Hey everybody back again. I'm trying to get these chapters out fast as I'm sure you can tell. I want to say thanks again to everyone who reviews.
Chapter 19 – I love you
It was Saturday morning and Harry and Hermione were just sitting down to breakfast when the phone rang. "I'll get it" Harry said walking out of the room.
Hermione nodded and turned back to stacking Pancakes on Ashlynn's plate. "Mummy, do I really get to go to Mr. Malfoy's house?" she asked excitedly.
"Yes you do," she said pouring the syrup. "I like it there. It's really pretty" Ashlynn continued. "Yes it is," she answered shortly.
Hermione felt bad for not sounding so enthused about the trip. It wasn't that she was worried about her being with Draco. She didn't anymore.
It was just that she would have to share her daughter now and it weighed heavy on her heart.
She placed the syrup back next to the milk just as Harry walked in. He looked a little perturbed. "I'm afraid I got some bad news," he said sitting down.
"What is it?" Hermione asked. "It appears I need to check in on my assignment. So I have to leave in ten minutes."
He sighed as her face fell.
"You're going to have to take Ashlynn to the manor by yourself." "But Harry I thought we agreed to take her together." She groaned.
"I know we did. And I really want to be there. But this case is serious Mione" he explained. "You understand right," he added.
"Yeah I understand" she replied with a frown.
Harry placed his fork on the table and grabbed her hand. "Hey you know there is nowhere else I'd rather be right?"
She smiled "I know" she said.
Hermione began to finish her breakfast as he gathered his things. It wasn't like she couldn't take her on her own. She just wanted to spend sometime with Harry.
Even if it was just as friends.
Walking back into the dining room Harry placed a kiss on Ashlynn's head "Have a good time today sweetie" he said. "Okay daddy" she said taking a big bite of her pancake.
Leaning over toward Hermione he stopped himself from almost kissing her. Recovering before she noticed he placed his hand in a friendly pat.
"I'll see you tonight" he said.
He left, closing his eyes after he closed the door. For a minute he lingered in the hall. He didn't know how long he could keep this up.
Harry found hiding his feelings for her wasn't as easy as planned. Sighing one last time he headed off to his office.
"Good morning beautiful" he whispered in her ear. Stirring Ginny opened her eyes and smiled. "Good morning yourself" she said.
"Sorry to wake you. But I was so lonely here all awake" Draco pretended to pout and she laughed. "What time is it?" she asked yawning.
"Just a little past ten" he told her. "Hmm, so that leaves an hour till Ashlynn gets here. Maybe I could keep you company till then" she teased.
"Oh really" he said raising an eyebrow. "Whatever will we do?"
"We could talk I guess" she said smiling.
"Talk?" he spat as he began to tickle her. "Or not" she screamed with laughter trying to twist to get away from him.
"Oh, I got something we can do and it's not talking" he said smirking.
"And that is?" she chuckled.
"Wait and see" was all he said as he threw the covers over their heads.
Hermione smiled down at her daughter as they waited for someone to answer the door. Ashlynn was so excited she could barely contain herself.
To say she was surprised was an understatement when Ginny opened the door. "Oh, hello Ginny" Hermione said hoping she didn't sound too shocked.
"Ginny" Ashlynn cried wrapping her chubby arms around Ginny's legs. "I… umm didn't expect to see you here." Hermione said.
"I can explain that" Draco said coming up behind her. "Why don't you come on in?" he said stepping inside.
Hermione spent the next half an hour listening to Draco tell her of his new found love for Ginny. She was astonished but relieved that he had finally had a chance at happiness.
"I'm so happy for you both. Really I am. Nobody deserves love more than you two." She said with a grin.
Ginny cleared her throat before placing her coffee mug down. "Hermione" she began. "I know I haven't been a true friend these past couple weeks."
"And I know I very well may never get another chance at it again. But I want you to know it was never my intentions to hurt you or Harry. I only wanted to help him."
She smiled softly as Draco held her hand. "For reasons which I'm sure you understand now."
