CHAPTER 2 - DREAMS,SCHEMES, AND DESTINIES

Harry slowly opened his eyes. He was tempted to scream for a moment when he saw a big brown bush in front of him. He then felt something in his arms. He then realized that it was Hermione. He smiled and went back to sleep. A little while later, Harry woke up to the sound of movement in his bedroom. He opened his eyes and looked toward the bathroom. The light inside was on and there was His first reaction of course was to grab his wand, which was on his bedside table right next to his glasses. He slowly grabbed his glasses and put them on so as not to make any noise. Harry was always a little paranoid because he was around Moody so much who was always screaming at them "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Reaching for his wand, he stopped. Voldemore was gone. He was really gone, dead, finished. Harry smiled and moved his legs out of bed. As he stood up, he realized that he was only wearing boxers...with little rubber duckies on them!

He walked toward the bathroom and leaned against the door frame. There in front of him inside was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in all his life. She had brown, bushy hair that she hardly ever tried to keep straight. She had big pretty hazel eyes and to be honest a great body. He smiled before saying, "Morning." "AH! Harry don't do that! You know how much I hate it." Harry just smirked at her, winked and laughed. "Haha that's why I do it." The smirk on his face quickly left when she playfully slapped him. "Ow." Harry put on his best hurt feelings face. It didn't work.
She smiled at him as he just turned around. Harry walked to his dresser and took out a pair of faded jeans and a red Chudley Cannons Quidditch shirt, which when muggles looked at it saw the England Soccer Team instead. He put on the jeans and walked back into the bathroom. "Hermione come on...it can't take you that long to look good...or maybe it could." Before Harry even had a chance to crack a smile, Hermione whipped around and glared at him. "Gosh, I was only kidding"
She just shook her head. "Sure, sure." Harry rolled his eyes at her comment and went about his business. He picked up his toothbrush and his toothpaste, brushed his teeth then left. He put on his shirt and walked out yelling behind him, "I'll go make breakfast then."

As soon as the door to their bedroom was shut, Hermione peered her head out of the bathroom. A relaxed expression came over her. "Finally he's gone." She procceded to go over to her dresser and opened it. Inside was a small box wrapped in red and gold paper. "He probably doesn't even remember that it's his birthday. That Harry can be as thick at Gringotts vaults sometimes." She laughed to her self and took the box back into the bathroom with her.

Meanwhile down in the kitchen...

Harry got out the things he needed to make a good breakfast. Harry knew, no he hoped that Hermion would not attempt to do it again. As he was used to making food all the time at the Dursley's, he had become quite the cook. As he was mixing the batter to make pancakes, Hermione's favorite, there was a soft 'pop' in the living room. Guessing that it was who he thought it was he didn't bother to do anything about it. Seconds later the kitchen door opened and in walked his best friend of 7 or 8 years, Ronald Weasley. "Hello mate. How are you and 'Mione?" Harry just smiled and continued with breakfast. Around fivee to ten minutes after Ron had arrived, Hermione came bouding down the stairs. "Hey Ron! I'm glad your here because I needed to talk to you."

She and Ron went back into the living room. Once in, Hermione turned around, whipped out her wand and shut the door and put a strong silencing charm on it. "Ok. What time should I have him at the Burrow tonight? Ron thought it through for a brief moment. "Mum said that everyone has to be there quarter after six. She said if they weren't she was going to pop a blood vessel. So have him there no later than half past six." Hermione chuckled at the thought of Molly Weasley 'popping' a blood vessel. She shook it off to respond to Ron whom was staring at her quizzingly. "Ok good. I don't think that he suspects a thing. I swear for the most powerful wizard on Earth next to Dumbledore he sure is kind of thick sometimes. Anyway, is Ginny bringing Draco?" Hermione laughed at Ron's face. He scowled at the sound of Draco. " Yes. I still am not really used to the fact that my only sister is dating my ex-enemy for life Draco Malfoy. It just seems wierd." Hermion had to nod in agreement. Even though she was fine with it. She wasn't fine with it at first, but time tends to change people. Harry was living proof of that one. "Ok, well I best be off before Mum has a fit about where I have gone off to. You know how she can be sometimes. Mental that one. So just make sure to keep him occupied till half past six ok? Well tell Harry bye." There was another soft 'pop' and he was gone.

