A/N: Almost there, dears! Second to the last chapter. I would like to take this time to thank everyone for the love and support for this fic. It has been awesome. I'm hoping to see everyone again in my future stories (already have a new one in mind.) Anyway, I'll save the rest in the next chapter. LOL. Hope you enjoy this one! :heart:

Harry hated waiting.

It took a colossal effort to refrain himself from ringing Hermione again after his conversation with Ethan. He wanted to talk to her, even if she cursed him to hell and back, just so he could hear her voice. But he respected her need for time and space. He didn't think she dumped him just yet, though. He knew she would have told him if that was the case.

So he waited. But she didn't call him the day after he talked to Ethan, and she still didn't call him today. He refused to lose hope, but it did put him in a depressive state. Not the correct mood and mindset to be in when you have an upcoming important game. Still he arrived at the Puddlemere United Stadium bright and early. The sun was out and the skies were clear, as if mocking him for his dreary mood.

His teammates were in high spirits because once they won today's game, they would be moving forward to the semi-finals, propelling them closer to the League cup. And while his personal life was in turmoil, he couldn't let his team down.

He was the first to arrive at the stadium, having left his house quite early. The vastness of his house, along with the silence, pressed onto him and he just couldn't bear it. It seemed like every corner of his house had a memory of Hermione and Ethan attached to them, which only made him miss them more than he already did. When Teddy asked him if they were going to see Hermione and Ethan yesterday, something which had become their habit whenever Harry came back from out of town games, he didn't know what to tell him. The sadness in the boy's eyes nearly broke him in two when Harry told him that they wouldn't see Ethan and Hermione, as they were out of town for a few days. Their day was a little more somber than usual, both feeling the absence of the mother and son.

He didn't know how long he sat in front of his locker, staring into nothing—his mind on the brunette and her equally brunette son—when he heard the door to the locker room opened. He immediately looked up and did his best to tamp down the disappointment he felt when he saw that it was just Ron who entered the room.

"Well, don't look too disappointed," his best friend teased. Ron sat down beside him on the bench and bumped his shoulder with Harry.

"How are you holding up?" The red head inquired. Harry had told Ron about everything that had happened since he arrived home the other day. Ron had flooed to Harry's quite early in the morning, having just seen the newspaper headline and article. Ginny floo called him a few minutes after Ron arrived, asking him about the article in Witch Weekly and was ready to hex his arse, until he adamantly denied fathering anything.

If I was going to father anything, I know who I'm going to have it with, he internally mused but resolved never to mention that thought to anyone, especially Hermione.

He flooed his solicitor to discuss The Daily Prophet's breach of contract. His solicitor was only too eager to proceed with the sale and dissolution of the publication. Harry let the solicitor deal with the business of the newspaper, as he still had to deal with Witch Weekly. He didn't have a deal with the magazine like the one he had with The Daily Prophet so he decided to send them a strongly-worded statement, which was also going to be published in The Quibbler that day, denying Cho Chang's claim that he was the father of her unborn child. He also proceeded to call out all publications for printing lies as fact to boost sales, that it seemed like responsible journalism was dead. Should they continue to print lies about him, he would be forced to take drastic measures and it's not going to be pretty. No one wanted to piss off the Saviour of the bloody Wizarding World, though.

"Alright, I guess." He shrugged, staring at the closed lockers across from them.

"Have you spoken to Hermione?" Ron inquired as he looked at his best friend in concern.

Harry shook his head then closed his eyes as his heart ached at the thought of Hermione. He was physically, mentally, and emotionally consumed by how badly he needed to see her. Hear her and hold her close. He prayed to any higher power that listened that after all of what had happened, he and Hermione would still be together.

"She'll call you when she's ready, mate." Ron clapped him on the shoulder. "It's hard to see you like this, Harry, but I'm also happy for you."

Harry stared at him incredulously. "You're happy that I'm miserable?"

Ron rolled his eyes then narrowed his eyes at him. "No, you idiot. I meant I'm happy that you finally found someone to love."

"Let's both hope at the end of all this, I haven't lost her."

