My Heart Belongs To You…Again
Chapter Nineteen: Without a Fight
Hermione woke up the next morning to a pair of lips on her own, a hand on her cheek, and the smell of eggs and chocolate. She smiled against Harry's lips, automatically kissing him back. He pulled away, and she opened her eyes to see her favorite person.
Harry pouted and pointed a finger at her. "Now Miss Granger what if that was a strange person who just came in and decided to kiss such a pretty lady? How did you know it was me huh?"
Hermione threw her head back against the pillow and laughed. "Because Mister Potter, I can easily tell your kisses from anyone else's. It's fairly easy actually."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Really? And exactly how are my kisses different?" He looked slightly worried at what her answer might be, causing Hermione to smile and lean closer to him. She snaked her hand around his head, kissing him. She pulled away, grinning.
"Because you're the greatest kisser I've ever kissed." Harry smiled and kissed her again, deeper than the previous times. Harry pulled away and met her eyes. A look of pain dashed across his eyes for a moment, vanishing just as fast as it appeared. Hermione saw it for the slight moment it was there and looked at Harry, concerned. "You ok?"
Harry smiled. "Yeah I'm fine. Here I brought you breakfast. Sorry it isn't the greatest thing in the world…"
Hermione smiled at him. She sat up and looked at the tray, laughing as she looked at the food on it. There were eggs, scrambled just the way she liked them, and two bowls of Coca Puffs. Harry blushed as she laughed. She reached up and kissed his cheek, motioning for him to join her on the bed. He smiled and brought the tray around, sitting next to Hermione on the other side of the bed. Hermione looked around the room for the first time and gasped.
"Harry…we slept in here last night? We didn't go home?" Harry laughed and handed her a bowl.
"No you remember? We got really tired and wanted to sleep so a bed appeared and we just figured we might as well bunk out here for the night?" Hermione smiled and nodded as she remembered the previous night. They had stayed up pretty much all night talking on the couch by the fire until they could barely keep their eyes open. A bed appeared so they moved over and laid down, falling asleep almost instantly. They both ate their breakfast fairly fast, discussing what to do that day. They finally decided on spending the day shopping in Hogsmeade, just like they used to at school.
They quickly exited the school after breakfast; thankfully everyone was still at breakfast. They both headed back to their separate homes, getting ready to meet again to shop. Hermione finally arrived back at Harry's place, where Harry had been waiting for a few moments. They headed out and entered Hogsmeade an hour and a half after leaving Hogwarts.
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand as they walked through the magical stores surrounding them. "Where to first?"
Hermione thought about it and shrugged. "I don't know. It's been a while since I've been here. Any place you want to go?"
Harry shrugged too. "It's been a while for me too." He laughed as they passed the old bookstore Hermione loved. She automatically looked at it but didn't say anything. He led her over to it, despite her complaints.
"No Harry it's ok. We don't…" Harry laughed at her again as he opened the door. She smiled and kissed his cheek, walking in still holding Harry's hand. Hermione was in heaven, shopping around, going down isle after isle, Harry following. He kept smiling at how cute she was; he always thought her little obsession with books was cute. Hermione finally picked out a book, purchased it, and led Harry out the door. "Thanks for going in there with me. Ok so I've picked, where to next?"
Harry thought about it, finally deciding where he wanted to go, laughing as it came to him. "Hermione…you've never been to Zonko's, have you?"
Hermione bit her lower lip and shook her head. "You guys always went there while I went to the bookstore. I take it that's where you want to go?"
Harry hesitated, as though he didn't want to go unless she was ok. Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand. "Well, there's a first time for everything!"
Harry smiled and led the way. They finally arrived and he nearly jumped for joy. He grinned at Hermione, causing her to laugh and led her inside. She shook her head as she entered, knowing now that this was truly a young boy's perfect place. Anything needed for pranks or jokes could be found, from things that exploded to fake hands that moved on their own. Hermione laughed as she followed Harry, who was just like a little kid again. Zonko's was more packed than the bookstore, and as the time went on, all of Hogsmeade got more and more crowded.
After the left, they noticed it must have been a weekend for Hogwarts students to visit the village. Everywhere they looked they could see the students in their House colors, laughing with friends and shopping around. As soon as they exited, a group of girls gasped and swirled around Harry, begging for an autograph from the famous wizard. Harry laughed and signed whatever they asked, more students coming near and asking for one as well. After Harry had signed about twenty-five to thirty autographs, he smiled and grabbed Hermione's hand again, blushing. "Sorry…I haven't learned to say 'no' yet."
Hermione laughed. "They admire you Harry. I think it's sweet that you're willing to sign autographs. Most people wouldn't have the patience." Harry looked at her, stopped in front of the Three Broomsticks. He leaned in close to her, right about to kiss her when a hand appeared on his shoulder, making him look at none other than Sarah.
"I'd love an autograph too Mister Potter." She batted her eyelashes at him, looking at Hermione with a fake smiled. "That is of course is you don't mind…oh…what's you name again?"
