The pair appeared near the fountain in front of Dumbledore's house. Hermione's eyes widened in awe as she looked around at the gorgeous landscape.

"Harry…where…where are we? This is so beautiful!"

"Hermione…this is Professor Dumbledore's house."

"Are you serious?" she gawked.

"Yes, this is where I came after I was expelled from Hogwarts last year; my training took place here. Come on, your parents are inside."

Harry knocked on the front door, and Mathis opened it not more than five seconds later.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, back so soon? Oh, and who might this lovely, young lady be?" Hermione blushed slightly.

"Hello Mathis, this is Hermione Granger – my fiancé. I had brought her parents here earlier, and I was wondering how they are doing."

"Of course. The lady had several large gashes from glass and a slight concussion; her husband had a few cracked ribs but that is all. They are both doing fine; they're resting down the hall."

"May I see them?" Hermione asked as her hands trembled.

"Certainly, Miss Granger, please follow me."

Mathis led the couple inside and down a side hallway. The older man stopped at the fifth door down, and he stretched his hand towards the door.

"They are resting in here. Please let me know if there is anything you need."

"Actually sir…um…I don't mean to impose…but…" Hermione's stomach growled, and Harry grinned slightly as did Mathis.

"Do not worry, I will have dinner brought here for you so take your time."

"Thank you, sir, for helping my parents."

"You are quite welcome. If you will excuse me then."

Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed her gently.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's go see your parents."

As Hermione opened the door, she could hear her parents' voice, and her heart leapt into her throat. They were really alive!

"John, would you stop fussing over me? I'm fine!" Melinda's voice rang out.

She was lying on a king size bed, resting comfortably, but her husband was sitting next to her with an anxious look on his face.

"Melinda, I'm not fussing; I just want to make sure you're all right."

"I am, now, you should get some rest yourself; you're in pretty rough shape too."

"No, I'm not…" John Granger countered, but he held his arm against his injured ribs.

"All right, sweetie, I'll promise to rest if you will," his wife offered.

"Fine with me."

The two adults heard their door shut and turned their heads.

"Hermione!" they both said happily.

"Mom…Dad!" Tears were streaming down their daughter's cheeks as she ran in their arms.

Harry remained by the door, letting the family have time to bask in the happiness of their reunion. A pang of sadness filled his heart as he remembered his own parents having been killed in a similar act by Voldemort. He would never allow Hermione to feel that type of pain – never!

"Mom…Dad…are you two all right? Are you in pain?"

Her mother caressed her hair and smiled warmly at her daughter.

"Sweetie, we're both fine."

"Your mother is right, Hermione, we'll be okay."

"I'm so sorry, mom, I never meant for this to happen."

"I know, honey; we're not angry with you."

"This is not your fault, Hermione," her father said firmly. She hugged her parents tightly, and they reciprocated.

"I can't believe I almost lost you two."

"We may not have survived if Harry hadn't shown up to help us," John stated.

"Harry!" Hermione gasped and realized that she hadn't even thanked him yet. Turning her head, she saw her fiancé standing by the door with a warm smile on his face.

"Harry…I…I…"

The young wizard saw the gratefulness on his lover's face, and he merely nodded his head.

"I'll be outside if you need me…" and he quietly slipped out the door.

Part of Hermione was wondering why he left, but she understood that he knew that she wanted some time alone with her parents.

"Mom, please tell me what happened."

Her daughter listening anxiously, Melinda Granger began to explain the events around the attack.

Harry walked out into the backyard and took off his robes. He was really keyed up, and he needed to work off some of his frustration. He'd nearly lost the place that had been his first, true home, and the people who would someday become his parents. His teeth grinded together as he finally allowed the anger that had been boiling inside him to explode to the surface.

Tossing asides his robes, Harry drew out his wand and readied himself. The first spell was cast, and he was underway.

Mathis had brought dinner for her and her parents, and Hermione was enjoying the meal thoroughly. Suddenly, an explosion echoed from the backyard.

"What in the world was that?" Melinda gasped.

Hermione raced to the window, wondering if there was another attack happening. Her eyes widened, as she watched none other than Harry levitating rocks into the air and destroying them left and right. His pace was almost inhuman, and Hermione felt her heart contract as she realized that this incident had hurt Harry as much as it hurt her.

"Hermione, what's going on?" her father asked.

"It's Harry; he's out in the backyard practicing magic."

"Sounds like he's pretty upset," Melinda sighed.

"I never stopped to think about how this had effected him; I was just so glad to see you two. He feels that he finally has a home, and he nearly lost it again. I think he feels guilty because you two got involved in something because you're close to him."

"But Hermione, it's not his fault," her mother replied.

"A part of him knows that, mom, but he still feels guilty. He used to use the same excuse about why we should never have gotten too close. Harry was planning on being alone for the rest of his life because of his curse as the 'Boy Who Lived', but he found he couldn't be a hermit forever. He was so incredibly happy at our house this summer, but now, I'm afraid that his guilt may consume him."