"Nah. I'm pretty sure she still loves you. It may not be easy to be Harry Potter's girlfriend but she's a tough one."

Before Harry could respond, the locker room door opened again. He looked up and instantly felt his blood boil, his magic emerged and rippled around him due to his heightened emotions.

Cho Chang walked towards him, a smug smile on her face. Harry and Ron stood at the same time as she approached. Cho stopped a couple of feet away from the two men when Harry spoke.

"You've got some nerve coming here!"

If Cho was affected by his raised and venomous tone, she didn't show it. Keeping the disgusting smug smile, she looked at Harry, then at Ron, then back at Harry.

"Hello to you, too," she greeted him, as if there was nothing wrong.

"Did you actually think anyone would believe your lies?" Harry challenged

"Lies?" Cho asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You and I both know I'm not the father of the child you're carrying. It's easy enough to prove paternity, that is if you're even pregnant, at all."

"It doesn't matter if anyone believed it or not. My plan worked. It got that tart away from you," Cho remarked, waving her hand dismissively.

Something clicked in Harry's mind. "Are you also the one responsible for the article in the Prophet?"

"Of course. I don't do things half-baked, Harry. I told her it was never going to work between you and her."

"You told her what?!" Ron bellowed.

"She's a nobody. You're not supposed to be with her and you shouldn't waste your time on her bastard son either, Harry," she said, ignoring Ron as if he never spoke.

"Don't you insult Ethan!" Harry roared. "Merlin help me, Cho. I never raise a hand to a woman but you're definitely pushing it."

Cho crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, Harry. It's bad enough that you're playing daddy to that werewolf brat, but you also had to play daddy for that little miscreant?"

"Teddy and Ethan have more smarts than you, I can tell you that," Harry murmured then laughed humorlessly. "And who am I supposed to be with? You?" His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, who else? Come on, Harry. Just forget that little incident last year. It was nothing. Let's start over."

"Un-fucking-believable," Ron muttered as he shook his head.

"You have clearly lost your mind if you think I'd ever get back with you." Harry pointed her finger at Cho. "And for your information, Hermione isn't a nobody because she is everything to me."

Harry walked towards Cho and stopped just a few steps in front of her. Towering over her, his eyes filled with contempt, he continued. "You're the one who's a nobody. You don't hold a bloody candle to her and you never will. You only wish you do. She's worth hundreds—no—thousands of you."

Cho paled and her eyes widened in surprise. "What—"

"I love her. And I love her son." Cho's jaw dropped at his declaration. "They're important to me and I can't lose them, especially not because of you. And that's something you will never understand because you love only yourself."

Harry walked back to Ron's side and both men looked at her with a mixture of disgust and loathing. "Get out! I never want to see you ever again. And if I see even a strand of your hair anywhere near my family again, you better hope I'm not there because you wouldn't want to see the man who ended Voldemort."

"Harry—"

"Get. Out." And everyone present knew he didn't mean just the room. Cho jumped, hastily turned around and quickly exited the room.

Harry was breathing heavily as he tried to control his anger and his magic. It took him a few minutes before he felt calm enough to speak.

"Well, that was eventful."

Ron nodded, eyes still fixed on the door. "That's one messed up in the head."

"You can say that again," Harry responded, dropping down heavily on the bench. Though suddenly feeling tired, they still had a game to focus on. Harry'd already done all he could to salvage the situation with the articles published, and he had spoken to Ethan about his feelings. The quaffle was in Hermione's possession now. He just wondered whether she was going to drop it or race towards the goal. All he could do was wait.

Hermione could hear the crowd's cheers as she and Ethan walked towards the stadium from the apparition point. She was nervous. Her hands were clammy and her heart was pounding in her chest. She didn't know how Harry would react to her being there after being gone for a few days.

"Hermione! You're finally here!" Someone called out to her as they approached the entrance.

She looked up and saw one of the Puddlemere United players' wives, Theresa George, jogging towards her and her son. "Hello, Theresa."

"Where were you? The game has been going on for an hour already!" Theresa grabbed her wrist then began pulling her and Ethan towards the lifts.

