The first few days of their travels led them to various quaint bed and breakfasts around England. They had been to several museums , seen a play, eaten at various restaurants and toured ancient ruins. Harry was careful to not pack more than one or two activities into a day for Hermione's benefit. She had held up well and they had enjoyed their down time just as much as the sightseeing. On the fifth day of their honeymoon Harry told Hermione that their next stop would be their last. He had been met by her confused expression as it was understood that their honeymoon was to last for two weeks. He assured her that he had no intention of cutting their trip short but that the next stop was their true destination. Hermione's interest had been piqued of course, and Harry quite enjoyed keeping her in the dark about it right up until their arrival. The sheer awe and clear joy that had played out on Hermione's features when they had arrived at the Potter's private beach house was etched into Harry's mind forever. The well-kept, but quaint home sat along a secluded coast. The grass slowly faded into soft sand the closer one got to the crashing ocean waves. The north coast boasted majestic rock outcroppings and cliffs. The south coast stretched for some ways before disappearing around a bend in the landscape.
Harry had enjoyed seeing Hermione relax in the sun, play like a child in the waves, and laugh as they had tried to build a sandcastle that had turned out looking more like an indistinguishable mound of dirt with various things sticking out of it. They had been there four days now. Harry had never felt so relaxed, happy, and hopeful. Hermione had not had an attack since their marriage had begun. He knew he shouldn't get too excited but it was hard not to, especially when he saw daily improvement in Hermione's health. She was gaining back her energy, eating more, and was decidedly more at ease than she had been in months. At that moment Harry was making breakfast for them. His mind kept wandering to the afternoon before. He and Hermione had found a very secluded and private bit of beach down by the rocks during their walk. The picnic they had brought was left forgotten, but the picnic blanket had come in quite handily. Harry had never had a more pleasurable time under the setting sun.
"Good morning," Hermione said as she entered the kitchen and kissed him on the cheek. "It sure smells good."
"Just some eggs and sausage. Nothing too fancy," Harry replied. "How did you sleep?"
"You were right next to me, Harry" Hermione teased as she poured some orange juice for them.
"Indeed, but I do tend to sleep heavily," Harry responded as he dished them up.
"In that case, I slept just fine except for the man snoring next to me," Hermione grinned.
"I do not snore!" Harry protested.
"You are a deep sleeper, so how would you know?" Hermione egged him on.
Harry rolled his eyes but then asked, "Did I really keep you up?"
Laughing Hermione replied, "No, dear. You are correct, you don't snore." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him properly. "Let's eat before it gets cold."
Near the end of breakfast Hermione asked hesitantly, "Do you think…I mean we should probably talk about this…the fact that I am…well, feeling good again. Right?"
Harry could hear the hope, yet uncertainty in her voice. "You are right. We should talk about it. I have tried not to get my hopes up but-"
"But how can we not? I mean I haven't felt this good in a long time, Harry. I even think I might be able to do some magic. Nothing big of course but I just feel…stronger," Hermione said with excitement.
Harry smiled, "I know. I am so glad to see you more like yourself, Hermione. I just... let's not get ahead of ourselves. I still don't think you doing magic is a safe idea yet."
"How long do we wait before we can say it's over? How long will it take to feel truly safe? Years?" Hermione asked. Her voice wavered slightly.
Harry shook his head and sighed, "I don't know. I hope it won't take that long and that Atticus will be taken in soon and we will have answers. After the honeymoon I think we should have Madam Pomfrey take a look at you. She will be able to tell us how much you have recovered during the last couple of weeks."
"Alright, that does seem to be the logical thing to do. I won't attempt magic until she's examined me," Hermione conceded.
Harry squeezed her hand. "Let's enjoy these last few days and try not to think about it."
"Agreed," Hermione said.
The last few days at the beach house were etched into Harry's mind. The sunsets, the feel of Hermione's skin, the way her hair blew across her face in the breeze. The smell of salt water, and the way Hermione giggled when he tickled her. The couple had returned to the manor just a day ago. They had admitted that it was good to be home. Colby and Biddy had been ecstatic to see Hermione so improved and had welcomed them home with a romantic candle lit dinner.
Harry was currently getting dressed in anticipation of Hermione's checkup with Madam Pomfrey. The mediwitch was to Floo over in just half an hour. Suddenly Harry heard the lilting sounds of piano music from downstairs. His face broke into a smile. It had to be Hermione. He quickly made his way down to the sitting room. Harry lingered silently in the doorway as he watched Hermione play the baby grand piano. Her fingers were light against the keys. Her body swayed slightly as she played a lovely tune by memory. This had been the first time she had sat at the piano since living there. He had almost forgotten that she played. When the song was done and Hermione's hands dropped to her lap he clapped. Instead of surprising her by his presence, she simply turned to him with a smirk and said, "It is rude to linger and stare, Harry."
