A/N: Again, I'm sorry for the delay. But I'm here so that's what counts, right? LOL. Thank you, TyrannicPuppy for going over this! Anyway, hope everyone enjoys this chapter. *runs and hides*
"What do you guys want for drinks?" Harry asked the two boys who were jumping in excitement beside him by the snack bar.
"I'd like a Coke!" Ron Weasley called out from behind him.
"Not you, you git. You can get your own drink." Harry laughed and brought his wallet out after the kids had given their orders. He ordered another Coke for himself and one iced tea for Ethan's mother, even though she wasn't there yet. He wondered when she was going to arrive since the football game would be starting in a few minutes.
A month had passed since Hermione had revealed her past to him. He could honestly say that it only served to bring them closer. They were practically joined at the hip whenever they weren't busy with their respective jobs. Their sons had grown closer as well and it was adorable to watch the little ones bond and play together.
He, Ethan, and Teddy, along with his friends Ron, Dean, Neville, and Seamus arrived earlier at Wembley Stadium to watch a football game, something Harry and Hermione had talked about doing together during their "unofficial" date. This was part of their birthday gift to Ethan, who turned 10 a few days prior. Hermione had asked him to bring Ethan along first, which he easily agreed to, because she had some leftover work she had to finish before going to the game.
Once they'd bought their food and drinks, the group headed for their seats and waited for the game to begin.
"Where's Hermione, Harry?" Seamus asked before taking a bite of his club sandwich.
"She said she had to finish up some work before she comes here. Teddy and I picked up Ethan at the bookshop earlier," Harry answered. He looked down at both boys and told them to hold still before he wiped their faces of cheese powder from the popcorn they were eating. He didn't see his friends watching him until he looked up after making sure both kids were clean enough. They all had an amused expression on their faces.
"What?" He asked, frowning.
They just laughed at him. "Nothing, really. Seems like you're getting enough practice for fatherhood. Anything you'd like to tell us?" Dean said.
Harry just shook his head and sat back on his chair. He had been spending quite a lot of time with Hermione, Ethan, and Teddy whenever their schedules permitted it. They would be like a little family going on outings or just spending the day in either of their homes. It was all so domestic and Harry had to admit he loved every minute of it. Watching Hermione play with Ethan and Teddy, teaching them and sharing her vast knowledge of the world with them, or just simply taking care of them, would fill his heart with so much emotion, he felt like he would explode.
The depth of his feelings for the gorgeous brunette scared him sometimes. They had only known each other for a few months, but it felt like he had known her for as long as he knew Ron and the others. There was just something about her that simply mesmerized him.
Every little thing she did only made him love her even more. His eyes widened at the thought. Love. He exhaled sharply. He had never been in love so he didn't recognize the signs before that moment. Love. It was the first time he associated the word to a woman. Yes, he loved the Weasleys as you would love a family. He loved his godson as you would love your own son. But being in love was a foreign concept to him.
He waited for that suffocating apprehension every time he thought of experiencing such a feeling for another person, but it didn't come. All that came was a sense of warmth and peace when he associated the feeling to Hermione. There was a certain rightness to her and Ethan being a part of every aspect of his life. He was sure that it would be a grave mistake if he ever messed it up and let her go.
"Mum! Aunt Marga!" Ethan's voice disrupted his musings. He turned around and felt his breath taken away from him.
It seemed Hermione changed clothes before coming to the stadium. She was wearing a low V-neck black shirt, a pair of black skinny jeans, camel-colored leather jacket, and nude heels. She fixed her hair in a messy bun on top of her head and she was wearing her wide-rimmed glasses. It was all casual and chic but damn, his girlfriend was one hell of a gorgeous woman. And he couldn't wait to get her alone again so he could show her just how beautiful she was.
Harry had to shake his head to get rid of his wayward thoughts about Hermione as she approached them.
He watched as she greeted her son and Teddy. "Hello darlings!" She kissed both boys on the cheeks. He looked on, amused, as his godson blushed at her affections. It seemed he was not the only one besotted with the beautiful brunette.
"Hey, Harry." Margarethe kissed him on the cheek, as well, before taking the seat beside Neville. Neville stammered and his face flushed as he offered the food and drink he had bought for her.
