A Love Worth Fighting For

Chapter One

Summer at Hermione's

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter! I wish I did but no JK Rowling does.

Summery: when Harry visits Hermione in the summer before their sixth year, love blossoms. The only thing is, Voldemort is searching for Harry and the one he loves. Can Harry save Hermione from this evil? Can he even save himself?

"Get down here boy and make us some breakfast!" Yelled an angry Vernon Dursley from the kitchen. Harry Potter was sitting in his room looking at a picture of him and his best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. He laid the picture down and wiped a tear from his eye. He missed his friends. His eyes flickered over to his bedside table and saw a picture that was framed in a spectacular silver frame. It was a picture of him and his godfather Sirius Black.

"Sirius". Harry whispered in pain. His eyes filled up once more as he worked his way across his room. Harry slowly climbed down the stairs and walked into the kitchen wiping the last of the tears from his eyes.

"You boy". Vernon said sharply. "What took you so long?" Harry mumbled something incoherent as he started to make bacon. As soon as the breakfast was made Harry started to make his way up the stairs. Petunia, who was acting quite nicely lately, turned to Harry as he left.

"Harry," she said "wouldn't you like something to eat?" Harry looked at her closely and then shook his head. He continued up the stairs and shut himself in his room.

Harry looked around at his floor and he started to clean. It was almost the end of July and he knew that on his birthday he would be allowed to leave the Dursley's and visit his friends. He quietly packed all of his books into his trunk. He had finished all his summer homework in the first week trying to keep his mind off of Sirius. He looked at the picture he had of him and Sirius again. Instead of crying he got angry. He walked over to it, picked it up and threw it against the wall. The glass shattered and covered the floor with slivers of it.

"WHY ME!" Harry shouted. He looked at the picture that was now on his floor covered in bits of glass. He walked over and picked it up, wiping the glass off. The picture of Sirius looked at him in a comforting way and he grasped the shoulder of Harry (in the picture). With that he burst into tears again, remembering his godfather. Harry quickly cleaned up the broken glass and slipped the picture into the photo album that Hagrid had given him in his first year. Harry sat on his bed and slowly looked through all the pictures in it. It slowly went from James and Sirius to James and Lily to all three of them. Harry turned to the second half of the album that was filled with pictures of him and Ron and Hermione. He noticed that they were mostly him and Hermione but really didn't think about it. Suddenly he reached the pictures from his fourth year. There were many pictures of him with Sirius, standing in the cave. And then the fifth year, there were so many pictures of them together in Sirius' house.

Harry had received a letter a few weeks earlier stating that 12 Grimwald Place now belonged to him, but Harry could never think about the house as his. It would always be Sirius'.

Harry slowly closed the photo album and placed in his trunk under his robes. He was wondering who was going to be his new godfather, "or godmother" he corrected himself out loud. He had written Dumbledore about this a few weeks beforehand. He had never gotten a reply.

Harry spent all day locked up in his room and was so busy packing that he didn't hear Petunia calling him for dinner. There was a knock at the door and Harry went over to open it. His Uncle Vernon stood there.

"Dinner". He said roughly and he walked back downstairs. Harry silently joined them. He hadn't eaten anything for three days and his stomach begged for food. Dudley and Vernon looked at him like he was an annoying scab that they wanted to get rid of but just couldn't, but Petunia shot a small smile in his direction which Harry returned, not out of happiness but his new-found respect for his Aunt.

After Harry had finished eating he slowly walked back to his room hoping that he could fall asleep and wake up in his crib as a one-year-old child waking up from his nap. He knew it wasn't possible but he wished all the same. Harry laid his glasses on his table, got undressed and slid into bed in his boxers. He fell asleep and was whisked away into a dream. He dreamed of a castle. It looked a little bit like Hogwarts but was smaller. A beautiful maiden was running through the doors. Harry couldn't make out the face but he knew her from somewhere. He saw that she was weeping and it put him in pain as well. Her eyes shone like diamonds and her hair was swept back into an elegant bun. She ran into his arms and wept into his chest. He smelled a deep sent of strawberries and honey. He recognized the smell but he just couldn't remember where it was from. His vision blurred and he found himself in the middle of a room. He could hear screaming. He tried to figure out ware it was coming from but he couldn't find anyone. He ran through the house until there was only one room left. Harry took a deep breath and opened the door. There stood a tall figure in a cloak and a woman who couldn't be older than twenty-two was there. He recognized the woman immediately as his mother. He looked at the figure and realized that it was Voldemort. Full of fury Harry ran towards him and tried to push him away from his mom, but his hand just slipped through. If they saw Harry there they took no notice as he watched Voldemort raise his wand. Harry gasped in horror as Voldemort used the unforgivable curse on his mother and as she fell to the ground. He rushed over. He tried to catch his mother but just like before, she went right through him. He burst into tears as Lily hit the floor. With that he stood up and walked over to where Voldemort was standing. He looked into his eyes. Voldemort turned to face him.

