4. She is the only one who stands up to me

"Where is Harry?" Hermione asked, appearing in the living room of the house she shared with Harry.

"In the bedroom." said Ron, looking concerned.

"Packing." added Ginny, grimacing as if waiting for a bomb to explode.

"And you're just sitting here, letting him go away. Just like that, huh?" Hermione asked, taking a deep breath, trying to cool herself down. "Why didn't you do anything?"

"Well, we called you, didn't we?" Ron said, he must have found the curtains very interesting because he wasn't looking anywhere else. Ginny, elbowing her brother, said,

"You should see him, Hermione. He's acting like his teenager days. Hot-headed, stubborn, he doesn't listen to anyone."

"So, you tried to stop him but he didn't listen, as usual."

"Actually, he shouted at us. It was really frightening, to be honest. OW!" Ginny had elbowed him, once again.

"He needs you, Hermione." Hermione looked at the source of the voice. Luna was sitting cross-legged at the floor, reading her magazine. "We are sure that you'll bring him to his senses. You always do." Ron and Ginny nodded at once.

"I hope so, Luna, I really hope so." Hermione sighed and went down the corridor to their bedroom. She knocked on the door and got inside without waiting for an answer.

"I said leave me alone." said Harry without looking at the door.

"I didn't hear anything like that, besides I wouldn't listen anyways." Harry looked up, and upon seeing Hermione, straightened,

"Oh, I didn't know you were home." Hermione sat at the end of their bed.

"And I didn't know that you could take a decision as big as this without talking with me." She looked inside the rucksack, taking out a t-shirt. "Going somewhere?" Harry sighed, dropping the shirt he was holding.

"Hermione, I have to go. There are death eater sightings at Scotland. I have to be there." Hermione stood up, looking fiercely in his emerald green eyes.

"No, you don't have to. You're not an auror, and as far as I know, it's an auror's job to catch criminals." Harry averted his eyes,

"'Mione, you don't understand. I-"

"No, Harry, YOU don't understand. We made an agreement after Hogwarts. We said we were done with this… with this shit… You, Ron and I… I won't let you get back in danger."

"I know but I have to. It's my war, my job-" Hermione shook her head.

"Again, no. It WAS Wizarding World's war and we have completed our part in it, we did great things Harry, but it's over now. We gave our childhood, I won't let you give our future, too." Harry closed his eyes.

"Hermione, I can't let them fight alone."

"Then, I'll go with you." Harry opened his eyes at once.

"No, you won't."

"Yes, I will. I did that mistake once, I let you go alone once and they brought back your… your cor- your body. Do you know how I felt, waiting for you to come back, not knowing if you're alive, and suddenly being told that you're dead? I won't live through that again. If you go, I go, that's it." Hermione blinked back her tears, trying to hold his gaze.

"But the aurors…"

"They chose that life, they wanted to catch criminals. We had the choice and we decided against it. We said we wanted a safe life away from death eaters or what remains of them." Hermione sighed and took his hands, pulling him down with her to sit down. "Harry, the war is over, they are just some fugitives, let the aurors do their job. Heaven forbid, if the war starts again, we will take our place at the front. But not now, not like this." Harry looked deep inside her eyes. Hermione, while holding his gaze, prepared herself for another 'but', but it never came. What came instead was a kiss that took her breath away, making her forget everything.

"Why are you always right? And why can't I ever say no to you?" Hermione smiled softly, taking his cheeks in her hands, she leaned her forehead on his.

"Because I'm Hermione Granger, and because you love me."

"You're right again." Harry grinned lopsidedly, trying to push her back onto their bed. Hermione laughed and resisted him, shaking her head.

"Not now, love, we have guests." She pushed him from his chest, looking pointedly at him. "I heard you were a little rough on our friends. The last time I saw Ron this pale, he was going to propose to Luna." He tousled his already messy hair.

"I might have raised my voice a little." He held up his thumb and index finger with a little gap between them. Hermione laughed.

"Yeah, I'm sure it was just like that." Harry grinned, pushing her down slyly. Hermione surrendered, letting him lay her down. He began kissing her neck.

"Mmm, I missed you." Hermione tilted her head, closing the way to her neck.

"Love, I missed you, too, but first you should send your friends to their homes." Harry sighed deeply. "Without shouting, Harry. Understood?" He nodded, looking displeased.

"Okay, but don't go anywhere, I'll be right back." Hermione laughed.

"Where can I go, Harry?"

"Just to be sure. And, Hermione…" Harry trailed off, looking deep in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Yes, Harry?"

"I love you." He kissed her once more and went out of their bedroom, leaving a dazed Hermione behind.