"Hi! Sorry, we're late. Work was a little crazy," she said apologetically after she kissed him on the lips and took her seat beside him.
Harry smiled at Hermione and shook his head. "It's alright. You haven't missed much anyway. It's only 15 minutes into the game." He gave her the drink and sandwiches he bought earlier for her. "Here, I got you these."
"You are a godsend! Thank you!" She said gratefully as she took the food and drink from him. "Merlin, I'm absolutely starving!"
He smiled and kissed her cheek. "It's nothing."
"You're too good to me," she said with a winsome smile and his heart pounded in his chest. Gods, how he loved this woman. He had no idea how she felt about him but he knew he had to tell her about his feelings. And soon.
Harry knew all too well where he was. He had been in that place far too many times. But something was different this time, he could feel it. He felt like something was going to happen.
He kept walking deeper into the forest. While a lot of dangerous creatures live in the Forbidden Forest, Harry had spent enough time in it that he was prepared for any unexpected attacks. Wand in his hand, his awareness of his surroundings on overdrive, he looked around looking for something even though he was not sure what.
He came upon a clearing and something about that space felt familiar to him. He walked into the open space and froze, his hands began to tremble. Across the clearing was Voldemort, wand up, pointing forward. He looked at what Voldermort's wand was pointing at and felt his knees gave out as he saw Hermione, on her knees. There were tears streaming down her beautiful face but her expression was one of defiance. He felt a small smile grace his face at the evidence of Hermione's strength and courage.
"Harry Potter, glad that you could join us," Voldemort said, his voice was still the eerie raspy sound he had heard so many years ago.
"You're dead. I made sure of that," Harry retorted as he stood up.
"Oh, but I am the most powerful wizard in the world. A mere teenager could never defeat me."
"But I did. And I will, again and again," Harry said, walking slowly towards the dark wizard and Hermione.
"Even at the cost of the woman you love?" Voldemort taunted as he poked Hermione with his wand.
She looked back and glared at Voldemort, causing him to laugh. "I like this one. Feisty. A mudblood but definitely pleasant to the eyes." He touched Hermione's cheek with his wiry fingers, making her recoil from him.
"Don't touch her!" Harry shouted, his heart pounding as he thought of ways to get Hermione out of this monster's clutches.
"You've already enjoyed her. Isn't it only polite to share?" Voldemort jeered and Harry knew he was baiting him, making him lose focus and control.
"You're a foul and evil creature and someone like you has no right to touch her!" Harry growled. He was just a few feet away from the pair. All he needed was an opening so he could get a clean shot at the dark wizard.
"And you do? You think she will ever love you when she finds out how many people you have killed? And how about the people who have died because of you? Does she know how much blood is on your hands?" The dark wizard continued his torment of Harry.
Harry's heart faltered as he looked at Hermione, wide-eyed staring back at him. He silently asked for her understanding.
He looked back at Voldemort, hatred clear in his green eyes. "I did what was necessary! And I will end you before you touch another hair on Hermione's head," he answered. He now had the opening to fire a spell directly at Voldemort. All he needed was the right timing.
"This is getting boring," Voldemort rolled his eyes. "Say goodbye to your little mudblood, Potter. Avada Kedavra!"
Hermione began shouting. "Harry, I-" Then her lifeless body fell on the forest floor, the amber-colored eyes he loved were open but glassy and unseeing. Her face, once full of life, was now pale and expressionless. Her rosy lips were open and gray.
"No!" Harry screamed as he pointed his wand at Voldemort but was met but a sickly green light.
"No!"
Harry woke with a start, sitting up in a rush and looked around wildly. His eyes got used to the darkness surrounding him and he finally recognized where he was. He was in his room, in his home, behind wards that kept his enemies out and kept his family safe.
His family.
A warm hand touched his shoulder, calming the torrent of emotions inside him, and he looked towards the owner of that hand. Hermione's wide eyes looked at him with so much worry that it caught his breath.
"Harry? What's wrong?" She asked, her voice still rough with sleep.
Harry shook his head. "Nothing. It was… nothing."