Hermione returned a smile. "Hermione. And no, Harry can sign an autograph." Sarah glared at her while Hermione just slipped her hand through Harry's. Harry bent down and gave her a quick kiss, causing Sarah to become positively pissed.
"Well aren't you too the cutest thing. Isn't it just wonderful that our Harry here is so much better? I mean…" she stared at Hermione. "…well enough to take care of himself again?"
Hermione didn't know how to answer, but she didn't have to worry about it. A little first year girl walked slowly over to Harry, glancing at him quickly, looking down at her feet when Harry looked at her. "Excuse M-Mister Potter, but I was wondering…would you mind signing this for me? That is, if you don't mind, if your busy it's ok."
Harry looked at the book and laughed. It was a copy of one of his biographies. "I'd love to sign it for you. And my name's Harry. What's you name sweetheart?"
She turned beat red. "Hannah. I'm not like a weirdo or something…I'm doing a report on you for Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. That's why I have the book so I could do research." She looked at Hermione quickly and did a double take. "Oh my gosh…are you Hermione Granger from the Golden Trio?"
Hermione blushed. "Yeah that's me."
Hannah's eyes got big. "Oh my! Wow, I never thought I'd get to meet you, especially not you and Harry at the same time! Would you mind signing my book too?" Harry laughed and started signing her book as Hermione talked to her.
"Sure. What's the project you have to do?" Harry finished his message and handed the book to Hermione, who started trying to figure out what to write, seeing as how this was her first autograph.
"We have to pick who we think the most powerful wizard or witch is to us. Mostly everyone in my class is doing you." She looked at Harry who blushed.
Hermione laughed and finally started writing. "So you picked Harry too?"
"Well, not exactly. I actually did you both." Harry and Hermione looked at each other for a minute. "I remember whenever we talked about Harry in class and everything he went through, it seemed like you were always there to help him. So I figure you guys were like a team that was more powerful than anybody! So I did you two together."
Sarah scoffed. "Please…sorry to break it to you, but you've got it wrong. Harry's the strongest; he doesn't need anyone there to 'help' him. You're like project almost makes him seem weak hun."
Hannah looked like she could cry. Hermione glared at Sarah, ready to beat her ass. Harry, on the other hand, looked at Hannah and smiled. "Don't listen to her. She just got really confused…I think you might be too smart for her sweetie." Hannah giggled. "It just went straight over her head. And hey, for reference…you're project is going to blow the others away. You've got it exactly right."
Hannah's eyes got bigger and bigger. "Really?" Harry smiled at her.
"Yup. I was always better with Hermione around. You're just going to be too smart for the world sweetie. Oh no…" he grinned at Hermione. "…you might even be smarter than Hermione was at your age!" Hannah gasped.
"You think so? Because she was really smart!" Harry and Hermione both laughed and nodded. Hermione handed her book back to her.
"Definitely. Good luck on your project!" Hannah thanked them both and ran off, a huge grin on her face. Harry turned and smiled as she went, Hermione doing the same thing. Harry turned to Sarah and stepped toward her.
"You do not need to be so rude to people you know. That was way out of line." With that he led Hermione into the Three Broomsticks, sitting her down at a table for two and ordering Butterbeers for them. He ran a hand through his hair. "Uh she's so irritating sometimes!"
Hermione smiled. "How long did you two date?"
Harry laughed. "Honestly, about a month. Actually…exactly a month. I broke it off on our one-month anniversary, which, according to Miss Sarah was a 'very assholish thing to do.' Is assholish a word?"
Hermione laughed. "I don't think so babe." Harry looked at her and leaned over the table, giving her a quick kiss. Hermione noticed something weird about it. "Harry, are you ok? There's something different about you today."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair again. "I have to leave for a little while." He sighed again, looking at Hermione. "It's for work…I'm going to Scotland to help settle a dispute between Purebloods and Muggleborns. I won't be gone too long, maybe a week or so. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just found out yesterday, and I didn't want to ruin your birthday."
Hermione just stared at him, unsure of what to say. She knew he would be coming back but it still bothered her. They'd been away from each other for three years; after they met back up, she realized she'd put up the hardest fight of her life if they ever had to be parted again. She mentally slapped herself, knowing she was being selfish and rude; it was his job after all. He couldn't do anything about it. Finally she decided to break the silence and ask the only thing she could think about. "When do you leave?"
Harry reached over and held her hand. "Tomorrow. I refused to leave yesterday, since it was your birthday, but I have to leave tomorrow. I'm really sorry."
Hermione chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's fine; at least you aren't going to face Voldemort this time." She smiled and kissed him. "Just be safe and get home as soon as you can."
Harry smiled and kissed her again. "I'll be safer than safe. Feel free to come over to my place at anytime; hell you can sleep there every night if you want. Dobby knows it's ok."
Harry kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand. Hermione smiled. "I'm going to miss you."
Harry looked deep into her eyes. "So much."
Author's Note: Just so you guys know, I'm trying to make my chapters longer. I just feel like they're short. If you don't like it, or if I'm over doing it and getting away from my writing, please let me know in a review. I write these for you; let me know how you want it!