"Sorry, we got held up somewhere." Hermione explained vaguely. Hermione was about to say more but was halted by the sight of the last person she wanted or expected to see at the game.

Theresa and Ethan slowed down at the same time she did. She noticed how the other woman was glaring daggers at the person standing in front of them. Heart pounding in her chest, adrenaline pumping through her veins, she discreetly summoned her wand to her hand then turned to her companions.

"Theresa, you and Ethan go ahead. I'll deal with this," Hermione instructed the other.

"Are you sure?" Theresa asked her, not taking her eyes of the intruder. She took Ethan's hand in hers as Hermione nodded in response.

"Go with your Aunt Theresa, little man. I'll be along behind you in a bit," she told the young boy. Ethan looked at his mother with concern, he looked at the person blocking their way, then back up at Hermione.

"Mum—"

Hermione kissed him on the forehead then gently pushed him and Theresa forward. "Go, darling. I'll be fine. Go on."

The woman and child gave her a last look before hurrying to the lifts. Hermione watched them until she was sure they were safely tucked into one of the lifts.

"Well, you're braver than I thought you would be. Or stupider. Take your pick," Cho Chang spoke with contempt.

"I wonder which one of us is the stupid one. It would take more than a cruel and bitter witch like you to scare me away," Hermione retorted.

"I almost succeeded, didn't I? You left and you should have stayed away," the other woman said.

Hermione shook her head. "And leave you and your disgusting claws anywhere near my man? You had your chance with him, Cho, and you blew it spectacularly. Harry's not some toy that you can throw away when you're tired of it then pick it up again when you feel like playing with it!" Her ire for the other woman had reached it's all time high.

"And you think you're a better replacement? For me?" Cho taunted.

"I am no one's replacement, Cho. Harry loves me, not you. And he told me he never did. I would advise you to just accept it and move on."

"No! You ruined everything!"

It was a good thing Hermione never took her eyes away from Cho. Or else she would not have seen the moment Cho raised her wand and began casting. Her reflexes reacted and she immediately put up a shield charm to block whatever curse Cho was going to hurl at her.

"Protego!"

"Stupefy!"

Hermione cast just a moment earlier than Cho and it made all the difference. She watched as the red hex flew towards her and just as her shield came up, the hex bounced off it and was sent back to it's caster. Cho didn't have enough time to dodge the spell and was hit straight in the chest. She was propelled backwards a few feet before landing on the floor.

After she watched Cho hit the ground unconscious, only then did she notice that Theresa had come back down and was standing by the lifts.

They both looked at the unconscious woman before Hermione sent a messenger spell to the medics within the stadium.

"Are you alright, hun?" Theresa asked her as she approached Hermione.

"I'm fine," Hermione replied. And surprisingly, she truly was fine. While the confrontation was completely unexpected, it didn't rattle her as much as she thought it would. Cho was a threat to her, to her family's happiness, and she had to be dealt with sooner or later.

Theresa checked Hermione for any sign of injuries and nodded when she didn't find any. They both turned when they heard footsteps coming from within the stadium.

"What happened here?" A mediwitch asked as she looked down at the unconscious woman then to Hermione and Theresa.

"My friend was attacked by that woman," Theresa spoke up before Hermione did. Two of the mediwizards knelt on either side of Cho. One scanned her vitals while the other conjured a stretcher under her.

"This is Cho Chang!" One of the mediwizards exclaimed. "Didn't she say she was pregnant or something?" All three medics turned to look at Hermione with wide eyes. She shared a look with her companion before she spoke.

"Yes. And I'm Hermione Granger. I would appreciate it if you could check if she's alright and keep her unconscious until after the game. I don't want her to cause any more trouble around here for now. I'll be filing a formal complaint against her to the aurors soon."

The three medics shared a glance before one of them scanned Cho. They all waited in bated breath for the scan to finish.

"Well," the mediwizard that did the scan. "She's fine, no concussion that needed to be addressed. And also—"

"And?" The mediwitch prompted when the wizard paused. He cleared his throat before continuing.