Hermione had a doubtful look on her face as she stared at him. He avoided her eyes and stood up. He quickly put on his pants and grabbed a shirt from one of the drawers.
"I'll just go down and get a glass of water," he told her. He didn't wait for her to respond as he hurriedly left the room.
Thankfully, the children weren't disturbed by his outburst. He went to the kitchen and took out a glass from one of the cupboards. He filled it with water and drank it all in one go. He filled the glass again but did not drink it this time, as he stared out of the windows directly above the kitchen sink.
It wasn't the first time he'd had a nightmare about Voldemort. He had them since he was a teenager, but it had been a rare occasion in the more recent years. It was the first time he had one with Hermione. He didn't know what triggered the dream and he hoped it wasn't a sign of any disaster happening soon. The thought of losing Hermione hurt him immensely. He wouldn't just feel loss and grief, he knew it would be akin to losing a big part of himself. If he was smart, he would end his relationship with Hermione before anything bad could happen to her and Ethan. But he had learned in the recent months of being with her, that he was also selfish when it came to her. For years, he had given up his happiness for other people. He thought that maybe it was time he finally had what he wanted.
He was so deeply lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear Hermione arrive in the kitchen. He jumped slightly in surprise when she called out his name from the other side of the kitchen counter behind him.
"Harry?" Her voice was soft.
"Sorry, did you say something?" He asked, trying to act casually.
Hermione shook her head. "I was just calling your name. What happened up there, Harry?"
She still had that worried look on her beautiful face and all Harry wanted to do was take it away. Hermione went around the kitchen counter and stood in front of Harry. She cupped his face and Harry leaned into her touch by instinct. Her touch chased away the coldness that the nightmare had brought him.
He sighed and held the hand cupping his face. He gave her palm a kiss before speaking. "I had a nightmare about Voldemort."
Hermione's face grew more concerned. "Are you alright? Do you get nightmares about him a lot?"
"I have the occasional nightmare. I'm actually used to them by now but this time, it's different. I—" He faltered then looked away from Hermione, the dream playing clearly in his mind. He closed his eyes as he repeatedly saw the cursed green light hitting her then her lifeless body falling to the ground.
Hermione raised her other hand and tried to get Harry to face her again. He didn't even bother to resist her. He looked down at her golden-brown eyes and he drowned in the emotions swirling in them. Harry felt a sense of immense awe at the realization that the emotions in those expressive eyes were directed at him, that those feelings were for him. He couldn't help himself from leaning down and giving her a quick kiss.
"Stop distracting me, Harry," she teased.
He chuckled. "Sorry."
The mood turned somber again as they stared at each other's eyes.
"Tell me," Hermione whispered.
Harry sighed in resignation, knowing how stubborn she could be, as he wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist. "It was the day when Voldemort and I had our last stand-off," he began. "It was in the Forbidden Forest. He and his Death Eaters sought to invade Hogwarts as it was the last stronghold for the resistance. Voldemort told me that he would cease the fighting and killing if I went to him alone. For the sake of everyone, I went out to him willingly."
Hermione's gasp of horror warmed his heart, in an odd sort of way. He continued. "He was in a clearing, waiting for me. Back then, his death eaters stood off around, watching, but in the dream they weren't there. Voldemort wasn't alone, though. He—" He struggled to continue.
"It's okay, Harry—"
He shook his head violently. "No, it's not okay! Because you were there! He—he held you hostage, at wand-point." He moved out of Hermione's arms and faced the sink. He leaned on his hands and stared out of the window again, eyes undiscerning, as he recalled his nightmare.
"He said that y—no one would love me because of the blood on my hands, because of the people I've killed and the people I failed to save." He couldn't keep the tremble out of his voice as he recalled Voldemort's words to him and the numerous faceless death eaters he had fought against and the people who fought with them. He did not regret his actions because it was either us or them. He had studied and trained to fight, to survive, because he had to. While he wished he could have saved everyone, he had time to accept that And the idea that Hermione would turn her back on him because of it shook him to the core.
Harry felt a hand wrap around his arm and pulled him gently. He looked down and Hermione stood beside him. There was a gleam of determination in her eyes that somehow eased some of his fears.