"You, young mister Potter". He hissed. "Will never know what it feels like to watch your soul mate die. She will have the pleasure of it. If you ever cross my path, or if I ever cross yours, you will be killed. Not like your dear mother here, you will be tortured until you can not bear it". He laughed and turned away. Harry pulled out his wand and was about to cast a spell when he felt a poking sensation on his shoulder. Harry woke up to see Hedwig on his shoulder poking him to get up.

She dropped a letter on Harry's chest and flew to her cage to sleep. Harry sat up and wiped his eyes, leaving his hand wet. He tore open the letter and began to read.

Dear Harry

How are you? I hope you are ok with having to stay with the Dursley's for the rest of the week. Remember that I'm thinking of you! Well on to the point. My Mom and Dad received a letter from Dumbledore about a week ago asking them to be your guardian. I talked to them and they decided that they would love to have you! I hope it is ok with you! My parents (and I of course) want you to come on your birthday and stay with us for the rest of the summer. I do hope you accept! I can't wait! Please write back soon Harry. I do miss hearing from you!

Love Hermione

Harry read and reread the letter again and again. He was happy that Dumbledore had asked Hermione's parents. He folded the letter and placed it on his desk. He glanced at his watch. It was 8:00 a.m. Harry quickly got dressed and went downstairs to talk to his Aunt and Uncle.

"Aunt Petunia, could I please talk to you for a moment". Harry said as he walked into the kitchen. She nodded and followed him into the living room where they sat down. Petunia looked at Harry expectantly. "Aunt Petunia, at the end of the school year my godfather, he passed on". Petunia gasped. "Yes, and it was up to the Headmaster of my school to get another guardian for me. He has chosen my best friend Hermione Granger's parents to be them. They have invited me to stay with them for the rest of the summer. They asked me to go over on my birthday, this Friday. May I go?" Petunia looked at her nephew with a look that he had never seen before. A tear glistened in her eye and it silently fell. She nodded her head and got up to leave the room. Harry hesitated and then walked over to her and hugged her. "Thank you Aunt Petunia, thank you for everything. I will be back for half of next summer if you don't mind of course". While he was saying this Petunia was shocked. At first she didn't know what to do but then as Harry was about to let go, she hugged him back. More tears fell from her eyes and a few came down from Harry's. He had never bonded with his Aunt before this and for once he felt loved. He felt that he was actually cared for in the family. When they finally let go Harry gave his Aunt a smile and he left for his room to finish packing.

It was 8:00 at night when Harry realized that he still hadn't written Hermione back. He walked over to his desk and got out a quill and parchment.

Dear Hermione

Hey! I'm great! I would love to stay with you! I can hardly wait to come! I am so excited that I get to be with you for the rest of the summer! Is your house going to be connected to Floo? I can't wait to see you! Write back soon!

Love Harry

Harry put the letter in an envelope, tied it to Hedwig's leg and sent her to bring the letter to Hermione. Again Harry got undressed and collapsed onto his bed and fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning Harry looked over at Hedwig's cage to find it empty. He was a little upset but hen realized that it was too early and Hedwig probably hadn't even reached Hermione yet. Harry looked over at his clock and saw that it was only 4:30 a.m. Harry pulled on a pair of shorts and a t- shirt and decided to go outside for a run. He quietly slipped down the stairs and ran down to the park. Harry felt more relaxed than he had ever been yet this summer. He kept running, not knowing where he was going. Harry kept thinking about how excited he was about staying with his best friend. Harry liked her. He liked her way more than a friend. He had realized this at the end of the school year. Harry wanted to tell her but when he thought of Ron he just couldn't. He knew that Ron liked Hermione; even if he never said anything, it was obvious.