"Well, I scanned her stomach, trying to see if her unborn child was fine after the altercation. And uh, there's—there's no fetus."

"So you mean she's not pregnant, at all?" The other mediwizard asked and got a nod.

"Bugger me," the mediwitch muttered.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Yes, well, now we all know she was lying in the papers. If you would be so kind as to accommodate my request? I have a game to catch."

"Oh, right!" The medics sprang to action and levitated Cho's stretcher.

"We'll have her in the infirmary for the time being. You can drop by there when the game is over."

"Thank you," Hermione said, the tension leaving her shoulders, letting her relax a bit.

Hermione and Therese watched them walk back into the stadium before heading towards the lifts.

Riding the lift up to the stands, she mentally went through all the things she should say to Harry and every possible scenario that could happen when they finally saw they saw each other. Hermione was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the ding of the lift, indicating they had reached their destination.

"Come on, hun," Theresa coaxed her out of the lift and led her to the VIP box.

"How's the game, so far?"

"It's alright. They're up by 30 but it's clear that Harry's a bit… distracted." Theresa glanced sideways at her, a gleam in her eyes. "Everyone who knows Harry could see it, you know."

Hermione couldn't keep the blush from creeping from her neck to her face. She also felt guilty for likely being one of the reasons why he was preoccupied during the game. While this was not the longest that Harry had not yet caught the snitch, it's definitely one of the rare times the game had lasted more than an hour when he was playing.

Hermione wondered if everyone had seen the articles the other day. They probably have, she thought miserably.

"You know we never believed a single word that Chang tart said in that article, right?" Theresa asked as if she read Hermione's mind. Without waiting for Hermione to respond, she continued. "Because we don't. Aside from the fact that it's not in Harry's nature to cheat, he would never ever do that to the woman he loves."

Hermione turned towards the other woman, her eyes wide in surprise. "You think so?"

Theresa smiled at her smugly. "Think what? He would never cheat or that he loves you? Everyone and their mother know that Harry has never looked quite so happy as he is now, and we know you and your little boy have something to do with it."

Before they entered the VIP box, Theresa held Hermione back for a moment.

"I could only guess what happened between you and Harry when that rubbish came out, but you gotta trust your heart. And you also have to trust Harry's. Everything's gonna be fine." Theresa didn't wait for Hermione's reply as she moved to her seat, waving at her to take the seat in front of her, where Ethan was watching and cheering.

… trust your heart. And you also have to trust Harry's, Theresa's words played in Hermione's mind as she took her seat. It was what she had decided to do upon leaving East Sussex earlier but it was nice to hear the idea reinforced.

Hermione decided to stop thinking and just focus on watching Harry fly. She could see what Therese was saying earlier, he was distracted. His reaction and reflexes were slower than usual, his eyes weren't as quick as before, and there was a certain tension to his shoulders.

She wished there was something she could do to help him but she could only stand there and watch, stuck in the stands. She prayed to any higher power that Harry snapped out of whatever funk he was in because they needed to win this game. All she could do was cheer him on, and she would cheer him on with all her heart.

She cupped her hands and shouted. "Go Harry!"

He wasn't having a good game.

He had chased the Snitch across the stadium only to lose sight of it again. He told himself earlier that he was going to leave his problems in the locker rooms and would only focus on the game. Sadly, that was easier said than done. It's like every few minutes, his mind would wander to thoughts of Hermione, wondering where she was, if she was alright, or if she was still angry at him. While the other team's Seeker was competent enough, Harry was still better than him even while being distracted.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts then carefully directed his broom up higher so he could begin looking for the Snitch again. As he hovered above the ongoing game, he felt a certain pull. He frowned at the sensation, his eyebrows drawing together for a second. He knew that sensation, instantly recognizing it. He only felt it when—

Harry frantically looked around the stands, looking for a familiar mane of curly brunette hair. He leaned forward and began flying around the stadium. The crowds began cheering loudly, probably assuming he had found the Snitch. His heart hammered away in his chest, as if it wanted to burst out of his chest, his breathing fast and heavy.