"Harry, you were dealt a bad hand as a child and you had no choice in the matter. You did what you had to in order to survive a madman and his minions," she said. "And those people you were not able to save? You were fighting a war a teenager had no business fighting. You were meant to end an evil man, but it's not your job to save everyone else."
"Are you not bothered at all? That I have killed a man before? Several men and women, in fact," he asked incredulously.
"Did you kill them only because you wanted to? Did you feel joy in ending their lives?" She returned.
"No, of course not!"
"Then I don't have a problem with it! If you didn't fight to live, if you didn't survive, you wouldn't be here! We wouldn't be here!" Hermione grabbed his face and made him look straight at her. There was indignation in her expression, as well as annoyance. "You ended a dark wizard who would not have been satisfied with England. Sooner or later, he would have spread his reign of terror to other countries, or to the whole world! What's the difference between you and a muggle soldier who fights to protect their country?"
Harry could only stare at the flushed-face of the woman in front of him. He was almost sure she would be revolted by the fact that his hands weren't clean. But not only did she not care about it, she just refuted his argument. It was one of the reasons why he did his best not to get attached to someone, because not everyone would be able to accept his dark past.
All he could do at that moment was stare at her in astonishment.
"Who you are now is more important than who you were before. You wouldn't be the man you are today if you didn't fight your way to live through the war," she continued as she placed a hand on his chest, where his heart was. "You are an amazing man, Harry. And I am grateful to have met you, to be a part of your life, to be right here—with you."
Harry felt his love grow for the brunette. He had never met anyone with a larger heart than her. He didn't know what to say so instead of speaking, he did what he had wanted to do since he saw her in the kitchen: he kissed her. All the emotion and love he felt fueled his kisses, turning them from tender to passionate. She matched his passion with hers, her tongue dancing with his while giving as good as she got. He wanted to tell her he loved her, that he had never loved anyone before her, and he would never love anyone as much as he loved her.
He was filled with so much love and desire and all he could think of was being inside her again. He backed her against the kitchen counter as his hands untied the dressing gown she was wearing. Her hands weren't idle as she lifted his shirt and dragged it off of him. When the robe fell from her shoulders, he broke the kiss and looked down her body, encased only in a pair of black knickers. The vision of her nearly naked form caused an intense heat to run through him.
She unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them off his hips. He didn't bother wearing boxers when he left his room earlier. He kicked off his jeans as he pushed her knickers down her legs. Once both of them were naked, Harry took her mouth again as if he couldn't live without her kisses. He ended the kiss then turned her around, both of them facing the counter.
Breathing heavily, he placed himself behind her as he kissed the sides and back of her neck. He grounded his erect cock on her bum, causing her to moan loudly. She gasped in surprise at the sound she made and slapped her hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet.
"You can be as loud as you want, love," the endearment falling easily from his mouth. "I warded the whole kitchen. No one's going to hear or see you when I take you right here, right now."
"Thank Merlin for that," she replied breathlessly before moaning again as he took hold of her breasts and played with them. He couldn't take it anymore so he pulled her hips away from the counter and bent her forward, slightly lifting her hips. He positioned himself at her entrance, swiping his erection along the slickness of her pussy.
"Harry…" she called out to him. "Stop teasing me."
"Yes, ma'am," was all he said before he pushed himself deep inside her. They simultaneously moaned at their joining and Harry thought there was no other place he would rather be. He moved inside her, savoring her warmth and the sounds she made as he made love to her.
"Oh, that feels so good. More, please," Hermione begged, and of course he would deliver. All he ever wanted to do was to keep making her happy and feel good. He felt his orgasm creeping up on him but he forced it down because he wanted to prolong their lovemaking. He couldn't help the groan he released as he felt her walls ripple around his cock.
"Just a little more. I'm almost there, Harry," she moaned as her hand reached behind her and held his hip. Harry thrust deeper and faster, wanting her to come before he did. He pounded into her and in no time she was screaming his name as she came. He came just a few thrusts after her. He leaned his arms on the kitchen counter, avoiding putting his weight on her as she collapsed on the counter's surface.
