12. Her sense of justice and her determination for standing with what is right
"I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen, to speak up. And to ask yourself: If not me, who? If not now, when? Thank you." Hermione smiled shyly upon all the applause she received. She bowed slightly with her head and got off the stage.
Harry smiled at his girlfriend, still clapping.
"So was it good?" she asked, flushed from the excitement of the speech she just gave. Harry looked at her face, her eyes mirroring her anxiousness.
"Was it good? 'Mione, it was amazing. You were amazing." Hermione's smile widened.
"Really? Do you think they will sign up? We still need seventy two people to reach five thousand, then-"
"Then the Ministry has to legalise S.P.E.W. I know Hermione, that's all you've been talking about for the past month." Harry smiled and took her hands in his, pulling her into an embrace. "Don't worry, it'll be alright." Hermione tucked her head under his chin.
"I'm sorry, love. I know, I've bored you with this topic but it's really important for me."
"It's important for me, too, 'Mione. I'm not bored, far from it. I really enjoy seeing you all worked up for something this significant. You, of all people, know how I feel about house elves. I'm really proud of you." Hermione looked up from her place at his chest.
"Actually, I think you should be proud of yourself. You're the one who believed in me, in S.P.E.W. when I first started this. You helped me and made me keep going when I felt hopeless. Thank you." Harry kissed her forehead.
"You're right. I'm proud of myself, too. After all, I've somehow managed to get you to love me. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you, the most intelligent, the most determined and the fairest person I know. I love you so much." Hermione's eyes filled with tears.
"Oh, Harry. I love you, too." She reached up and kissed him passionately. Harry responded with equal passion but after a few seconds he remembered where they were and pulled back.
"I think we should control ourselves, 'Mione. I'm sure there're people who want to talk to you." He said, trying not to smile too much but failing. Hermione grinned and kissed his cheek.
"You're right. I should go around and speak with the guests. Maybe I can convince more people. We still need-"
"Seventy two people, yeah. Well, go then. I will be waiting you right here." Harry lowered his head and whispered in her ear huskily. "Can't wait to take you home." Hermione shivered from his breath caressing her neck. She locked her chocolate brown eyes to his emerald ones and said in a low, sexy voice before letting go of his hand,
"Can't wait for you to take me… home." It was that millisecond pause at the end of the sentence that made Harry smile like an idiot all night.