There! He immediately halted his broom mid-air, his eyes fixed on the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Hermione was there, jumping up and down, screaming who-knows-what at the top of her lungs. Just as he was about to direct his broom towards her, the Golden Snitch flew past him, heading downwards. For a split second, he was torn between going after the damn thing and going to Hermione. But he heard her voice even when everyone else was shouting, as well.

"Go Harry! Catch it and win!"

He gave her a quick nod before following where the Snitch had gone. The other Seeker was coming from the other side of the stadium and they both knew he wasn't going to make it. Harry flew down as fast as his broom could go, his arm outstretched and ready to catch the elusive flying ball.

He let out a breath of relief when he felt the cool metal and fluttering wings against his skin. He pulled the handle on his broom as hard as he could, changing directions just a few feet above the ground. He heard the crowd gasp collectively then erupt in cheers as he rose higher, the Golden Snitch in his raised hand. Before his teammates could congregate on him, he once again directed his boom towards the stand where Hermione was.

As he flew closer, he saw Hermione and Ethan running towards the edge of the box, wide smiles on their faces.

"You did it!" "You won!" Mother and son cheered simultaneously. They moved back a little when Harry moved to dismount his broom. He stood in front of Hermione, randomly thinking how she was half a foot shorter than he was. They stared at each other for what felt like a lifetime. All the noise from the crowd quieted, like they were far away from the bubble around Harry and Hermione.

"You're here," he said, wonder and elation clear in his voice.

"Of course, Harry. Where else would I be?"

Harry barely let her finish her sentence before he grabbed the back of her neck and drew her lips to his. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. He kissed her like he had never kissed her before, with all the bursting passion and longing he felt for her. The woman he loved. He never wanted to stop kissing her, never wanted to be away from her ever again. Their forced separation had been painful in every single way and he didn't want to experience that anytime soon, or even at all.

"Ahem!" A young voice faked cough, shattering Harry's thoughts about kissing Hermione nonstop.

He chuckled as he moved back, breaking the kiss. He couldn't help the smug smile from growing on his lips as he saw the dazed look on her face and her thoroughly-kissed lips. He didn't let go of Hermione's waist as he turned towards the boy who was sporting a disgusted look on his face.

"Sorry, little man. Just got a bit excited," he said unapologetically.

"Harumph! I know you're not sorry at all," Ethan returned as he crossed his arms, doing his best to look stern.

"No, I'm definitely not."

Hermione woke from her snog-induced daze and slapped Harry on the arm. She tried to glare at him but he could also see she was fighting the smile on her lips, lips that he wanted to taste again. Putting that thought out of his mind—for now—Harry let go of Hermione and knelt in front of Ethan. He opened his arms and didn't have to wait long before the little boy wrapped his own small arms around Harry's neck. Harry hugged Ethan tightly, his eyes closed as he savoured the moment.

"Thank you," he whispered.

A nod was all the response Harry got before Ethan straightened up and moved back from the hug. Harry gave him another smile before he stood up, as well.

"I'll just be over there with the other kids," the boy said before leaving the adults without waiting for a reply. Harry and Hermione chuckled at his antics and followed him with their eyes, making sure he was with the other kids in the box.

Harry once again wrapped his arms around Hermione, turning her to face him.

"Hi."

A soft smile took residence on her face. "Hello."

"I love you. I love you, Hermione. So, so much. And I'm sorry about Cho, about—" Hermione placed a finger on his lips to stop his rambling.

"I love you, too, Harry," she whispered. "And I'm sorry. I should have trusted you, your love. I shouldn't have left, I—"

Harry shook his head. "No, no. I completely understand. Those articles wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me. It's my fault."

"No, Harry." Her tone was gentle but firm. "It wasn't your fault. I—I didn't trust in you love, in us, enough. And that's my fault. You were as much a victim here as I was." She raised a hand and caressed his cheek tenderly.

Harry, instinctively, leaned into her touch, having craved it during her absence. He breathed in her intoxicating scent, something that was uniquely her. This was what he wanted for the rest of his life. He moved his head forward and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I never want to be without you again, Hermione. These past two days felt like a lifetime. Please don't do that again," he pleaded.