Hermione put her hand up to signal her to stop. "Say no more Gin," she said. "While I still think what you did was wrong. I know your reasons were right."
"After all there was no harm done and Draco is free to know Ashlynn. I still want you to be my friend." Hermione smiled as Ginny looked on at her with teary eyes.
"Hermione, I love you," she said hugging her friend. "And I you. Just promise the next time you will impaled to fix something, talk to me first" she chuckled.
"I swear it," she said laughing too.
Hermione glanced over at Ashlynn playing with some dolls in the corner. "Well she seems settled so I'm going to get out of here"
"Okay, I'll call you before I bring her home" Draco said.
"Sounds good. And I'm so happy for both of you"
With one last wave to her daughter Hermione left.
Walking down the driveway Hermione sighed. So Draco found love. It was fantastic, wonderful. She had never been happier for him then she was right now.
She could only imagine what that must feel like. To love somebody with all your heart and have them feel the same. They truly were happy, she could tell just by watching them.
How she wished things could be like that between her and Harry. But their love was one sided. Sure he cared for her she was his best friend.
But it wasn't that drop everything your doing, desperate aching, couldn't get enough kind of love. Could she really live her life like that?
Deeply in love with Harry and not being able to act on it. No she didn't think she could.
It was in that moment she decided she didn't want to anymore. She was going to tell Harry the truth. The time had come for her to stop being afraid and tell her husband what she wanted him to know.
She loved him more than life itself.
It wasn't until she reached the corner that Hermione realized Harry might not be in his office. He was handling a mission.
And that meant he might have dashed off to work on it. Or he could be out getting lunch? He did hate the food at the ministry.
Still it was a little early for lunch. Harry rarely ate before noon and the ministry was just a short walk away. Hopefully she'd find him sitting behind his desk.
But the possibility of not being able to tell him took a toll on her and she hastened her step. Oblivious of the glances she received from a couple of men who she passed by.
Frustration set in when she felt she wasn't walking fast enough. She had to get there before she lost her nerve. Hermione's heart was thudding in her chest by the time she stepped into the booth.
The anticipation of what he would say put her in quite a nervous state.
She turned to grab the phone when an idle glance to her right sent her heart skittering to a halt, much the same way her arm did.
For right across the street in the coffee shop, sat her husband. With a woman. A dark haired woman.
Not Lavender. Hermione wouldn't have minded him having coffee with Lavender. The sight of him sitting opposite this dark haired girl however had the hairs on the back of her neck standing upright.
For it was Cho. Cho Chang, Harry's ex girlfriend.
Hermione never really had a problem with Cho when they attended Hogwarts. But she never felt she was right for Harry.
Hermione remembered when they first got married she found a picture of Cho on a broom. At the time, she hadn't overly cared that he kept a photo of his ex girlfriend. The Hermione who'd gone into marriage with her head and not her heart wasn't about to tell her husband what he could and couldn't do.
Hermione could not stop staring at her through the booth. Her eyes glued to the way Cho's hand stretched out across the table, covering one of Harry's in a highly intimate fashion.
He wasn't pulling it away either.
The emotional storm that immediately brewed up within Hermione's chest took her breath away. Her jealousy was fierce, as was her hurt.
He was her husband. Her man. Her love. She would not share him. She loved him.
The very idea floored her. Then appalled her.
She wished now she didn't love him, especially not in the way that evoked such a dark and powerful jealousy. It was a curse, that kind of love. It warped minds and destroyed lives.
But even as she told herself not to be jealous her jealousy increased, fuelling an explosive anger within her tighten chest.
Yet Harry wasn't really doing anything wrong, she tried telling herself. Just having coffee with an old flame. And in public, for heaven's sake.
It wasn't as though he was whisking her way for a romantic holiday. And it was Cho who was doing the touching. She was probably one of those touchy- feelie kind of girls.
Then let her be touchy-feelie with some other man, came the savage thought. Not mine!