Harry dropped out of his daze to find himself standing at the front door of his house. He walked inside, hoping to get a shower right away, but he wasn't so lucky. As soon as Harry closed the door the phone rang. Harry was halfway up the stairs when he started to hear yelling. He could hear his Uncle Vernon yelling at someone on the phone. He ran back downstairs to see what was going on. He reached his Uncle just as his Aunt did. Petunia pulled the receiver away from him and apologized to the person that was on the phone. Harry turned to walk back up the stairs when Petunia called him back.

"Harry, the phone is for you". Harry ran over to the phone and picked it up.

"Hello". He said.

"Hi Harry!" said a feminine voice.

"Hermione!" He said happily and she giggled.

"Harry!" She said mockingly. "I got your letter today. I can't wait!"

"Neither can I. I'm so happy that Dumbledore asked you and your parents". Hermione laughed.

"Well, I can't talk for too long, my mom needs to use the phone, so I'll get right to the point".

"Okay".

"Well on Friday, our house won't be connected to the Floo Network, so, my parents are coming to pick you up at about 11:00, in the morning of course".

"You'll be there too right?"

"Of course".

"Good". Harry smiled thinking that in two days he would be with Hermione.

"Harry? Are you there?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, sorry, I'll be ready before eleven".

"Ok well, I have to go. Bye Harry, I love you".

"I love you too Hermione". Replied Harry, wishing that he could tell Hermione just how much he actually did. "Bye".

"Bye Harry". Hermione hung up the phone. Harry stood there for a moment and then he too hung up. Harry turned to go back upstairs when he bumped into Vernon Dursley.

"Who was that?" He asked rudely. Harry looked at him ready to punch, but he held back.

"That was my best friend Hermione. I'm going to her house on Friday, and I won't be back until next summer". Harry slipped past his Uncle and went upstairs to take his shower.

The next day went by pretty fast. Harry spent most of the day in his room packing. On Friday, Harry's birthday, Harry woke up quite early. Again he went out for a run. Harry got back at around 9:30. He had been gone for 3 ½ hours! He quickly ran to his room and got ready. The previous day he had finished packing but he still ran around looking for odds and ends that he had forgotten. Finally Harry was satisfied and got a shower. By the time Harry had shaved and gotten dressed, it was ten-to-eleven. He grabbed his trunk and pulled it down to the entranceway. After Harry had dropped it Petunia walked up to him.

"Happy birthday Harry". She slipped a gift into his hand and walked away. Harry sat down on his trunk and opened it. He picked up a wand. Confused, he read the note that was sitting under it.

Harry

This wand was your mothers. I have been keeping it for you. Happy Birthday, love Aunt Petunia.

Harry looked at the wand and was about to cry but stopped himself just as he heard a car pull into the driveway. He opened the door just in time to see a brown haired girl running towards him

"Hermione!" Harry said looking at her. "You're beautiful!" It was true. Hermione was wearing a light blue mini skirt, a white spaghetti strap shirt with white sneakers. She had her hair swept away from her face with a silver headband. Harry noticed that her hair was no longer curly, but straight and layered.

"Thanks Harry". She answered giving Harry a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday". Harry grinned and held the door open so she could get in. Dudley, who was getting ready to go over to his friend Piers' house, looked over at Hermione and whistled.

"Nice". He said looking at her. Hermione looked embarrassed but Harry was angry. He took one step towards him and Dudley ran away in fear, holding his bottom. Harry smiled and turned back toward Hermione.

"Shall we go?" He asked offering her his arm. She giggled and took it. Harry picked up his trunk and he and Hermione walked out to Hermione's parents' car.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger. How are you?" Harry asked.

"Fine Harry, just fine". Mr. Granger said with a smile. "And none of this Mr. And Mrs. Granger stuff. It's Frank and Elizabeth".

"Yes Mr. Gran- I mean Frank". Harry said with a grin. Hermione helped Harry put his trunk in the trunk and then they slid into the backseat.

"So, Harry". Frank said with a grin. "How are you?"

"I'm fine Sir".

"Good, good. I hear it's your birthday, happy birthday".

"Thank you Sir".

"Harry, this isn't the army. I'm not "Sir" I'm Frank ok".

"Ok Sir". With that Frank and Elizabeth laughed. The ride to Hermione's house was pretty long; it took them about three hours to get to the house.

"Here we are," said Hermione, jumping out of the car. Harry followed her up the driveway and into a beautiful house. It was huge. It had three stories and there was a pool in the backyard.