"I know. It was hard being away from you, too." She dragged her fingers softly, from his cheeks, to his jaw, and down his neck. "I'm sorry for being a coward, love. I won't run away again."

Harry shivered at her touch. And just like that, everything he had gone through during her absence these past two days melted away.

"I love you." He felt like he needed to tell her again. He decided he would tell her he loved her at least once everyday for the rest of his life.

"I love you, too," she replied and he could hear the happiness in her voice. And he knew, no matter what would come their way in the future, they would face it all together and they would always have each other.

As much as she wanted to stay in Harry's arms, she teased Harry that he smelled and needed to take a shower. Besides, they had things to settle before they were supposed to go out and celebrate their win earlier. They had spent an ample amount of time in the VIP box with the other players' families before they headed back down. They left Ethan with Theresa and the other kids, saying they would be following after.

Harry and Hermione, arms wrapped around each other's back, walked side by side along the corridor that led to the locker rooms, the corridor where their fateful meeting occurred months ago. It felt like a lifetime ago. Probably because we've been through a lot in such a short time, Hermione mused. Thankfully, it would seem that the interviews with the players and coach were already done so the corridor was empty.

"I need to tell you something," Hermione spoke when they stopped before the locker room door.

"What is it?"

"When I arrived, Cho was here."

"Bloody hell!" Harry cursed. "I told that blasted woman to leave! Did she do something to you? Are you hurt—" He started rambling, looking her over for signs of injuries, just like what Theresa had done earlier.

"Harry, love, I'm fine. We had an exchange of words and, well, spells but I'm alright. I'm not sure about her, though," Hermione explained, a victorious smile appeared on her lips.

"Really?" Harry asked, astounded.

"Hey, I told you I can take care of myself."

"Oh, I know. You've told me too many times," Harry teased before he grew serious again. "So what happened?"

Hermione told Harry about her earlier altercation with Cho and what they discovered when the mediwizards scanned her.

"Even if she was pregnant, you and I both know it's not mine. So that would have been easily resolved," Harry countered. "What now?"

"I asked the medics to keep her there until the game is over so she doesn't cause any more trouble." Hermione tapped her chin as she thought. "I do want to file a formal complaint about her, though."

Harry wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Of course, we will. After all the trouble she caused us, that's only the beginning of her comeuppance for being a deranged witch."

"Well, I can't completely blame her. I mean, you are a catch."

Harry scoffed. "Right. If there's anyone who's the perfect catch here, it's you, love. And I caught you."

Hermione shook her head and laughed, then buried her face on his chest. How she had missed being in his arms. They made her feel safe, cherished, loved. It was one of her favorite places on earth, and she was looking forward to being surrounded by Harry's arms and warmth for a long, long time.

"Ugh. You really need that shower, Potter."

"Whew. The kids are finally down," Hermione said as she stepped out of Teddy's room in Harry's home, closing the door behind her.

"Good. I don't know why that party after the game didn't wear out those two. I know it wiped me out," Harry replied before yawning.

Hermione stepped into Harry's space and put her hands on his chest. She gave him the most seductive look Harry had ever seen on her that it instantly caused heat to go through him, his cock reacting immediately. Hermione looked down and brushed a speck of imaginary dirt from his left pec.

"Does that mean you're already too tired?" She asked him with a tiny bit of pout.

Instead of answering, Harry grabbed the back of her head and pulled her to him. He kissed her with the same amount of passion and longing he had felt earlier at the stadium, leaving both of them breathless when they separated.

"Does that answer your question?" He returned before kissing her again. He grabbed the back of her thighs, hoisted her up, and walked towards the direction of the master bedroom. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses with the same intensity.

Harry kicked the door of his bedroom closed and deposited Hermione in the middle of his bed. Clothes began flying as the couple hastily removed them, needing to feel the other's skin next to theirs.