The temptation to barge in there and slap the bitch's face was acute. Too acute. Horror that she was acting the way Draco once did propelled Hermione to pick up the phone and state her business.
Hermione crossed to the lifts once she made inside the ministries. And practically fell into one, grateful that it was empty. She didn't want anyone to see the ugliness in her face.
For jealousy was ugly. Ugly and destructive. By the time the lift opened on the twelfth floor, Hermione pulled herself together enough to walk a head into the Aura department.
"Hello maxis" she said breezily as she came down the hall. The receptionist looked up and smiled. "Awe, good morning Hermione" she said.
"What brings you here?" she asked Hermione. "Well I was going to call Harry but then I decided to surprise him instead"
Hermione studied her trying to find any hint of cover up in her expression.
"He isn't here now dear. He's stepped out for coffee. But he should be back shortly. Why don't you wait in his office and I'll call him."
Hermione could feel her smile turning brittle. Were women employees always this protective of their bosses? Did Maxis lie for Harry on a regular basis?
How many other times had she covered for him? She wondered. Maybe Harry was having an affair behind her back? It was possible. He didn't love her, after all.
"Yes please do that" she said hoping she sounded polite and not as vicious as she was feeling toward the woman. "I'll wait in his office," she added.
And headed straight in there, closing the door firmly behind her. Best she be alone for a while with the way she was feeling. She couldn't trust herself to continue to act normally.
Yet she must by the time Harry arrived. To start questioning him over where he'd been and whom he'd been with would be the kiss of death to their already rocky relationship.
He might leave her again. And losing Harry again was an even far worse fate than loving him. She had to learn how to hide her love, and to control her jealousy. Really, she had no evidence that he'd been unfaithful.
But if he were innocent, wouldn't he tell her he'd just had coffee with his ex? Hopefully, when he got there he would. She spent sometime pacing the office.
But all she could think about was how long it was taking Harry to tear himself away from his beloved Cho. He was only downstairs, after all.
How long did it take to say goodbye and get himself up here?
Finally, the door to the office burst open and there he was, looking as drop-dead gorgeous as ever, his handsome face beaming, his eyes showing nothing but delight at her visit.
"Hermione, what a surprise. Everything go okay with Ashlynn?" he said as he closed the door and came forward. Hermione stiffened a little as he moved to hug her.
"It went great. Draco and Ginny have actually decided to become a couple," she told him. Harry grinned and not noticing her reluctance pulled her into a hug.
"Wow I didn't see that coming" he said "That doesn't surprise me" she said rather frostily.
He looked startled for a second, and then he laughed. "Oh, like you did"
"So what do you have planned for the day?" he asked kissing her on the cheek. His kiss made her forget her jealousy for a few moments, but the second his lips lifted it was back with a vengeance, digging away at her.
"Oh, nothing really. So I was disappointed when you weren't here," she heard herself say. "Where were you?"
"Just downstairs, having coffee." He said walking to his desk. "All by yourself?" she asked him.
"No. I wasn't. I was with someone actually." Here it was he was going to tell her. "Oh, who?" she asked waiting his answer.
"Just someone concerning my mission." He shrugged. His twisting of the truth was like a dagger to her heart. So he didn't tell her.
"How about we go get some lunch" he asked her. Hermione bit her bottom lip. This was it. One of those moments when you had to decide the path your life was going to take.
She could confront Harry about having seen him with Cho. Or turn a blind eye. It was then when she felt sick to her stomach.
"Mione?" Harry said noticing her clutch her stomach. "Is something wrong?" She nodded her head no as the feeling let up.
Hermione had made up her mind. "I guess I'm just a little tired" "Maybe we should skip lunch and you can get a nap" he said sounding concerned.
Maybe he'd just run into Cho by accident. Maybe his sidestepping her identity meant nothing. And maybe not…
"Do you really want to have lunch with me?" she said. "Of course I do. If you feel up to it. Come on let's go have a fabulous lunch," he said grabbing her hand.
