his place, dropping the treat, reaching the lake. I studied him closely and carefully as he bent for a small rock. I drew nearer, realizing his attempt to skip rocks across the lake. Kind of weird and random, but nonetheless I watched him in frustration as the movements fail him. My dad and I use to do that…still enjoy it …well…would if I was still at home. I laugh at his 100th time and decide that he required desperate help. I pick up a pebble, standing next to him.
"First of all, your rock is way too big. Find one that you can actually cover completely with your hand." He silently picks one, of his preference, and extended his hand toward me for a verdict of his find. Good enough I thought as I nod at him.
"…Throw it as fast as you can and jerk a swing if you can." I giggle.
"…Come on Potter. That was utterly pathetic. Here." I stand right behind him as I held his arm, swinging it as hard as I can. Damn this guy has muscles…Ok. Despite the cold, why the hell am I so hot? I can hear his erratic breathing as loudly as I can hear my panting, turning, as his eyes met mine. Tonight was different…he was different. I gaze into his eyes with bewilderment trying to figure him out, but all I see is…me. I didn't even realize that he'd closed the distance between us, wrapping his arms around my waist. I impulsively ran my hand along his cheek…so soft. This feels…right yet wrong. As his lips come crashing down at mine, my eyes seriously grew as wide as my face, but settled into him as I impulsively held onto him when my knees weakened, running my hand through his hair. He smelled like mint and grass and tasted like sweet strawberry ice cream. He's certainly gifted with those lips. I was… Kissing Harry Potter..Harry Potter who rudely yet comfortably belches in my presence, Harry Potter, who I was once loathed with his corny jokes..Harry Potter who I just saw almost-naked today..Harry Potter..Well, of course he is my-Oh My! He just slipped his tongue. If this was a dream I never want to wake up. If I'm in heaven…I'd willingly die over and over again for this. What am I doing? We're getting divorced in a few months! We can't…I DEFINITELY CAN'T….I pulled away, regretting it as I noticed the disappointment on his face. He was still Harry…with the same puppy eyes, but this puppy looked like he had been kicked and beaten.
"Harry. Harry I'm sorry. This is a mistake. We agreed that—"
"Yeah, the divorce." He chuckled a throaty laugh. However, my concern and scrutiny expressed the opposite.
"Harry I—" I've never been so persistent in my life. Usually, I kept my mouth shut but he looked like…a scared boy. "Hermoine, it's okay. You don't have to explain. I just got carried away. I'm sorry." Sorry! Sorry for what? I thought. He clears his throat as the distance between us grows. "…Um…We should head home. It's getting late." I only erringly nodded in agreement as and we made our way…back to our old lives. The broom ride home wasn't easy…especially that it was on a damn wooden stick where out bodies unavoidably jammed together. When we got home, a word wasn't exchanged as we practically ran into our rooms. I heaved a long, relaxing gasp while lying on my bed. We crossed our lines…went over our boundaries...whatever it is that made us push our limits..but breaking the rules never felt like common logic. It never felt so right, so perfect. I denied it...denied him…denied my heart. I'm falling for my husband with a last thought as I tiredly drifted into a deep slumber. How awkward did that just sound?