Hermione slowly turned around and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her, as well, then gave her a short but sweet kiss.
"Kitchen sex is now becoming one of my favorites, I think," Hermione said as the kiss ended.
"Any kind of sex with you is my favorite," he responded.
Hermione laughed and gave him a sly look. "Flattery, Mr. Potter."
"Just telling the truth."
"Sure, whatever," she said as she put on her knickers and picked up her robe. Hermione watched him as he put on his jeans but he had foregone his shirt.
"Are you okay now?" She asked him.
Harry gave her a big smile then kissed her forehead. "Never felt better."
He took her hand then led her out of the kitchen and went back to his bedroom.
Hermione watched Harry as he slept soundly. Last night was the first time she experienced Harry having a nightmare. She could never imagine the horrors he had seen during the war, and she would not have been surprised if he had post-traumatic stress disorder. It seemed like he had dealt with it prior to meeting her but there were still lingering signs of it, like his paranoia.
She couldn't believe that Harry thought himself unlovable because of what he did in order to survive a war he shouldn't have been involved in as a teenager. He was practically a child with a massive weight on his shoulders that even full-fledged adults would not have been able to deal with. If anything, she admired the hell out of him because he didn't just accept the hand that fate had dealt him with, but he did what he could to live through it. She didn't know what she would have done in his place, the burden of saving the whole British magical society—and by extension, the whole world!—on his shoulders when he was no more than a child.
She reached up and played with his bangs. She never really looked at the lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead before. It was pale and faded, and Harry styled his hair in a way that would hide it from view. She had noticed that when people talked to him, they would automatically look at his forehead, trying to take a peek at his world-famous scar. It never really occurred to her to look at his scar, because it was just that, a scar. A reminder of his parents' murder, of the early loss of his family.
To see Harry—confident, smart, witty, and caring Harry—weighed down by his insecurity that no one would love him, simply broke her heart. Hermione almost blurted out she loved him while he was telling her about the nightmare. She wanted to reassure him that he was loved, that despite their horrible pasts, love was there for them. She still wasn't sure about Harry's feelings for her but she was sure of hers for him. It was simply one truth that was inevitable, she realized. A truth that was signed and sealed from the moment she saw him at Puddlemere Stadium.
She continued to play with Harry's hair for a few moments more before Harry's breathing changed, indicating that he was waking up. Hermione had slept beside him often enough to know his quirks when sleeping and waking up in the morning. His arm, which was draped loosely around her waist, tightened, and pulled her towards him. Bright, green eyes slowly emerged from closed eyelids as he opened his eyes and looked at her directly. A lazy but content smile graced his lips before he leaned forward and gave her a kiss.
"Good morning," he greeted her after the kiss ended, his voice low and raspy from sleep.
"Morning." She dragged her hand from his chest upwards and wrapped it around his neck, her fingers played with the strands of his hair.
"How long have you been up?" He asked.
"Just a few minutes."
Harry looked back at the clock on his bedside table. "It's still early." He yawned before kissing her tenderly on her forehead.
"Go back to sleep, then," she said as she wrapped her arms around his chest.
"Nah, I'm good. I've had a good sleep."
Hermione smirked at him. "I bet you did."
"Minx." Harry chuckled and pecked her lightly on the nose.
"Thank you," he spoke softly as he stared at her eyes.
"What for?" Hermione whispered.
The clear adoration on his face that he was giving her was almost too much. It's so rare for a man to be this open about his feelings . Harry swept her hair from her face and cupped her cheek.
"For being here. For being you," he answered.
"Harry-"
"I love you."
Hermione froze and her eyes widened at his declaration. There were only a handful of times in her life where she had been rendered speechless. Her mouth was open in surprise and her heart was beating hard and loud in her chest, she had to wonder if Harry could hear it.
"You don't need to say it back now, you know," he spoke in a hurry, likely misunderstanding her silence. "I just wanted you to know. It was something I've been thinking about and have realized lately. It's probably not the best way to tell—"
Hermione woke up from whatever trance she sunk into while Harry was rambling. She shook her head slightly before crashing her lips to his, effectively silencing him. It took a few seconds before Harry caught on to what was happening and began kissing her back.
