Chapter Five: Coffee and the Beach

A/N: Wow, sorry this chapter took so long to write! I was stuck for a while, and then before I figured it out, school really started kicking in, but I'm really going to focus on this story because I think it's a hit! Haha I dont know but anyway, please read and review! TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!

Harry rubbed his eyes and slowly opened them. He squinted suddenly, realizing that it was sunny and bright outside. Ginny had probably opened the windows and was already up and awake, making breakfast. He reached for his glasses on the table besides him and placed them softly around his eyes and nose.

He got out of bed and walked into the kitchen where he saw Ginny flipping pancakes. She gave him a smile and turned to face him.

"Up so late?" She giggled. She ran over to him and pecked him on the cheek. Harry laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, I slept pretty late yesterday," He told her gently. He sat down and reached for the newspaper.

"Oh, really? Doing what?" Ginny asked curiously. She took the pancakes from the stove and dropped them down on Harry's plate. They looked delicious, with a slab of butter melting at the top.

"Just nervous," Harry paused and took a deep breath, "I'm meeting Hermione at Café Java. She said she'd give me a chance to explain about… what happened."

Ginny nodded and shot him a "thank-you" look. Harry nodded in appreciation. He'd do anything for his beautiful fiancée Ginny, and to regain Hermione and Ron's friendship and trust.

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Harry slowly opened up the blinds in his bedroom and plopped on the bed. He took out a small blue shaped notebook, which he found on top of Ginny's dresser and opened it, revealing small blue lines and a pink margin. He took a black pen from the pencil holder on top of the desk and began scribbling.

If he was going to explain everything that happened, he needed a plan, and a backup plan. He pictured himself talking very fast, seeing Hermione's brown eyebrows curving as a sign of confusion, and then lastly, her running out of the café - crying.

That's what he didn't want to happen. He made a few notes about what to say and what not to say, and then finally he had a whole conversation written down. He felt confident, knew that he had to do this. He had to win.

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Harry checked his watch for the hundredth time that day. He sighed, noticing that there were still three hours before he was going to meet Hermione. He was very excited, because obviously talking to his best friend meant the world to him, but he was also nervous. Nervous for the outcomes of this get-together if it didn't go too well…

Harry shook his head, not wanting to think about Café Java. Ginny was going to be home any minute now, and she was going to drop Harry off at work.

Work meant being an Auror. Harry smiled to himself pleasantly. He didn't know what to expect, and he surely needed to know how to act like one.

At least now he knew that Lucius was the "new Voldemort". Maybe he'd have to look for him? He didn't know anything, but he knew that he was a fast learner.

The doorbell rang. Harry sprung up a bit from surprise.

Ginny's voice rang out instantly, "Harry! Come on, you've got to go!"

Harry got up from the couch and looked at Ginny. She was smiling and Harry could see her bright white teeth. She waved her hands as a gesture to come outside.

Harry followed her into the car. She gave him a long kiss and then started the car.

"So when are you meeting Hermione?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Four, right after work. I'll just take a bus or something," Harry told her smiling, "I actually have a good feeling about this."

"Aww, I'm so happy for you, Harry!" She screamed. She turned into a parking lot that was full of cars and then parked the car, "Here we are."

"T-Thanks. I'll give you a call when I'm done. Or I can just take the bus." Harry sputtered. He slowly got out of the car and watched Ginny drive away. His heart pounded so loud that he could hear it himself.

"I can't do this…" Harry told himself. He shook his head. He knew he couldn't do this. What if he messed up and then lost his job? He'd never want to get fired.

"Harry!" someone shouted behind him. He turned around and saw a tall, skinny man, probably about his age. He had dark circles underneath his eyes, a sharp nose, and strawberry-colored hair.

"Come on in. We have to get straight to your interview," he told Harry with a grin on his face.

Harry found his palms getting sweaty.

"Umm. Sorry, I can't do it today. How about next week? I'm really busy." He told the skinny guy as best as he could. He nodded, and walked away.

He smiled to himself, thinking it was a piece of cake.

Now all he had to do was call Hermione, tell her to meet him at Café Java earlier, and head straight on to the coffee shop.

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Harry had called Hermione and told her to meet him there about two hours earlier. She agreed happily, and told him that she'd meet him there. Now Harry was sitting in a cozy booth at the side of the store – in case there would be screaming – and was very confident.

Sure enough, it was 1:30 and Hermione, gorgeous as ever, walked through the doors. She was wearing a light gray wife-beater, with a brown sweater pulled tightly over her body. Her khaki shorts went excellent with her brown eyes. Her hair was wavy, and hung lose over her shoulders. She smiled, and walked up to where Harry was sitting.

"Hey," she smiled. She took her seat and looked at Harry.

"Hey," Harry answered back nervously. He felt his stomach doing flips and his face burn with embarrassment.