"Merlin, I missed you," Hermione whispered as Harry kissed a trail from her lips, down her neck and shoulders, to the swell of her breasts. He licked the skin around one breast and the other before taking one hardened bud in his mouth. The sensation he was causing as he tongued and lightly bit on her nipples caused her to arch and writhe against him while creating the most erotic sounds he had ever heard.

After giving her nipples ample attention, he returned to his trek down her delectable body. He kissed every patch of skin he could reach with his lips and tongue, and caressed those he couldn't. He finally reached the apex of her thighs but decided to shower her amazing legs with more of his attention.

"Harry, please…" Oh, he could never get enough of her begging. It's a rare moment to have such a strong and independent woman like Hermione begging you for something and he just wanted to fulfill every need and desire she had. He hooked the sides of her black, lacy knickers and dragged them down her legs. Before she could say anything else, he attached his mouth on her pussy lips, licking and sucking her essence like a thirsting man discovering water for the first time. Hermione moaned loudly, one hand grabbing his hair while the other clutched the sheets tightly.

He watched her as he licked her clit while inserting two fingers in her pussy. He doubled his efforts as he wanted to bring Hermione to completion by his mouth and fingers before finally being inside her. It took just a few more strokes before she cried out her release. Harry didn't relent his onslaught on her nether regions, trying to prolong her gratification.

Harry felt a slight tug on his hair. "Oh, Harry," she panted.

He moved upwards so she could look at him face to face. She looked at him with half-lidded eyes, her cheeks flushed red, and her hair sticking to her sweaty skin. She was a picture of satisfaction and Harry felt the immense pride of being the one to give her that.

Hermione swiped a finger on his chin to swipe some of her nectar off him and completely surprised him by putting the same finger in her mouth. Harry groaned at the sight and his erection grew harder. He couldn't believe he could be any harder than he already was but watching Hermione taste herself just amped his desire for this woman beneath him.

Harry wiped the rest of her juices before crashing his lips on hers. He nudged her knees wider and positioned himself between her legs, groaning when his cock touched her wet center. He rubbed himself on her wet slit, making them both moan. He ended the kiss and moved slightly away from her for a moment. Hermione must have wondered why he stopped because she opened her eyes and looked at him in concern. He gave her a soft smile before kissing her tenderly on her forehead, on the tip of her nose, both cheeks, and her chin.

"I love you, Hermione," he told her, conveying all his feelings of love.

"I love you, too," she answered, mirroring his emotions.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Hell, yes."

He didn't need to be told twice. Harry entered her steady and slow, savouring the feeling of being inside her again. As her warmth surrounded him, he thought again that he could do this with Hermione for the rest of his life.

Every time just keeps getting better, he thought silently as he sheathed himself to the hilt.

"So good," he muttered as he began moving inside her. "I missed you so much."

Harry wanted to prolong their lovemaking but he couldn't keep the slow pace anymore so he began fucking her harder, faster. Hermione moaned in agreement to the change of pace. Her moans were getting louder and her grip on his shoulder tightened.

"I won't last long, Harry," she told him, her breathing heavy.

"Let go, love. I'm right here."

And let go, she did. Her orgasm was so powerful that it pushed Harry over the edge, as well. He wasn't sure how long their orgasm took but when he couldn't come anymore, he dropped his whole body beside Hermione's.

"Wow," Hermione murmured as she stared at the ceiling, panting just as much as Harry was. "Maybe I should go away more often so that sex would be like that all time."

Harry hastily whipped his head towards her, a frown on his face. "Don't even think about it!"

She looked at him with a glint in her eyes and a teasing smile. "Of course, I'm only kidding."

She turned her whole body towards him, her expression sombre. "I—I hated being away from you, Harry. I hated every minute of it."

Harry turned to her, as well, raising his hand to cup her cheek. "Me too. Let's not let that happen again, alright? When you're having problems or someone causing you trouble, tell me. We'll work it out. We've done that so well before."

Hermione closed her eyes as she kissed his palm then rested her hand over his. "I know. I promise to tell you when something is bothering me."

Harry nodded then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him as he settled himself.

"Good. Now that I've caught you, I'm never letting you go."