Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter/Wizarding World. They were all created by the genius that is J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Just wanted to give a thanks to the people who has reviewed and the ones who have added my story to their subscriptions and alerts. I also wanted to put out there that while this has started off as a fluff piece it's not going to be all fluff. I just figure you know Harry hasn't exactly had an easy life he needs at least a few months of happiness before the shit hits the fan. I also wanted to say that sorry that everything ended up all ran together in the last chapter.
Chapter 2: Choices
Hermione was relieved when she saw Harry sitting alone on the worn couch that had been their favorite spot since their first year. It had been a little over a week since he'd let her know how he felt. While deep down she knew what her answer would be, it seemed like she could never get away to talk to him. He'd been spending time with Neville, seeing as how she and Ron had been overseeing the Holiday decorating in the Great Hall. Then there were midterms that had everyone stressed out. They'd all thought O.W.L year had been horrible and that was with Umbridge breathing down all their necks and Harry's flashes inside of He Who Must Not Be Named's mind. N.E. was so much worse. Then there was the fact that she had Cormac chasing her around. She had no idea what she'd done to deserve that vile creature's attention and she did know she'd be sure to stop it whatever it was. As she set down beside of Harry she got the 'stink eye' from Romilda Vane. "I see you're still pouring over that book." She said.
Harry turned and started to say that he could see that she was still nagging about it, when he saw the exhausted look on her face. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked pulling her into his arms.
Hermione nodded laying her head against his shoulder, "I don't remember midterms ever being like this." She said.
Harry grinned and looked down at her his hand stroking her hair gently, "You say that every year."
Hermione glared up at him. "This is different." She gave him a look that said I dare you to say it again.
"Anything I can do?" he cleared his throat.
"This is nice." She said closing her eyes enjoying just being with him like this.
"Have you given any thought to Slughorn's party?" he asked gently massaging her shoulders.
Hermione closed her eyes and moaned softly, "What about it?"
"Well a few weeks ago you'd talked about taking Ron. I just thought maybe we could go together." He said trying to sound casual.
She smiled and looked up at him. "I like that idea."
"Good." He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. Behind them at one of the work tables someone slammed a book shut and stormed from the room. Harry looked over his shoulder confused look on his face when he seen Romilda storm out of the common room. "What was that about?"
"That's Romilda Vane." Hermione said and at Harry's blank look she continued. "She was hoping that you'd take her to the party."
"I don't even know her." Harry said still confused.
"She only likes you because you're famous." Hermione said. "She was talking to some of the other girls about how she's trying to figure a way to slip you a love potion."
Harry looked down at her he didn't know if he should be shocked or surprised or a little of both. "Girls…really talk about that?"
"Well not me." Hermione said. "Some girls think that it's the only way to get a boy to like them. "God forbid that they actually have to speak to a boy."
"I'll be sure to keep my eyes opened for questionable gifts of food or drink." He promised kissing the top of her head.
Hermione settled back against his chest listening to his heart beating. She had a ton of studying to do but for once in her life she didn't want be responsible. She wanted to say with him like this forever, though she knew that it wasn't possible or even plausible for that matter. She was a firm believer that sometimes, while people we're perfect, there were perfect moments in life and this was defiantly one of them. Everything had become so hectic, she hadn't had time to really sit down and weigh out the pros and cons of what a romantic relationship with Harry Potter would entail. It would be dangerous loving someone whose future was as questionable as his past. It would be dangerous and then there was that Chosen One business. The war that their world was on the verge of could break out in full force at any time and Harry was right at the center of it. Would she be able to let him go, knowing that she might never see him again? That thought she pushed from her mind, it wasn't because she was putting it off. It was because though it was close it hadn't made it there yet. It was then that Hermione realized one very important thing. All of these things that were going to happen didn't change what she felt for him. What she felt was solid and real she owed it not only to herself but to Harry to give it a chance. "Things are defiantly about to change Harry." She said after a long pause while lying silent in his arms.
Harry looked down at her an eyebrow raised, "Are they?"
'Yes." She said leaning up to kiss him softly.