Only moments after Ron had apperated back to the Burrow, Harry came in from the kitchen to say breakfast was ready. Him and Hermione went and sat down to eat. While they ate they talked about various things and then Harry brought up one of the things Hermione had been hoping he wouldn't, but knowing he would...his birthday. "So 'Mione. What did you get me for my birthday hmm?" Hermione shook a finger at Harry. "Don't even think for one second mister that I am gonna tell you. It's a suprise." Harry frowed and pondered as to what his present was to bed when a foot slid up his pants. His head popped up at the feel. He looked straight at Hermione. "'Mione, what...are...you...doing?" Hermione smirked,"Oh, I'm trying to keep your mind off that present, that's what.

Back at the Burrow...

"Ginerva Katherine Weasley! You get your arse down here!" The stairs shook and seconds later Ginny Weasley came down the stairs. "Yes mum?" "You need to clean the house or at least part of it before young Mr. Malfoy comes over. By the way, no snogging with the door closed." Mrs. Weasley stated seeing the twinkle in her daughters eye at the mention of Draco. Ginny began to clean up and around three o' clock the door bell rang out. "I'VE GOT IT!" Ron exclaimed but was countered by his sister. "No, Ron I will get it!" Ron and Ginny raced down the stairs to answer the door. But before either could get there, their mother had already done it herself. "Why hello Draco. Please come in." Oblivious to Draco standing there, Ron and Ginny continued to fight until Ginny fell into Draco. "I'm supposed to fight for your honor not the other way around hun." He helped her to her feet and smiled at her. "DRACO!" Ginny hugged him fiercely. Ron had given up after this and let them be. People weren't supposed to arrive for the party until six, so Ginny and Draco spent that time talking about their summers, snogging in her bedroom, looking at some of Ginnys pictures and snogging some more.

Finally, six o'clock came rolling around. Guests started arriving and by 6:20 all those who were invited to the party were there. When 6:30 came around and the lights went out they all sat around and waited. They fortunatly didn't have to wait long. Soon two slight 'pops' could be heard. "Hey, Hermione, what's going on and why are the lights out?" The lights came to life and everyone there yelled, "SUPRISE!" People came rushing up to Harry wishing him a happy birthday. Mrs. Weasley, with the help of Ginny, had make Harrys cake. There were presents everywhere and the guests were all cramed into one room. Harry looked around and saw all the people he cared about. There was Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Draco, the twins - Fred and George, Bill - one of Rons older brothers and his wife Fleur, Charlie - another brother, Professor Dumbledore, Tonks, Moody, Professor McGonagall, his God-Father Sirius Black, Professor Remus Lupin, his parents, Neville, Luna, Seamus and another person he had never seen before.

The night went smoothly enought and before he knew it people were leaving. As people left they one last time wished Harry a 'Happy Birthday'. That night Harry had aquired many things. He got a new Chudley Cannons shirt from Ron, a broom kit from Remus and Tonks, books on various things from Neville, Luna, McGonagall, Dumbledore and Seamus. As usual he got a knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley and Fred and George gave them things from their joke shop. At midnight Ron, Lily, James,
Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, Ginny, Hermione and himself were left. The rest had all gone. Soon Ron and Ginny bid them all good night and left as did Lily, James, and Sirius. While Lupin and Dumbledore were in a corner silently talking, Harry turned to Hermione. "Wher is my present from you hmm? Hermione just looked at him and gestured at the door. Harry quickly got the point. "Remus, Professor, thank you but I am going to retire now. Goodnight."

Him and Hermione walked out side and appereated but didn't miss the 'Their just like Lily and James Albus' from Remus. They arrived in their bedroom. Harry was quickly pushed up against the wall by Hermione. Their lips instantly met. Hands 'explored', and finally they parted but reluctantly only for a bit of air. "Geeze, 'Mione what got into you?" She meerly smiled and motioned toward the bed.
He sat down while Hermione retrieved a box from the dresser. "Happy Birthday Harry." She gave him another kiss before he opened it. When he did he revieled a golden necklace with a locket at the end. Harry opened it to show two pictures. One of herself and than one of them both. He turned it over to see and inscription of 'I love you' on the back. He smiled and looked up. "Thank you hun." He gave her another kiss as they layed down on the bed. Harrys shirt soon landed on the floor, followed by Hermiones. After about five minutes, the last barrier gave way for a feeling neither could imagine.