Hermione ended the kiss and slightly moved back so she could look at Harry. When Harry opened his eyes, she cupped his face and smiled at him.
"I love you, too, you silly man."
Hermione had always loved Harry's smile. But the smile that he gave her after she told him she loved him was one that she would never forget. It was filled with such unabashed happiness and love that it made her feel light and brimming with joy.
"You do? You really do?"
She could sense the tiny bit of doubt in Harry's voice which broke her heart. For a man as confident and easy-going as Harry, sometimes it was easy to forget about his history. The loveless and abusive childhood, the war he was forced to fight, his family and friends dying. With his fame and popularity, it was understandable that he was unsure when it came to people's sincere affection for him. She vowed to keep making this man feel loved and happy, just as much as he made her happy.
"I truly do, Harry." She pecked his lips lightly. "And you telling me this—right here, right now—was perfect. I wouldn't have had it any other way."
"Thank Merlin," Harry breathed then looked at her with a serious expression. "I have never felt this way about anyone before. I knew you were something special when I met you. Now I know why. I don't want to screw this up, Hermione."
Hermione caressed his cheek, swept her hand down his neck then stopped on his chest where she could feel his heart thundering, just like hers.
"Me, too," she replied. "It's unbelievable how much I feel for you in such a short time. It—it scares me sometimes."
"I feel the same way. But don't ever think you're alone in this. You and Ethan have me now, no matter what happens."
Hermione nodded after a beat. "Just as you and Teddy have Ethan and I."
Harry gave her the lightest and most tender kiss she had ever received, and it melted her heart more than all the other explosive and passionate kisses they had shared previously. She could feel his love and affection through that kiss and tears stung her eyes. Harry must have felt her tears as they fell because he pulled back and looked at her with so much concern that it brought more tears.
"What's wrong, love?" His voice filled with worry.
"Nothing. Oh God." Hermione shook her head and wiped the tears with both hands. "I'm so sorry. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is perfect. You are perfect."
"What are you talking about? You're the perfect one, not me, love," he retorted as he helped dry her tear-stained cheeks.
"I love it when you call me that." She gave him a watery smile.
"What? Love?"
"Yes."
"I love calling you that. Because that is what you are. My love," Harry said as he tightened his arms around her and pulled her to him, their naked forms pressing against each other.
"And you are mine."
Realizing you were in love, and finally accepting and admitting the fact, were two different things, Hermione had concluded. Every touch, every look, and every kiss they had shared the past week since she and Harry had admitted their feelings for each other had more in them. While some things didn't change much since that day, she noticed some things did. They would sit closer together, they would find themselves touching the other more, there was a certain… added tenderness to their interactions. Even their disagreements weren't as heated as they used to be. What was more significant was that they were more honest with each other. Maybe it was because they already knew each other's deepest secrets and fears, or maybe being in love with someone made you trust the other person explicitly.
Hermione wasn't entirely sure but she also wasn't about to question it. The happiness she had with Harry ever since meeting him seemed to only grow for the past months that they had been together. It wasn't just her happiness that had been elevated, but Ethan's as well. She could see the joy in Ethan's eyes and smile whenever Harry spent time with him and Teddy.
She knew Ethan needed a father figure in his life, even though she had tried to fill in both roles as she raised him on her own. It seemed he had found one in Harry and while their growing closeness still worried her, it also filled her with delight. She never knew such bliss was to be had when you finally found the right person. While their relationship was far from perfect, it was bloody well close to it.
As she walked into her office inside The Bookend, filled with ever-consuming thoughts of Harry-bleeding-Potter, she almost missed the screaming headlines of certain publications that were placed on top of her desk. She didn't know how they got there, but the how didn't matter more than what was written on them at the moment. Her heart stuttered as her trembling hands reached out to grab that week's edition of Witch Weekly and the latest issue of The Daily Prophet. She almost fainted as she read the printed bold texts:
Exclusive! Wimborne Wasps' Cho Chang, Pregnant with the Man-Who-Conquered's Child!
Hermione Granger: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
How the seemingly proper Ms. Granger's past wasn't proper after all!