Harry beamed at her and bowed, "I do apologize. I just didn't want to disturb you." He walked to her and stood behind her. His hands gently massaged her shoulders. She had been tense and nervous all morning about the upcoming examination. "I had almost forgotten you played so well. It was beautiful. I hope you play more often." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I do miss playing. I guess I just wasn't feeling well enough until now. I needed the distraction though. I am glad you liked it. It was my dad's favorite. "
Harry could hear the sadness in her voice as she confessed the tenderness of that particular song to him. He squeezed her shoulders once again and then proceeded to take a seat beside her on the bench. "I remember when you played the piano in Grimmauld Place. I was surprised by your hidden talent."
There was a faraway look on Hermione's face as she looked into her lap and said softly, "It was Ron sitting next to me then."
"Yeah, I remember that too," Harry confessed.
"Making a mess of it, as usual," Hermione scoffed with a smile.
Harry smiled at that. "A lot has changed."
"That seems so long ago. Back then I felt so grown up. So sure of what I wanted and that we could win. I really had no idea. No idea what life was really like."
"We grew up fast that year," Harry nodded. "We did win."
"We did. It just didn't happen the way my naïve mind had thought it would," Hermione confessed.
"No. It wasn't what any of us had expected," Harry agreed as he placed his arm around her. She laid her head on his shoulder.
"We're grown up now. I know more than ever what it is I want."
"What's that?" Harry asked.
"You." Hermione said softly. "Just you."
"I feel the same way about you," Harry replied before capturing her lips in a deep kiss.
An hour later Hermione was holding Harry's hand as they anxiously awaited the final results of Madam Pomfrey's examination. Finally the mediwitch sat in a chair across from them and said, "It appears that Mrs. Potter's health has improved quite a lot. From all of my scans it is clear that you have gotten good rest, and eaten properly. You say you have not had any more migraines?"
"No. Not for some time now," Hermione replied squeezing Harry's hand.
"What about your tremors?" Pomfrey asked.
"My hands occasionally shake a little but I haven't been getting any full body tremors like I used to get."
"Good. Good," Madam Pomfrey marked it down in her notebook. Looking back at the couple she smiled and said, "I suppose I will hold you in suspense no longer. Hermione's core levels have risen considerably since I last checked them. They are currently at 80%. If things continue I should think that she should be capable of her full magical capabilities in about a month."
Hermione smiled widely, "So, can I do magic again?"
"Technically, yes. But I would not suggest any big spells. The more magic you use the longer it will take for you to reach your full core levels again." Madam Pomfrey explained.
Hermione nodded and felt Harry draw a breath as he asked, "Is there any way of telling if the bond has been satisfied? Are her attacks over?"
Madam Pomfrey sighed, "Unfortunately, there is no way to know that. It does appear as if your marriage satisfied the bond to some degree considering that an attack has not occurred in some time now. However, without knowing exactly what kind of bond this is or how it works there is no way of truly knowing what to expect. All we can do is hope for the best. Time will tell. But for now things are definitely looking up."
"Thank you," Hermione said rising to hug the mediwitch.
"My pleasure, please contact me if anything comes up. I'll check back in a couple more weeks."
"Sounds good," Harry said leading her to the fireplace. He helped the older woman step in and watched her vanish in a flare of green flames. He turned to Hermione and swept her into the air as he spun around. She shrieked with surprise and as he set her down again he exclaimed, "Good news!"
"Very good news. I can't wait to try a simple spell." Hermione went to the desk and retrieved her wand. She asked, "What spell should I try?"
"How about wingardum leviosa?" Harry said with a sly gin.
Hermione chuckled, "You would pick a first year spell!"
Harry shrugged, "You asked for simple."
Hermione nodded but hesitated. "What if…what if it doesn't work? What if I've…"
Harry quickly reassured her and placing a calming hand on her arm replied, "You still have it Hermione. It's part of you. Don't over think it. You are still the most brilliant witch I know."
Hermione gave him a small smile and bit her lip before saying, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The book on the end table took flight and Hermione easily guided it to the nearby shelf.
"See? I told you. How did it feel?" Harry asked.
"Brilliant." Hermione replied.
"Don't overdo it though," Harry cautioned.
"I will do my best. I've missed it. I didn't think I would but…"
"It's part of who you are Hermione. A part that you have been cut off from for a while now. I can only imagine how it feels to get it back." Harry offered.
"It is very satisfying. Like being whole again," Hermione admitted. "Though I can also think of something else that makes me feel whole. And it is much more engaging than simple spell work." She pulled Harry in close and kissed him lightly on the cheek, then the neck, then his lips.
"You know I think that shirt might impede me from returning your kisses properly. The high collar on it and all," Harry teased, capturing her lips again.
Hermione replied with a sly grin, "Feel free to help me out of it."
With a swish of his wand Harry locked the study doors, and put up a silencing spell.
Special shout out to FluffyPandaShip for leaving a review on every chapter for me! I really appreciate that. Please review guys! Just let me know you are reading! Sorry for the wait. Don't get to comfortable. I can promise things in paradise will not last. Do they ever?