Chapter 3: Revelations
All Morning Hermione felt scandalized, and she didn't like that feeling one little bit. What Cho had said somehow made her feel guilty for messing where she had no business. How could she break up Harry's relationship like that? She wasn't enjoying where these thoughts were taking her, and she realized that she was not being very logical about the situation. As much as she would like to be involved with Harry, she knew she could never interfere with his choices. It nearly broke her heart but she had soon talked herself into totally alienating herself from Harry. She probably would have succeeded if her heart hadn't taken matters into its own hands.
Hermione ate a lonely lunch, because Harry was still cloistered up in Dumbledore's office, and Ron had finally convinced Hannah that he wasn't trying to "ruin" her reputation. They were probably off snogging each other, Hermione thought forlornly. Wouldn't any boy ever think she was attractive? The way her life had been going lately, she seriously doubted it. The clock in the entrance hall struck 12:30, and she suddenly felt very uneasy, and before she could stop herself Hermione found her path turning up toward the North Tower. Hermione thought she had totally lost her mind when she opened the double doors that opened out onto a small terrace overlooking the lake. "What am I doing here?" She whispered quietly to herself.
"Well, I could be mistaken, but I thought we had a little heart-to-heart scheduled," Harry was standing by a large potted fern looking very pleased about something. His eyes were particularly bright, and he seemed to be in high spirits. "Besides, it was you who asked me up here, so naturally I would assume you would know better than me what the purpose is."
"What are you talking about? I mean...it wasn't me who set this up...it was you...wasn't it? Hermione was confused, and she wondered if Harry had totally forgotten that it was he who asked her for this little covert encounter. She suddenly felt like a fool, and decided to just blurt out what had been bothering her all day.
"Harry, I'm not really sure...well...you see sometimes when...wait that is wrong...I...I," Harry was leisurely walking toward her now, and again her heart began hammering inside her chest. He looked so attractive, and for some reason he seemed different. She couldn't speak, but somehow that didn't seem to matter.
Harry was now standing very close to her and he whispered some sort of incantation that she didn't quite catch. All of a sudden, heat began boiling up from inside her, and she was able to feel his magical energy radiating off of him in waves. It was intoxicating to feel that kind of power, and she closed her eyes for a few moments to try and figure out what was going on. She held her breath, and soon felt him gently touch her cheek.
"Hermione, will you look at me... please?" He said pleadingly. "The sensation will be enhanced if we look into each others eyes."
She looked up into his green eyes, and it was like an electric current passing between them...keeping them connected somehow. It was incredible and she prayed that the feeling would last. She could feel his every emotion, his happiness, his sadness, and she blushed when she also felt his desire. Then as if in slow motion his entire body closed in around her and she tilted her face up to his, more than willing to finally feel his lips upon hers. The kiss began very lightly but soon grew with each thrilling moment. The spell that Harry had created was joining them in a way she had never thought possible, and Hermione could only gasp with delight when his arms encircled her slender frame, pushing her up against the wall. Their embrace was more passionate then anything she had ever experienced and the intensity of their Love shocked them both.
They had no idea how much time had passed, but slowly the heat ebbed away, and they both were left feeling nothing but contentment. Harry was breathing rapidly and he didn't let her go even though the spell seemed to have dissipated. Harry Loved her! Her mind rejoiced because she had felt his love and she also knew that he had felt her love. Where ever did he learn that spell? It had to be a very tricky one to master so he had to have been studying it. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she had to find out what exactly that spell was.
"Harry, I would really like to know what spell you have just used on us...I mean it's not exactly one that Hogwarts would normally teach their students." She hesitated but continued when he showed no signs of stop her. "Dumbledore has been teaching you how to harness your power hasn't he?"
Harry nodded, "I should have known you would want to know how I did that," he chuckled. "Remember when I told you about the prophecy and that I had a power of love inside of me that is supposed to be able to defeat Voldemort? Well, Dumbledore has been teaching me a...uh...certain type of magic that releases that love." Harry's eyes began to sparkle mischievously, but he continued. "There is a set of spells that I am to use only with the woman that I love. The first spell I have just used is one called Amoretasia. It is used to reveal my one true love and only works like it did if two people truly love one another. It is ancient magic that Dumbledore says Voldemort won't even consider. As I use these spells, my power will grow..." He hesitated and she noticed there was a little quiver in his voice now,"...and so will yours if you accept me. Do you understand?" Harry gazed down at her and she realized he was asking her if she would stand by him in his fight with Voldemort.
Hermione's eyes glistened with unshed tears, as her heart ached heavily at the prospect of what he had to face and she realized she could never let him face it alone. No matter what she would stand by him and help him in any way she could.
Hermione nodded her understanding and smiled up into his uncertain face. "Harry, I wouldn't have it any other way. You have always had me." Harry held her close and she snuggled further into his arms because a smart chill had begun to settle in. She felt him relax with her last words and felt so happy that he trusted her with his love. Suddenly she frowned and whispered something so low Harry almost didn't catch it. "Harry, whatever will we do about Cho?"
Harry smiled and actually looked a little confused over this statement. "Well that is the craziest thing Hermione. Today, I had a talk with her during lunch and well, I was actually going to break it off with her but for some reason she seemed to think I had already did it thru some sort of note or something. It really is quite odd. She was very mad as all get out too let me tell you. What do you suppose all of that was about?
Hermione shrugged, and bit her lip. You know Harry; I don't want to be responsible for breaking you two up. I know you cared for her a lot and I just hate being the other woman!"
Harry laughed and he wrapped his arms around her even tighter. "Hermione my love this was bound to happen sooner or later and to be honest I am glad it has happened sooner. You do not have to worry about Cho Chang. It is you I love and I think I always have. Cho has never meant as much to me as you...I love you Hermione."
Hermione's eyes began to fill up with tears as she realized that Harry had just told her he loved her for the very first time and she could think of only one response. "Harry, I love you too. Do you think we could try out some of those other 'love' spells? I think it is important for you to get as much practice as possible."
Harry laughed and lightly kissed her lips igniting the flames of their passion, and soon they were once again sharing and loving each other in ways that they were always intended to do.
Much Later...
The great love affair of Harry and Hermione soon spread like wild fire and Lavender and Parvati congratulated each other on their Genius.
Sometimes young lovers just need a little push to get their motors running. The two matchmakers, spurred on by their success were soon setting their sites on another unsuspecting couple.
After all, Hannah Abbot wasn't the sort of girl that Ronald Weasley could "really" love now was she? Ron needed a girl who would love him for who he was, and Luna Lovegood was just the girl for the job. At least according to Lavender and Parvati anyway, so the pink and red colored letters were soon filling the skies once again, and Ron and Luna were none the wiser.