"Harry, come on and bring your trunk, I'll show you to your room". Harry picked up his trunk and followed Hermione up to the second floor. She led him into a bedroom that looked like it was made for him. The room was painted dark red and in the middle of the room there was a Mahogany, king size, four-poster bed with a red blanket. There was a Mahogany desk, bedside table and dresser and all the doors were Mahogany. "This is your room, for whenever you are here. I decorated it for you all by myself!" Harry laughed and pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks 'Mione". Hermione smiled, obviously pleased with herself. She walked over to a closed door.

"This is the bathroom. And my room is right through the door on the other side. If the door is closed, PLEASE knock".

"Kay, no problem". Hermione walked back over to Harry and grabbed his hand.

"Come on. Let's go get something to eat. Then we can go swimming!" with that she pulled him down to the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Harry and Hermione were in their rooms getting changed. Harry heard a knock at his door and Hermione walked in with a t-shirt over her bathing suit. Harry grabbed a towel and followed Hermione down to the pool. They laughed and talked all the way down there. When they got there Harry jumped in as Hermione pulled off her shirt to revile a baby blue bikini. She walked over to the diving board and did a perfect dive into the water. Harry, who was watching, started to clap. Hermione swam over to him and splashed him. Harry splashed back and that started a war. For twenty minutes the two of them chased each other around the pool. Harry had his hands on Hermione's shoulders, about to dunk her, but she looked at him with her puppy dog eyes and he couldn't do it. They stayed like that for a few minutes, and then Harry leaned in and kissed her. She was surprised at first but then she pushed in and the kiss deepened and it grew more passionate. Finally when they pulled apart Harry looked embarrassed. Hermione got out of the pool, sat on the swinging bench and patted the seat next to her as if to tell Harry to sit beside her and Harry obeyed.

"Harry, I need to tell you something. I like you. I've liked you since the second year. I just never told you. In fact, I think I'm in love with you". Harry looked at her.

"'Mione, I love you too. I always have. I want to be with you, but I never thought you felt the same way". Harry leaned in for another kiss. She gladly accepted it. "Hermione?"

"Mhmm".

"I was wondering... would you be my girlfriend?"

"Of course, you don't know how long I've been waiting for you to ask me that". Harry pulled her close to him.

"There's just one thing. Can we not tell anybody, I don't want Ron to find out. He likes you, a lot".

"I know. He called me a few days ago and asked me to be his girlfriend. I had to say no. I couldn't go out with him". Harry hugged her and then checked his watch.

"Holy, 'Mione, it's five-thirty. We should probably go inside". They stood up, hand in hand and walked back into the house to get dressed.

By six O'clock, Harry and Hermione were both showered and dressed. Hermione told Harry that the two of them were going out for his birthday.

"Hermione, it's ok. We can stay here".

"No, Harry. You have never had a good birthday dinner. I am taking you out".

"Fine," said Harry. He knew there was no arguing with her. "Where are we going?"

"To the Mandarin. It's Chinese. I know how much you love it so I made reservations for tonight. It's fancy so no jeans". Harry groaned and walked back into his room to change. Five minutes later Hermione walked in to see Harry struggling with his tie.

"How can you have so much trouble tying a tie? You wear one everyday at school".

"Those ones are clip-on ok. I never tied a tie in my life". Hermione laughed and tied it for him.

"There you go. Now let's go, my Dad is waiting to take us". Harry and Hermione walked down into the hallway. Harry finally got a chance to look at what she was wearing. She was stunning. Hermione was wearing a red strapless dress and red strappy sandals. She had her hair pulled back into an elegant knot at the back of her head, held together with a red butterfly pin.

The three of them got into the car and drove to the restaurant. Harry and Hermione got out of the car, thanked Frank and went inside. The whole dining area was filled with little tables for two with candles on each table. There were about five couples sitting and eating. A girl walked over to them.

"We have a table reserved, under the name Granger," said Hermione. The girl looked at a sheet of paper and nodded.

"Right this way please". Harry and Hermione followed her over to a small table near a window. They sat down and the lady took their drink orders and left.

"It's so romantic here," whispered Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm glad we came. I want to come back here someday with you". Hermione looked at Harry and smiled. This is exactly what she had imagined her first date would be like; calm, quiet and romantic. She had always hoped Harry would be the one with her, and he made the dream a reality.

Dinner was quiet and peaceful, but not nearly as long as Harry would have hoped. They walked back to Hermione's house slowly, hand in hand.

Star in a Daze: I hope you like it! I'll try to update soon! Please R&R