Hermione felt reasonably happy as Harry swept her out of his office and through the hallway. If only she hadn't taken the last glance over her shoulder at Maxis when she said goodbye.
The lady had a look of extreme relief as some major crisis had just passed. What crisis could have possibly have just passed, unless it was that boss's wife hadn't found out he was meeting his ex, and that… oh, god, not that.
Surely not that. He couldn't be in love with Cho, could he?
Hermione could cope with Harry not loving her. But not with his being in love with somebody else. If Hermione wasn't so angry or if she could read minds.
She would have known that the look of relief maxis gave was because she was so happy she and Harry had worked things out. She knew how much Harry loved his wife.
She wasn't quite acting herself Harry realized as he watched her through lunch. She was too bright, too bubbly and that just wasn't Hermione.
The Hermione he knew was a coolly confident woman. Usually sure of her self. She wasn't a try hard sort of person. And Harry could tell she was trying hard to do something.
Maybe she was feeling worse then she lead on. Or maybe everything that had happened with Draco had finally begun to take their toll on her.
Hermione had no idea how much he admired her staying strong through this decision to allow Draco to see Ashlynn. He had to admit, she was taking it a lot better than he was.
She and Hermione was his whole life and seeing Cho again today had underlined that fact.
She was the same Cho he remembered from his days at Hogwarts. Very emotional and seemed to love crying a lot. He was surprised to learn her husband was the man in question he was trying to find.
And even more surprised when she turned up at his office. He'd only taken her downstairs for a cup of coffee because she started pulling on him begging him to find her husband.
Harry didn't find her need to cling to him amusing either. As it was, she'd still grabbed his hand over coffee, holding on so hard that it was just easier to leave it there then pull away.
His only emotion as he listened to her pleas had been amazement. Amazement that after falling in love with Hermione that he ever thought her loved Cho.
Maxis phone call to say Hermione was in the office had been a godsend. He wasn't really good with emotional woman and it still took him a few minutes to leave her as she continued to cry.
But he finally managed to call a cab for her making sure she didn't follow him back to the office. He might not be able to tell Hermione he loved her, but he didn't want her to think he was cheating.
Women were sometimes quick to jump to conclusions like that, especially where another attractive woman was concerned.
Even though she was an ex of his it was not what you wanted floating around your office when the wife you loved was there.
Hermione had opened her mouth to say something when Harry's phone rang causing him to swear under his breath. He should have turned the darn thing off.
Pulling it from his robes, he flipped it open and put it to his ear. "Yes?" he said rather impatiently. "Neville here, Harry. Sorry to bother you. I understand your having lunch with Hermione, but news just came in on Michael Langston. There's a tip he was seen in Romania." Neville said.
"I could be worth a look, if you get there tonight, you just may find him and bring him in"
"Tonight" Harry repeated, glancing over the table at Hermione.
"This may be your only chance Harry. You can't miss it," he told him.
Harry didn't want to leave Hermione tonight but Neville was right. A chance like this might not come again.
"Okay" he agreed. "Great" Neville said and hung up. Harry pulled a face as he slipped his phone back into his robes. "This is unfortunate timing," he said.
"I have to go away. This afternoon. To Romania. It should be only for tonight, but possibly two if I don't complete the mission tomorrow."
"Oh" Hermione said, a momentary cloud crossing her eyes. Bit then it was gone "Oh well, it can't be helped, I suppose. That's your job." She smiled.
"Maybe I'll go stay with Lavender and Seamus. I haven't really seen much of them lately or the baby"
"That's good. I know she has missed you" Harry said. "I think I'm through with lunch," she said pushing aside her half eaten food. "You'll want to be packing," she said.
"No time. I'll use the spare clothes at the office. I should get going" He called for the waiter and the bill. "I'll get you a taxi"
"No need I'll just apperate" she replied, "Are you sure Mione. You don't seem to feel well" he said concerned.
"I'll be okay to apperate, don't be silly," she laughed. It was a forced laugh but she did it.
Five minutes later he was waving as she popped away and resenting what he once appreciated. He didn't want Hermione being so agreeable anymore.
