Disclaimer: You know already, all HP characters don't belong to me.

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Author's Note: "Crime of Passion" is now available in Spanish! Go to my profile for more details.

Thank you all for your reviews! Sorry for not updating for a long time, I got a huge writer's block, again! This story is getting very hard to write…

Chapter 18: 1st of August 2004

William fell asleep on his father's bed, with all the family photos around him. The next day, he woke up and the first photo he saw was the photo of his parents, standing together in the kitchen, washing dishes. They looked just like any other happy couple.

Slowly, William got up and gathered all of them so that he could put them back into the album neatly. He then picked out the family photo and went downstairs.


In the living room, William conjured up a photo frame and placed the photo in. He then put it neatly on the mantelpiece at the fireplace.

Ding Dong

William went to open the door. His mouth dropped open slightly at the sight.

"Ginny?"

"May I come in?" asked Ginny.

"Um, sure." said William, stepping aside.

Ginny came into the house. She looked around the house with an odd look on her face. William had a feeling that she was thinking about the past, when she used to come to this house to visit his father.

"Make yourself comfortable. I will go and get a drink for you." said William.

Ginny didn't respond. She was looking at the photo on the mantelpiece.

William ducked into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. He glanced at Ginny as he did. Ginny had gone right in front of the fireplace to look at the photo. The sorrow was painfully clear on her face.

William went out to the living room and placed the drink down on the table. Ginny quickly came back to the sofa and sat down.

"So… um, what makes you come?" asked William.

"I want to tell you something." said Ginny.

"Okay."

"William… Neville and I are getting married."

William blinked in surprise. "You are?"

Ginny nodded.

William was silent for a while before he said, "That's great. It's about time, you know."

Ginny's cheeks went pink and smiled shyly. This was the first time William ever saw her like that.

"Neville and I want you to come to the wedding." continued Ginny.

"When is it?"

"A month later."

"Okay, I will go."

Silence.

"So, err, how are things between you and Miss Lestrange?" asked Ginny.

William's mind went blank for a moment. Then he said, "How did you know that she's a…"

"Oh come on, Draco Malfoy posted a huge picture of his son and Mary along with the wedding announcement. We all saw it." said Ginny.

"You and Neville don't hate her?"

"Is there any reason why we should?" asked Ginny.

"Well, her grandparents are the ones who… err…"

Ginny shook her head. "I don't hate her. Neither does Neville. He says that it's her grandparents who drove his parents to insanity, not her. Besides, she seems to be a good type."

"She is." said William quietly.

"So how're things between you two?" asked Ginny in concern.

"We broke up. I don't want us to meet the same fate my parents do…"

Ginny frowned.

"Wrong move, William." said Ginny.

"Huh?"

"Wrong move. Do you think you can forget Mary easily once she has married to Aidoneus Malfoy?"

William was quiet.

"No, if I haven't known you better, you won't forget her. Even though she's married, you will still go and find her and history will repeat itself."

Ginny reached out and took William's hand. "She's engaged, but that doesn't mean she's already married. You still have the chance to get her from Malfoy. Don't give up until she says 'I do'. Don't repeat what your father did."

"Ginny… I think I can live perfectly fine without Mary. I will not repeat history." said William finally.

"Really?" asked Ginny. Then she got up. "Don't let me find you and Mary in court."

She was about to leave when she turned and looked at William seriously. "I'm serious. Your parents gave their lives to have you and they love you, very much. Don't disappoint them."


After Ginny left, William was left alone with his thoughts. He then took the diary and opened it.
1st of August 2004

Diary,

Yesterday was my birthday and Diary, that's one of the best birthdays I ever have.

Well, sort of.

Yesterday, I woke up, feeling someone's lips on mine. I blinked and when my vision was clear, I found out that it was Hermione who was kissing me.

Naturally, I just kissed her back and when we released each other, I asked her her purpose of coming here.

She replied that it's my birthday and she wanted to celebrate with me.

"What about your family, your work?"

"Today is my day-off and I told the Weasleys that I will be out for the whole day in the muggle world."

Hermione lay down, her head on my chest. "So I'm yours for the whole day."

She smiled at me. "So what shall we do today?"

