Harry had gotten to bed at about 4 AM, so it was a while before he woke up; it was about 10 AM when Ron finally came in to wake him up. "Late night last night mate?" Ron asked in his usual voice.
"Yeah" Harry replied slightly surprised to see his friend, "I had a lot to take in."
"Bill told me that you're going away for the summer and that all of us, even Hermione and her parents, need to go into hiding," Ron said to Harry with an air of disbelief.
"I kind of figured that after Bill told me about my leaving" Harry answered.
"Why do we need to go into hiding?" Ron asked with a bit of disgust.
"I don't think I can tell you," Harry answered knowing full well that it was because Death Eaters were hunting for Harry and would think to look for him first at where his friends lived. "But you and the others are free to use my house for your shelter" Harry said.
"Thanks mate" Ron said before slapping Harry on the back. "I've got to get to the shop," Ron was now working with Fred and George at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and was sleeping there as well, "I just wanted to stop by and say hi. You'd better get downstairs, mum is getting impatient waiting for you to have some breakfast and Hermione wants to talk to you about something as well."
Harry tensed slightly at the mention of Hermione, last night was still fresh in his memory and he was hoping that she didn't want to talk to him because she had decided that the night before was just a result of anxiety and the late hour and that she hoped they could still be just friends.
Harry put on his glasses and made his way downstairs, he found Mrs. Weasley making pancakes and delighted to see him up. "Did you have a good sleep?" she asked in a cheery voice.
"Yeah," Harry answered "thanks again for letting me stay here."
"Think nothing of it" Mrs. Weasley answered, "I just hope that we can make these next two days enjoyable for you." Harry noticed that when she said these last words she started to stifle back cries, pretty much everyone who knew him felt like Hermione when it came to Harry and it not being fair for so much to be thrust upon him.
"Where's everyone else?" Harry asked as he began to eat his pancakes and found no one else there.
"Well, Arthur and the twins are of course at work" Mrs. Weasley began gesturing toward the clock on the wall showing the location of all the Weasleys, "and everyone else who is staying here is outside preparing for the ceremony tomorrow." Bill and Fleur had decided to have the wedding outdoors on the Burrow grounds, so they along with Sean, Ginny, and Hermione were now outside preparing a spot on the grounds to accommodate the guests who would be arriving tomorrow.
Harry finished his pancakes, and then excused himself, he bathed, dressed and then went outside to help the others. He found the girls were placing chairs in front of a make shift pedestal, obviously the spot where Bill and Fleur would take their vows and be pronounced man and wife. He looked and saw Bill and Sean setting up chairs, the two of them were dressed for grunt work, with short pants and white tank tops. He couldn't help but notice Ginny and the other girls stealing glances at Sean, who apparently always wore his crucifix, and then whispered among themselves giggling. Harry looked at Bill and Sean together and couldn't help thinking that between Sean's crucifix and Bill's earring and ponytail and both their physiques they looked like a pair of stylish young-adult Muggles.
"Need some help?" Harry asked Bill and Sean, not really in the mood for arranging plants and flowers.
"Sure," Bill said pointing to a pile of folded chairs a short distance away. Harry set to work and began bringing over and setting up chairs with Bill and Sean, knowing that this was the last full day of care-free pleasure before the great unknown journey that lay ahead.
After a little while, all was ready and the group decided to take a rest, Mrs. Weasley, who had been inside putting the finishing touches on Fleur's dress, brought out some lemonade for the workers to enjoy under the shade of a nearby tree. Fleur settled next to Bill while Ginny moved in close to Sean, Harry and Hermione sat next to each other at the end of the group, and no one could see them holding hands after they settled.
"It's too bad that these days have to so few and far between," Bill sighed, "sitting under the cool shade after a hard day's work, home-made lemonade, surrounded by friends and loved ones." He paused before finishing his thought with "you wish that they could last forever."
"Aye," Sean stated "but it helps you appreciate them all the more, you cannot know the sweet without experiencing the bitter…cheers me bucko" he said holding up his glass to Bill who responded in turn.
Harry turned to Hermione, who blushed a little with the memory of what had happened the last time their eyes had met. "Hermione," he said, "this morning Ron told me that there was something you wanted to talk to me about."
Hermione answered, "I just thought that we should get started as soon as possible on the charms Sean requested you learn."
"I can start now," Harry responded.
"Give yourself a few minutes," Sean retorted, "having people in your life who genuinely care for you is a great blessing…cherish the time you have with them."
They all stayed and drank for about ten more minutes and then separated, Sean went to feed and clean the horses, with Ginny insistent on helping, Bill and Fleur went inside to see if they could help Mrs. Weasley, while Harry and Hermione went off a short distance to practice the charms. "Now then," Hermione said, "are you ready to begin?"
"Yeah," Harry replied, "let's do this." Hermione first taught Harry the "occulus repairo" charm to fix his glasses, then using an enchanted skeleton bone that Madam Pomfrey had given her upon learning of her desire to become a healer, she taught Harry the charms for mending broken bones.
After a few hours, Harry was satisfied that he had all the charms right and would be able to perform them if and when needed. "One thing," Hermione said, "you need to remember that when you perform the mendo charms for bruises and broken bones you will hurt for a few minutes and need to wait about an hour before using the injured part again."
"Hermione," Harry said after he had processed this latest information, "there is something I need to ask you."
"Yes Harry," Hermione responded inquisitively and with a hint of concern. "Last night," Harry began, "by the fire, was that for real or just because of what is coming up?"
Hermione thought the bashful look on Harry's face at bringing up what they had shared the night before was simply adorable. "Let me put it this way Harry," Hermione said, and with that she walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his lips down to hers in a tender and passionate kiss. When they came apart, Harry smiled at Hermione causing her to bite her lower lip and blush.
"Look at that over there," Hermione said pointing to the horizon and the beautiful sunset that highlighted it. "Wow" Harry said upon seeing it, he and Hermione were now standing side by side with Harry holding Hermione close to him. "This will be my last day here with just you," Harry said, "would you like to sit with me and watch the sunset?" "I can't think of anything that I would rather do" Hermione replied with sincerity.
The two of them settled onto the ground with Hermione resting her head on Harry's shoulder and Harry bringing his hand to hold Hermione's. They just sat and watched the sunset, content to let their actions speak for themselves.
"When did this happen?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Hmm?" Hermione questioned as she ran her fingers through his long black hair.
"When did we fall in love?" Harry clarified as he did the same to Hermione's long beautiful hair.
"I told you that it started for me that time at Fourth year when I realized how much you mean to me" Hermione said. "The real question is when did you fall in love with me?"
Harry had been thinking about this but had not been able to come to a distinct conclusion. "I'm still trying to figure that out," Harry replied honestly, "but I think that the important thing is that I have accepted it now and that we can have at least today to be together and enjoy it."
Hermione sighed her approval and leaned up against Harry's chest, she turned her head to look into Harry's eyes and then spoke to him. "Harry."
"Yeah?"
"Do you believe in destiny?" Harry had always thought of his destiny as being the inevitable confrontation with Voldemort and other bleak things…he had never thought of true love…his true love…being a part of that.
Harry was still lost in his thoughts when he and Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley call them in for supper. "Let's go" Harry said gently to his one true love, and they got up and walked back to the Burrow, hand in hand.