Summer Love

Chapter 8

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, everybody, but I've been really busy and I was on a retreat this weekend and everything, so… forgive me, will you?

Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. If it did, I'd be richer than the Queen of England, but I'm not. J.K. Rowling is.

And to the story:

Hermione awoke early in the morning. The birds called to each other outside her window. She smiled to herself, remembering the events of the night before. Finally grasping what had happened, she sat up swiftly.

"Harry kissed me," she confirmed to herself quietly. "He kissed me!"

Humming happily, she picked out an outfit for the day, her new blue skirt and red shirt, and hopped into the shower. She got out and dressed in the clothes and bounced joyfully around her room until golden rays of summer sunlight filtered through her window, lighting up her room, blue as a clear summer sky. She bustled to and fro, tidying her bureau, straightening up her desk.

"It's going to be a wonderful day," she commented to the singing birds and her empty room, her chest swelling with joy.

At long last, feeling she couldn't keep from him any longer, Hermione strolled over to Harry's room. She had tried to let him sleep, really she had, but it wasn't fair that he sleep while she waited anxiously for him to get up. Hermione loved mornings, she loved the way the fresh sunlight made patterns on the walls and doors.

She paused with a second's hesitation outside of Harry's door. What if it had all been a mistake? What if he didn't actually like her? Did she really deserve someone as good and kind and loving as him? Hermione reached out her hand and took hold of the doorknob just as she had the night before. Last night she had anticipated a duel to the death with Voldemort awaiting her on the other side, but somehow a more terrible fear built up in her heart, staying her hand and stirring her mind.

'The worst that can happen is that Harry says it was a mistake,' the rational side of her mind assured her soothingly. 'The worst? The worst? Oh, that's the worst that can happen, is it?' sneered the pessimistic side of her mind, the side of her mind she didn't much like at the moment. 'It's now or never.'

Hermione would never know from which side of her mind that statement issued, for at that moment she did something that she feared to a terrible extent. She turned the doorknob and entered the room. Harry's sleeping silhouette rested on the bed, his black hair, the only part of him above the covers, stood out sharply against the scarlet walls.

Hermione walked slowly to the large windows and, mastering her fears, threw the shade up, letting light into the room. Harry shrunk away from the light, but did not move otherwise.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," she sang in what she hoped were cheery tones. Again, Harry didn't move, but he smiled in his sleep.

Hermione let her uncertainties drift away and smiled, too. She threw open the windows, letting in a soft breeze that blew her hair around her face.

"Wake up and embrace the day!" she chorused, throwing her arms wide as if she intended to do just that. She knelt and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

Slowly he opened his eyes and awoke. "Hey, beautiful," he murmured, seeing Hermione's face close to his.

She grinned elatedly, leaning in for a kiss. Getting one, she cried, "Get up. I may be beautiful, but the day awaiting us is more so!"

He complied, getting out of bed and stumbling into the bathroom. She laid out his casual outfit of cargo pants and a green t-shirt and went to wait for him outside.

About a half an hour later, that's where he found her. Out in the hall absorbed in a book of poetry she had found in another guest room.

"Hello," he greeted, gazing fondly down at her.

"Oh, hello, Harry," she answered, putting the book down and looking up at him. "Wow, you look handsome," she noted, scrutinizing him. Harry blushed under her stare. "Hot date?" she teased.

"Well, yes, actually," replied Harry, enjoying their banter. "Quite a beautiful young lady, now that you mention it."

"Why, thank you," she smiled. "Would you care to join me for breakfast?" she inquired, holding out her arm.

"Of course, milady," he breathed, rather enjoying their little act. He took her hand and leisurely brought it to his lips, kissing it and leaving Hermione feeling rather warm.

"Oh, come on, you goof," she said breathlessly, tingles running down her hand where he had kissed it.

"What, can't you outlast the marvelous Harry Potter, master of passion and romance?" he grinned tauntingly.

"I could outlast you any day, Mr. Potter. I just don't care to waste time in such a manner at the moment," Hermione retaliated, beginning to lead him down the stairs by the hand.

"Wuss," he said under his breath, so that she could just hear him. She ignored the comment, rubbing the back of her hand.

As they sat down to breakfast, Hermione admitted to herself, 'There is no way I could outlast him.'

They spent the day running around the backyard and front yard, in and out of the pool. They played tag for a long time until Hermione felt her lungs would burst. All day Harry sensed that Hermione was drawing up a plan, but he couldn't quite fathom what.

After the day was nearly done and the couple was watching the sun sink below the horizon, Hermione finally revealed her scheme to Harry.

"Harry?" Hermione sighed, her head resting on his strong shoulder.

"Yeah, Mione?" Harry responded.

"I've been thinking," she commented slightly drowsily.

"Oh dear. Should I be worried?" inquired Harry, laughing.

"No. I was just remembering that the park in my neighborhood is doing a fireworks display tonight," she stated, sitting up. "And I was wondering if you'd like to go see it."

"Sounds like fun," he answered, also sitting up.

"Yay!" cheered Hermione, jumping up.

"Ok, so I suppose we'll just wear our casual outfits," asked Harry, following her into the house.

"Yup," confirmed Hermione.

AN: What'd ya think? Good? Bad? Also, I've run out of what I'd already written before hand and I'm running out of ideas. If you've got any please review and tell me in a review. Thanks! REVIEW!