He didn't want her not really caring about him leaving for missions and what he did when he was there.
She was an enigma, all right. Then again, she always had been. Even now, knowing everything about her, he still didn't totally understand her.
But he did love her. More than he could have ever thought possible. He hated leaving her, even for one night. He'd find Michael and complete this mission by tomorrow and get back by tomorrow night, or his name wasn't Harry Potter.
Hermione's agitation increased as the afternoon wore on. She could not settle on anything. She paced around the house, still thinking of the events from earlier.
She couldn't even play with Ashlynn. All she could do was think about Harry in Romania, not on a mission but having a good time with Cho.
It was too much of a coincidence, his having coffee with her and then dashing off like that the same day. Jealousy bore through her like a worm.
Yet she hated feeling jealous. Hermione moaned. She couldn't bear the thought of her husband being in that woman's arms. Not for a minute, let alone a night or two.
Maybe he never stopped caring for Cho. After all she did kind of put his life on hold. Hermione then thought of Ron. Yes Ron knew much more about Harry relationship with Cho than she did.
She would make him tell her what he knew, Hermione thought as she raced into the kitchen, snatched up the phone and pressed number one.
The numbers of both Harry's best friends were programmed in. Ron was number one. Seamus number two. Frustration set in when Ron didn't answer right away.
If it kept on ringing it would cut to his answering machine. If it did she would just hang up.
"Ron Weasley" he said. "Oh, Ronald. Thank god you're home"
"Hermione? Is that you?" he asked his friend. "Yes, it's me I …" she sighed rolling her eyes.
"How you feeling. I heard you weren't feeling to well" he exclaimed. Hermione grimaced. "Harry told you about that, did he?
"Well of course, he was worried sick about you" "Was he really?" she said, far too drily. Her tone brought silence from the other end of the line.
"I don't want to talk about that," she said abruptly. "Look Ron, tell everything you know about Harry and Cho"
There was silence again till he asked "Why?" She sighed "Ron you have to tell me everything. I mean it. I need to know"
"Hermione I…" he began. "I think he's gone away with her. With Cho" she barked into the phone getting annoyed by his hesitation.
"What? I don't believe that" he cried. "Ronald I saw them having coffee together today and they looked pretty cozy to me. I went to tell Harry something."
She left the something to her herself. "Then later over lunch, he gets a call and suddenly he has to go to Romania for the night. I don't believe in that kind of coincidence, Ron. He still loves her, doesn't he?" she said.
"No damn it. Hermione I don't think he does." Ron sighed.
"Tell me Ron, You wanted so badly to help me before. Help me now. You know I know you do" she begged him.
"Hell, Mione that's all in the past. Things have changed since then, Harry has changed."
"Ron" she yelled. "Stop trying to protect the man. Give it to me straight. I can cope with the truth. I can't cope with the lies.
More silence from the other end.
"Ron please" she begged again. "Oh, all right" he said with a disgruntled sigh. "But I think you're barking up the wrong tree"
Her told her how Harry had liked Cho and wanted to take her to the yull ball. How they saw each other shortly into fifth year and how they broke up because of her constant questioning about Cedric.
"There was a time when he was awed by Cho. But I'm positive he doesn't think so now" Ron went on, an urgency in his voice. "Remember how jealous he was of you and Draco? He doesn't give a damn about Cho anymore. I'd put my money on it."
"Look, let me ring Harry and talk to him. I'll bet he…" "No" Hermione cut in firmly. "No please don't do that. This is my problem," she added.
"I have to deal with this alone. Promise me you'll stay out of it" "But" Ron argued.
"Promise me Ron!" she pleaded to him. The time had come to take action.
"Bye Ron" she said
"Hey" he cried. "Before you go, promise me something" "What?" she said as her eyebrow rose.
"Call me when you find out you're wrong" and he hung up.
Hearing the dial tone Hermione quickly pressed the number two. "Lav," she said as her friend picked up. "Hermione, I was wondering when you were going to call" Lavender laughed.