"Go to him, Hermione, he needs you more than us right now."

"Your mother is right; go to him!"

Hermione looked at her parents then back out the window at the young man trying to fight of his demons once again. Hugging her parents one more time, Hermione headed out of the room.

Harry destroyed his twentieth rock and bent over to catch his breath. He saw the sun beginning the slip below the horizon; he didn't realize that he'd been out here that long. His heart was aching with guilt over what had happened to Hermione's parents. If he'd been one more minute in getting to their house, they…they would be…

"Dammit!" he growled and picked up his robes. He tucked his wand away and headed back towards the house.

It was then that he saw Hermione standing in the doorway. It appeared that she'd been there quite a while and had been watching him work off his frustration. He turned his head away ashamed at seeming so unnerved in front of her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered so softly that Hermione just barely heard him.

"For what?" she asked and walked up to him.

"I'm sorry that you had to see me like this; I don't usually lose my temper like that."

"I know that, Harry, but it's okay. You're not perfect, and I don't expect you to be."

"But Hermione…if I'd been even one more minute in getting to your house…your parents would be…"

"Hush, my love," she quieted him.

"Harry, please don't feel guilty about this; it's not your fault. If anything, this is my fault because Cassandra came after me!"

"True, but she knows that the best way to get to me is through you. I'm sorry, it's just… sometimes I wish that…that I could give you something more than a guy who attracts every dark wizard within earshot. I just hope that you can forgive me for getting your parents involved."

Hermione's hand suddenly connected with his left cheek. It wasn't hard, but it still stung.

"Would you shut up? Don't you even think about going all dark and moody on me. We went through this last year, and I thought that you were over this by now. I don't care what happens, Harry, I want us to be together."

"But Herm, your parents…they…"

"…are fine, love, and you are the one who protected them. There's nothing more that I could ask from you."

"Thank you, sweetheart, but I still feel lousy about all of this."

Hermione glared at him slightly and grabbed his arm.

"Come on!"

Harry readily followed her as she dragged him back inside the house.

"Hey, we're not going back to see your parents?" he asked as he noticed that they were heading the opposite direction.

"No. Since it's after nightfall, Mathis thought it best if we stayed here for tonight; he's sending an owl to Dumbledore as we speak. Now, stop blubbering and come on."

Hermione led him down the hall and into one of the bedrooms. She pushed him inside and followed in behind. She quickly muttered a silencing charm over the room and locked the door.

Harry noticed the large bed situated against the far well, and he turned to see Hermione strutting toward him.

"Um…sweetheart, what's going on here?" he asked nervously. She grinned wryly at him.

"Since you don't believe that you deserve to be happy, Harry, I'm going to make love to you until you do!"

Hermione grabbed his robes and tossed them to the floor; her own followed a second later. She grabbed his tie and yanked his face down to hers.

"You're mine tonight, Potter, so you better be prepared!" she cooed.

"HARRY!" she shrieked as her body convulsed with force of her orgasm.

"HERMIONE!" he answered and exploded into her hungry depths.

They remained frozen in place for several minutes. Their bodies hunched over the bed; their hips remained connected.

"Hermione…you still alive…" a soft voice whispered hoarsely.

"Just barely," was the answer.

Harry pulled out of her warmth and backed away slightly. Hermione turned around and sat down in front of him. Her body was still thrumming at the thought of their lustful interchange a few minutes before. She was still half-dressed, and Harry assisted her as she disrobed completely. He stood up and pulled her to her feet.

"You're amazing, my angel, you almost killed me that time."

"Look who's talking, lover, and you say I'm naughty. You just decided to bend me over and have your way with me, hmm?" she giggled, and he blushed slightly.

Harry bent down and swept her into his arms.

"Then let me love you properly this time, sweetheart."

He carried her back to bed and laid her down on her back. Hermione smiled up at him and drew him down for a long, wet kiss. His hands resumed caressing her exquisite body, and Hermione felt his arousal poking at her entrance again.

"You're insatiable tonight, Harry."

"Damn right, I am – especially after your little stunt earlier."

"I don't mind, but don't be surprised if I can't walk tomorrow!" she laughed.

"Don't worry, love, I'll just carry you."

Hermione kissed him again, and they both sighed as their bodies joined together once again.

Their fire burned almost all night, and they finally collapsed into each other's arms totally exhausted. Harry wrapped his arms around his angel, and Hermione snuggled into his chest.

"I love you, Harry," she whispered softly and kissed his chest.

"And I love you, Hermione," he replied and kissed her hair.

"I promise you, sweetheart, this nightmare ends here and now."

"I know, my darling, I know."

Author's Notes: Well, it's been a while since I've done a good lemon chapter. I've had several people tell me that you are supposed to be able to disapparate around Hogwarts. I know that, but you must read the first part of the trilogy 'Endings and Beginnings' to understand that part. The ending is drawing near so make sure you stick around.  Also, if you want the full version (unedited) version of this story go to fanfiction.portkey.org.