The following morning - August 1st...

Hermione woke up in the arms of the safest person she knew, Harry James Potter...or so she thought. Harry was not next to her but downstairs. She looked around the room and not seeing him began to wonder where he could be as there weren't many mornings she woke up and she wasn't in his arms. She shrugged it off knowing it was nothing. She got up sliding the covers off of herself and went over to the dresser to get clothes. She got dressed and went to the bathroom to take care of things.

Meanwhile downstairs...

"Ok. So I should just do it and not make it all fancy or anything like that?" Ron and Ginny who sat across from him just nodded. "Harry, this is your dream ok? And more, it's your destiny. This is suppose to happen na dif it isn't then damn everyone ok?" Harry just smiled. After a few moments of silence, the silence was broken by the creaking of the stairs. All three looked up to Hermione who was coming down. Harry smiled then turned to Ginny and Ron and mouthed 'Today'. They both beamed. Hermione puzzled, looked at Harry and knew something was up. "Morning, hun, Ron, Gin." She was greeted back. Then Hermione remember something and beamed. "We get our school stuff today!" Ron shuddered at that thought and they all laughed. It was their last year at Hogwarts, and this year death wasn't knocking at the door. Molly had come from no where and told them that breakfast was ready. She had flooed there along with Ginny and Ron earlier that morning. They all ate breakfast except for Molly who had left. Right as they were finishing up, a peck was heard at the window. As Harry looked up, he saw his familar white snowy owl at the window, letters tied to her leg.

Hermione got up and opened the window. Hedwig hopped on her shoulder. She untied the letters handing one to Harry. "Looks like they knew you two were here too." She inturn handed Ginny and Ron one while keeping an eye on hers. All that the letters ended up sayin was that soon letters telling them classes would arrive. Ginny's however contained her O.W.L results along. "So how did you do Gin?" She responded, "I got 9/10 O.W.L!" She beamed at them all. After discussing classes, all four left for the Burrow. Molly Weasley knew that O.W.Ls would be coming and so was ready. Ginny was congratulated on her results. Molly told Ginny she did so much better than Ron did when he had taken his O.W.Ls. The group then spent the afternoon together. Shortly after lunch is when things began to happen. McGonagall, Dumbledore, Lupin, Tonks, Luna, Draco, Sirius, Lily and James, Neville and that girl who was at Harry's party arrived. They had all been written as to that something was to happen. Even Hermione's parents had shown up which proved interesting since, both Harry and Hermione's parents had never met each other. Harry looked around. "Mom, Dad, Sirius, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, may I see you all in the kitchen for a moment?" They all nodded and followed Harry bewildered as to what was going to happen. They all got into the kitchen and Harry shut the door. He cast a wandless 'silencio' and locking charm on it. "Ok, I asked you all in here for a certain reason. Mom, Dad, Sirius, these are Hermiones parents Jane and Roger. Jane, Roger these are my parents Lily and James. This is my God-Father Sirius." He gestured toward them all. "Now to the task at hand."

About 20 minutes later...

The door to the kitchen opened revieling a very happy Jane and Roger Granger along with a very happy Lily and James Granger/ Sirius Black. "Hem, hem. I have an announcement to make that I all wish you to witness." He turned and walked to Hermione. She was completly confused. Harry pulled her to the center of the room. He stared straight into her hazel eyes. "Hermione, words can't describe how I fell about you. I think only heaven knows how I do. You know that I would put my own life on the line and that I have cherished and protected you with my life, which I have on many occasions." The group chuckled at this before Harry continued. "I love you so much, without you I probably wouldn't be alive at this moment. No, I know I wouldn't. Hermione, I talked to them about something in there and they all agreed it was the right move. Now I just hope you will." He turned, smiled at his parents, hers and Sirius. Looking back at Hermione, he got to one knee. Looking up he saw tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Hermione Jane Granger...will you take me Harry James Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, a Hogwarts 7th year Gryffindor, your boyfriend, and one of your best friends to be your husband. He kneeled hter for a moment wondering if the silence that he had imposed on her was a good thing. It was. She lept into his arms crying and screaming 'YES!'. Everyone cheered as Harry placed a ring of red stone, yellow background and blue writing on her finger. This was the best moment of his life and he wanted to hold on to it as long as he could.