"I'm glad you called me to meet you earlier. I was extremely nervous in the morning and Ron wouldn't stop giving me confused looks. It felt good to be out of the house," Hermione chuckled to herself.

"Ron… Ron doesn't know about us?" Harry asked.

Hermione gave him a small smirk.

"I mean… about us meeting here," He added in. He felt his cheeks grow hot and red.

"No. He doesn't," Hermione looked down, embarrassed. After about a few moments of silence, Harry felt as though he should be the one to say something – to finally apologize.

"So listen…" Harry started, "I need to apologize."

Hermione looked surprised. Her eyes grew wide and she gave him a half smile, "Whatever for?"

Harry sighed, noting her sarcasm, "I know nothing will ever be as great as what we had during Hogwarts, but I have my reasons for leaving."

Hermione twirled her thumbs.

"I really wanted you guys to come with me to fight Voldemort. Truly, I did. But what if something happened to you? What if Voldemort killed you guys first? I could never live with that." Harry explained gently. He eyed the waiter who gave them both confused looks.

"True," she said blankly. She pursed her lips and took a short sip of her water.

"So…" Harry sighed, "Do you forgive me? I know I was pretty harsh on you guys, but I even missed work today to come and see you."

There was a moment of silence before Hermione broke out into a grin and leaped from her seat and kissed Harry on the cheek.

Harry felt the place where she had kissed him flame. His heart pounded and he finally broke out into a grin.

"Oh, Harry. I've missed you so much!" Hermione cried. There were tears of happiness flowing down her cheeks.

"I know. I've missed you too." His insides churned again. He felt his palms feeling sweaty, and he could feel the blood rising to his face. Why was he feeling like this? Did he have feelings for Hermione? Of course he couldn't; she would always be his best friend that he loved with all his heart.

"So… what'd you say we skip this and go to the beach? We can talk, hang out, and get an ice cream or hot dog…" Hermione asked softly. She got out of her seat and gave him a hand.

Harry smiled and nodded, "I'd love that."

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"Oh my god! I remember! And than you pretended to be Draco, and Pansy came up and kissed you? That was hilarious!" Hermione burst out laughing.

Hermione and Harry were walking down a California beach, eating ice cream cones, and laughing; talking about the old days. Harry loved this, obviously, because he was living in the present times. It was now five, and they'd been talking for over three hours.

Hermione looked absolutely beautiful. Her hair was in a high ponytail, which reached her shoulders, and her eyes were the deep brown of her hair. He couldn't help but notice that she looked even more stunning than Ginny. He shook his head, and snapped out of his little daydream.

"I also remember when Ron's mum sent him those ghastly dress robes and Parvati and Padma were too disgusted to dance with him!" Harry chuckled loudly, "That was a lot of fun. 4th year, wasn't it? The Yule Ball?"

"Yeah," she gave him a small smile, "Those days were all about fun."

"Hey. So tell me about yourself now. Ron, work…" Harry wondered out loud.

Hermione giggled and filled him in, "Well, Ron proposed to me about half a year ago. It was very romantic; he took me to this very beach – it's my favorite one – and set up thousands of roses around the beach, called a DJ, and it was just he and I. Dancing on the beach, and then he proposed. Got down on one knee… and oh Harry. I can't believe I'm getting married."

Harry felt a twinge of jealousy inside him, but not wanting to hurt Hermione, he gave her a fake smile, "Yeah, wonderful."

"You don't seem happy for me," Hermione stopped walking. She stood in front of Harry, her hands on her hips.

"It's just that… back in the days, you never had eyes for him, right?" Harry asked, curiously.

"Actually, no. But after you left, my whole life had collapsed. Ron was the only one I could turn to, the only one I could be with, you know? We grew closer and closer…" Hermione stopped, noticing what she had said.

Harry's eyes grew wide, "I hurt you that much?"

Hermione's face lit up again, happy that Harry hadn't realized her comment earlier.

"Yes, Harry, you did," she said, "but that's in the past now, and I'm really glad we settled everything."

"Yeah, me too." Harry looked down and shuffled his feet.

Behind where they were standing, two kids were running and laughing, playing tag. They ran, and ran until they crashed right into were Hermione and Harry were standing. Instantly they both came crashing to the ground.

Harry fell right on top of Hermione. Hermione squealed and then calmed down. She looked straight into Harry's eyes, and they both felt each other's gaze.

Harry looked into her deep eyes, and felt the urge to kiss her. She looks so beautiful, Harry thought. Just kiss he. How will Ron ever find out? What if he does? He'll never forgive me. But wait; he never does have to find out. Hermione won't tell him. I won't tell him… Harry's mind told him. Finally, without knowing what he was doing, he leaned in to kiss her – right there – on the beach.

A/N: Ahhh cliffhanger! Please reviewww. I hope you guys liked that chapter. The next one will be up in NO time.

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