Chapter Nine- Finally Together

Harry sat at his desk, his head still throbbing slightly. He looked at the Daily Prophet and saw that the Knockturn Alley incident hadn't been mentioned. Still, he feared that Remarque might kidnap Hermione, or worse…

He felt very guilty toward Hermione, since he was keeping Ron's infidelity a secret. Maybe if he told her, Hermione would decide to break up with Ron and finally they would be together.

Harry closed his eyes, feeling exhausted and looked at his calendar. His heart sank as he saw that Ron and Hermione's wedding was next week. Time was passing by, and in a few days Hermione would be completely out of reach. He wouldn't bear losing her, but at same time he knew it was impossible to do something about it.

Luna entered his office without advice and sat on the chair that was in front of Harry. Harry stared at her curiously and Luna snorted.

"I'm hiding from Neville," Luna said. "He wants to talk with me, and I don't know how to handle the pressure."

"Pressure? Luna, the guy's crazy about you," Harry said. "If I was in your shoes I would run to Neville's arms."

"If you like Neville so much, marry him," Luna mocked.

"I mean that you have the chance to have a relationship with the man you love," Harry said. "At least, you are free to have him."

"It's just that… What if we break up and stop being friends?" Luna moaned.

"What if you don't?" Harry asked. "Maybe you'll end up having children. What I'm saying is that you have to take the risk, Luna."

"Yeah, maybe you're right, " Luna grinned. "Aw, come over here, Potter, and give me a hug!"

Harry stood up and walked over to Luna. Luna embraced him tightly and sighed. "Promise me that you won't ever pull a stunt like the one you did with Remarque," Luna said. "I was worried sick… who would sign my paychecks?"

Harry laughed and pulled Luna closer to him. They were both laughing their heads off until they hear a gasp.

Luna and Harry let go of each other and saw Neville and Hermione standing in the doorway. Hermione was staring at them with skepticism and Neville seemed furious.

"So this is why you rejected me?" Neville snapped. "You are having an affair with Harry?"

"Neville, I don't think that…" Hermione started, but Neville walked toward Harry and punched him right on the face.

"Damn it, Neville!" Harry yelled as his lip started bleeding profusely, and Luna shrieked.

"You idiot!" Luna barked at Neville.

"I thought you were my friend, Harry!" Neville bellowed. "You knew I liked her, and still…"

"Neville, you stupid git!" Luna said as she pushed Neville away. "I was hugging him because he had given me a great advice! He had said that I should be your girlfriend!"

Neville stared blankly at Harry, who had been cured by Hermione. "Oh my…" Neville gasped. "Harry, I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay," Harry chuckled. "At least you didn't break my nose."

Everyone laughed and Neville kissed Luna gently. "Get a room," Harry protested mockingly.

"We will," Luna said. "Can you take care of her while we're gone for a while?"

Harry glanced at Hermione. "I will," Harry said and Hermione laughed as Neville and Luna walked away.

She closed the door and turned to look at Harry. "Harry, you don't have to lie to me," Hermione said seriously. "What were you and Ron talking about yesterday at St. Mungo's?"

Harry looked away until he felt Hermione's hand in his shoulder. "I can handle it, Harry," Hermione said softly.

Harry couldn't hide it any longer. "Hermione, Ron is cheating on you."

Hermione stared at him, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. She closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks, and Harry embraced her.

"It hurts, you know," Hermione said. "But I already was suspicious."

Harry said nothing and Hermione sighed. "But now that you have confirmed it… I guess you knows what this means, Harry."

Harry looked at her, his heart beating very fast. "I'm calling off the wedding," Hermione said firmly.

"But I thought…" Harry feared that it was a dream; it was too good to be true.

"Harry, we feared that we would be betraying him," Hermione explained. "But he has betrayed me, and in a way, he has betrayed your friendship."

Harry nodded and kissed Hermione. Hermione answered the kiss passionately; Harry felt that his heart would burst with happiness. He and Hermione were finally going to be together, after more than ten years of knowing each other.

"I'll tell him tonight," Hermione said happily. "Everything will be okay now, Harry."

"I know," Harry grinned. "I was wondering… I have to go to my apartment and rest a bit. Would you…?"

"I'll be glad to go with you," Hermione grinned back.

Later, at Harry's department

"I wish I didn't have to leave," Hermione sighed, her head resting in Harry's chest. They were lying in Harry's couch, just enjoying the fact that they could be like this without fear.

"Don't," Harry said. "Spend the night with me."

Hermione moved closer to Harry's face and shook her head. "I can't," she said sadly. "I have to go and talk with Ron."

"I know," Harry grunted and Hermione kissed him. She stood up and Harry took her hand and kissed it.

"Go directly to Ron's department," Harry said. "And after you're done, go directly to your apartment and owl Kat; I want someone outside your door."

"I love when you're being paranoid," Hermione chuckled. Harry stood up and kissed her again. Hermione drew away, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

"See you tomorrow, Harry Potter," she said and disapparated.