Hermione frowned, "I know I've been very distant here lately. And I would really like to catch up. But unfortunately that's not why I called"
"Oh… umm. Okay" Lavender said confused. Hermione winced she really missed her friend but right now she had to find her husband. She had to confirm her fears.
"I was actually wondering if you mind watching Ashlynn for me. Something has came up and I don't think she should accompany me." Hermione told her.
"Is everything okay" her friend asked sounding worried. "I'm not sure Lav," was all she offered.
"You know I'll watch her. Just bring her over when your ready" Lavender said.
"Thanks Lav. you're the best" "I know" she laughed.
Lavender hung up and frowned. Something was wrong with Hermione. You weren't best friends with someone for years and not know when they were troubled.
But obviously she wasn't ready to talk about it so all she could do was help her by babysitting and hope everything was okay.
Harry couldn't help but wonder where Hermione was. He called home as soon as he checked in. But there was no answer. When he tried her cell, she had it turned off.
He left her a message but still no word, which was odd. They never lived in each other's pockets, but he always kept in touch when he was away on missions.
She did say she might stay and Lav and Seamus's. He contemplated ringing there and finding out if she was. But that would be a little bit much. He didn't want to start acting like a creep and checking up on her.
No. He'd have a shower, and then go to bed. Maybe she would call him in the morning. He did wonder how Ashlynn faired with Draco.
Harry had just switched off the water in the shower when he thought he heard someone knocking on the door. Throwing on a robe he hurried through to the sitting area.
He tried to smooth his wild wet hair down but was failing miserably. Yes someone was definitely knocking at his door.
"Who is it?" he demanded through the door, puzzled. Nobody knew he was here but him and a few others. He doubted any of them would come to call.
"It's me Harry" came the truly amazing reply. Hermione.
"Mione!" Harry whipped of the locks and opened the door. And there she was, looking beautiful but extremely uptight.
He didn't know whether to be delighted or worried. "What on earth are you doing here?" he blurted out.
"Just felt the need to see you," she said, all the while looking him up and down in the strangest fashion. Not sexually. Assessingly.
"Okay, but why?" he asked clearly confused.
"Aren't you going to let me in?" Her chilly tone stunned him. She didn't wait for an invitation. She just forged past him, turning left and heading straight for the bedroom.
And then it hit him. She thought he was here with someone. She'd followed him, hoping to catch him out with some woman.
Bloody hell! Harry banged the door shut and charged after her. By the time she reached the room, which had few places to hide a partner in adultery. Harry watched her frown as she glanced around.
"Perhaps you'd better check out the bathroom" he threw at her. "She might be hiding behind the shower curtain"
"If there was a stupid shower curtain," he muttered under his breath when she actually did as he suggested.
By the time Hermione returned, Harry was almost gratified to see that all the blood had drained from her face, leaving her skin even more pale than usual.
"Your alone" she said, her eyes wide with surprise. "Are you sure?" he grounded out. "She might be running late. Whoever she is"
"Why Cho of course. The woman you love" she yelled close to tears.
"Cho! Bloody hell, Hermione. Are you mental? I'm not in love with Cho," he yelled back.
Color zoomed back into her face. "Don't you lie to me Harry Potter. I saw you two together. Today. Holding hands"
Harry gasped, "She was holding my hand. Her husband is my client. She was worried about me being able to find him."
Hermione's eyes flared open wide "Your client's wife?"
"Yes, my clients…" Harry broke off and just stared at her. For the rest of his life, he would never forget this wondrous moment, when Hermione's uncharacteristic actions suddenly made sense and he realized his deepest wish had come true.
"You were jealous," he said, his voice as stunned as his suddenly joyous soul.
Her face twisted, her eyes tormented. "I…I…I…was wrong."
"No, not wrong, Mione" he said as he came forward and drew her into his arms. "You've never been more right in all your life. You love me Hermione, don't you?"