I smiled back and wrapped my arms around her. "Let's just lie here for a while."

"Okay." Hermione whispered and we just lay there on my bed for an hour, with our arms around each other. We even talked a bit as we did.


By the time we decided to get out of my bed, it's already afternoon. So we decided to have lunch.

"Harry, you just sit right here. I will make lunch." said Hermione cheerfully as she pushed me down on a chair.

"But I want to help you." I said in protest.

"No way." said Hermione. "You're the birthday boy, I won't let you lay a finger on the cooking. If you insist, I will hex you."

I gave in and watched as Hermione made lunch. She walked around the kitchen, checking on the soup, cutting the vegetables… every move she made was gentle and for some reason, heart-warming.

I just don't understand why Ron doesn't appreciate her like I do.

Hermione caught me staring at her and she tapped me on the head with the soup ladle.

"What are you looking at?"

I smiled. "Nothing."

Hermione looked at me as if I have gone nuts and went back to her cooking.


Hermione's cooking was excellent and we managed to finish everything in just half an hour. Then we sat down, trying to think of what to do for the rest of the day when someone knocked on the door.

"I will get it." I said and went to the door.

It's Ginny at the door.

"Hi Harry." she said.

I turned around and heard a loud CRACK. Hermione had Disapparated to elsewhere in the house.

"Hi." I replied, glad that Hermione would go out of sight without me warning her. "What's up?"

Ginny handed me a box. "Here, happy birthday."

"What is it?"

"A birthday cake, made by me and my mum."

"Aww, you two shouldn't have. Thanks."

There was silence before Ginny asked, "Are you going to ask me into the house?"

"Um… sorry, I can't. My Quidditch team mates are coming over later and I know that you don't like them." I lied.

"Oh… okay then. Err, I will just go now." said Ginny.

I smiled and gave another word of thanks before sending Ginny off. I felt rather guilty, lying to Ginny like that, but I had no choice.

I found Hermione in my bedroom and this time, she didn't cry. She just looked slightly depressed. I guess she have already used to it.

"Are you all right?" I asked in concern.

Hermione smiled slightly. "I will be fine."

"Ginny and Mrs Weasley made me a birthday cake. Why don't we eat together later?" I asked gently.

Hermione's smile became brighter and she nodded. "Let's have it for dinner."


We decided to sit on the sofa, listen to music and read together for the rest of the day. It's not very interesting, but as long as we are together, we are contented.

When evening came, we brought out the cake and before I cut it, Hermione stopped me and she conjured two candles. One was shaped like 2 and another one shaped like 4. She then placed them on the cake and lit them.

"Make a wish, Harry." she said.

I did. I wish that… well, I didn't say it out loud, so I suppose that it's all right. I wish that William, Hermione and I will be together again, soon.

I hope that isn't too much.

Then I blew out the candles and Hermione kissed me. "Happy birthday, Dear."


As the birthday cake was a little too much for the two of us, I decided to keep it for tomorrow's breakfast.

As night falls in Godric's Hollow, we made love. We satisfied our lonely hearts and our desire for each other as we did it on my bed. We flung our thoughts aside, not having a care for the world.

When it's over, we just lay there, our hands held tight together. We were like two very lonely people, enjoying each other's company.

"I should go home now." whispered Hermione, her voice sounded like she was in a trance.

"Don't." I said simply as I brushed my lips against her hair.

"I have to, I didn't tell the Weasleys that I will be staying overnight outside." said Hermione weakly.

I didn't respond. So, finally, I said, "You're not a child anymore, Darling. You don't have to tell them everything."

Entwining my fingers with hers, she said softly, "You're right. But I have to go back, or else the Weasleys will get suspicious."

So she got out of my bed and put on her clothes. I was still on my bed, naked and tired from our lovemaking.

"I'm doing this for our future." said Hermione apologetically and she kissed me on the lips. "I will see you soon, my love."

After Hermione left, I just lay on my bed. Although I was tired, I didn't feel like sleeping. It was like hours before I decided to tell you about my day.

Poor Hermione.

Poor me.

Poor William.

Harry


William closed the diary. Ginny's words and his father's entry remained in his mind. He's now confused. So what was he going to do now? Get Mary back before it's too late? Or just move on without her?