"Oh god" she cried into his chest. "I'm such a fool"
Those words made him soar higher than any firebolt ever did. "If you're a fool, then I'm one too. Because I love you"
Her eyes turned to liquid pools as she stared up at him. "You love me?" she chocked out.
"With all my heart. I nearly died when you left the house that night. Then when I thought you wanted Draco, I was in sheer hell"
"I never wanted Draco" she assured him. "How could I when the man I had was so good to me?" she asked.
"Not good enough Hermione. You deserve the best," he said softly kissing her forehead. "I have the best Harry. You"
"I've been dying to tell you for a while that I love you, but I was afraid to"
"You, Harry? Afraid? You're never afraid" she said surprised.
"I was afraid of losing you, Mione you always said that you never wanted to be loved again. When I realized that I'd fallen in love with you, I was worried sick."
She smiled lovingly at him "If you were in hell when you thought I wanted Draco, then I was in hell today. When I saw you in that coffee shop with Cho, it took all my will- power not to charge in there."
"Harry I wanted to curse her badly" she told him seriously. "I can understand that" he chuckled "You thought I was seeing her behind your back. But I have to say the thought of anyone else has never crossed my mind."
"I adore you, Hermione and I do so admire you. And to think this all started as a favor to a friend. Which I would do again in a heartbeat." He pulled her closer into his arms and sighed.
"I feel so grateful that you chose me to trust with your secret, and to marry. I am one lucky man," he said.
She shook her head at him, her eyes shining. "I'm the lucky one. I never thought I would say this. But I'm saying it now. I'm glad Draco came back. It made me step back and take a good look at the man I married."
"Having Draco back made me see why I chose you as my husband. I think I've always loved you, Harry. I just didn't realize it before." She added.
"I finally figured it out the night when you kissed me for the first time. I realized it then because it was safe to do so. You made me feel safe, Harry. That might not seem such a big deal, but it is to me"
And there it was, that look he'd always wanted her to give him. The look of true love. Harry's heart turned over.
"I'm so sorry I was jealous," she said as she lowered her head to his chest, her arms tightening around him at the same time.
"I'm not," he returned warmly. "Because if you hadn't been, you wouldn't be here and we'd still be pretending not to love each other. Which wouldn't be a good thing"
"Make love to me Harry" she begged looking at him. "It would be an honor" he said picking her up and headed to the bedroom.
Hermione was lying in Harry's arms afterwards, savoring the moment and thinking that happiness like this only came once in a lifetime.
"Harry" she said softly.
"Mmm?" he replied rubbing her side.
"I have to make a phone call," she said. "What, now at this hour? He groaned in protest.
"Yes" she laughed sitting up. "Who to?" he sat up with her.
"Ron"
"Ron!" he cried. Hermione smiled "I just have to tell him something. I promised him"
Placing his glasses on he turned to her "Promised him what?" "You can listen in," she said.
"All right" he grumbled and reached for his phone, flipping it open he dialed the number. "It's ringing his number" he said by the time he handed it over.
"Ron Weasley" Ron finally answered in a gruff voice. "This had better be important. It's bloody late and I was sleeping"
"It's important" Hermione told him. "You were right I was wrong. Harry doesn't love Cho. He loves me, almost as much as I love him. Now you can go back to sleep"
"And you can go back to whatever you were doing" Ron said in a low chuckle.
"Oh, yes" she said, her eyes sparkling up at Harry "I fully intend to"
"Whoa, whoa too much information Hermione" he said and hung up.
There you have it guys. They have finally told each other how they feel. It might not be exactlythe wayyou all were hoping for but I think they did it quite nicely. Don't you?
There will one final chapter up after this and then my work here is done. I have already begun another story and hope to see you there.
You guys have been awesome through this and I couldn't ask for better readers. Much love to all of you,
Jmacsgurl15, dragoneyes5000, Lyndseyhattaway, swimchick1614, madam-s-butterfly, phreakyacidride, Dianathehuntress, Lymaris, and funkmasterjo, Lunastella13, writrfreak15.