Spring – Early May 1999. Harry sent Hermione a letter to meet up after five months. While waiting, Hermione reminisced the last time they met, and spending New Year in Australia together.

Chapter 2

Hermione was so deep in thoughts that she didn't notice his apparition. Harry studied the image in front of him with amused eyes. The tree was covered with colourful flowers, and she was sitting on a newly added swing below the tree. The wind blew, a flower dropped on her hair. Harry picked up the flower and roused her from her thoughts. She looked up and he saw that she was pink in the cheeks.

"Oh, Harry, you are here!" She stood up, and hugged him tightly. Gosh, he missed her so much.

"Hey, future valedictorian."

"Hey, newly minted Auror."

"Sorry that I was unable to write. The past few months was really crazy, sometimes I don't know where I was and what time it was."

"It's fine."

Both of them were quiet. It was the first time that they experienced awkward silence with each other.

"I…"

"Well…"

"Hey, I got something for you" She noticed that he was suddenly nervous "I saw this in Croatia and thought of you. Open it."

It was a box that was the size of her palm. She opened the case, and saw a dainty blue sapphire necklace. "This is too much…"

"It's not. This necklace has some really good protective charms. Humour me, wear it. I know you are able to take care of yourself, but I like to know you have additional protection."

Touched, Hermione ran her fingers over the necklace. "What makes you think of me?"

"Well, I heard from the seller that Sapphire symbolizes wisdom and virtue. I can't think of a better person to own this" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh, Harry!" she grabbed his hand.

Harry placed another hand on hers. Hermione was surprised to find his hands trembling. Before she managed to say anything, he started, "Listen. I…I don't know how to go about this. I hope our friendship will not be ruined by what I am going to say, but I have to say it, or I will regret for the rest of my life."

Harry took a deep breath, "You know how my goal had been to defeat Voldemort. I had never thought of life after that. I always thought I will die. Before the war, I was constantly angry at what I had to deal with and turn to anything that could help me temporarily forget about this terrible fate. After the war ended, it struck me that I no longer have a death sentence, I don't need to escape, I could have decades to live. But I don't know how to, I tried to think what I want with my life, I came up with nothing."

Hermione's heart ached for him and hug him tightly, giving him comfort the way she knows best.

He responded by circling his arms around her, and continued, "I went with the first offer given to me, to be trained as an Auror. It was the first time we were away from each other for so long, and I missed you badly. I came to see you once I have the opportunity last summer. When I saw you, I knew instantly what I want. The image of you in the Forest of Dean, saying that we should stay there and grow old came into my mind. I could see it, I love it. I want to live, to have a family, to grow old…with you. But I don't know what you think, and so I kept quiet."

He pulled away, looked into her stunned eyes and said softly "You know how I was pretty thick. The Auror training helped me to notice small things about us. Over the past months, I read what you wrote, I saw the way you looked at me, and I hope that my gut feel is not wrong, that all these meant you cared about me more than just friends as well. Would you… would you want to give us a chance? I want you in my future, would you want it too?"

He closed his eyes, his heart pounding so hard that he could hear the heartbeat in his ears. It did not help that Hermione was silent for a few moments.

Happiness bubbled in her chest. Despite being very touched by what he said, she can't help but being uncertain. "Harry… I'm… Are you sure about this? You know, I'm bossy, nerdy, argumentative, and I irritate the hell out of people."

His eyes shot open, he quickly said, "Your bossiness and nerdiness saved my life. You don't irritate me, and we eventually come around even if we don't agree with each other. I quite enjoy your company actually, if you hadn't realised."

"I don't cook."

Harry laughed "Are you trying to dissuade me? You know I can cook. And I promised you that I will cook in the future."

Hermione looked up, remembering the conversation last winter, and suddenly felt full of emotions, "Oh."

Harry cleared his throat "So… Us, OK?"

"…OK."

He laughed joyously. It was such a wonderful sound, but he rarely laughed like that. She was glad that she could make him feel so happy. Harry hugged her tightly and she laid her head on his shoulder.

[Few Years Later]

Autumn – Sep 200X. The tree in the middle of the field near Hogwarts.

A sound of apparition cracked through the quiet air.

Harry removed his hands from Hermione's eyes.

"Oh we are back at the Tree!"

"Yes. Happy birthday, my love." He kissed her temple.

"Thank you" She turned to hug him and lean her head on his shoulder, just like the time when he asked her to be his other half "thank you for planning a full day of event, bringing me to the places that matter to us."

She lifted her head and looked around, "I missed here. I was so lonely in the seventh year, your visits kept me sane. And then you confessed to me here, that changed my life forever."

"That changed my life forever too. Thank you for agreeing to be my better half. I don't know what to do if you reject me. Maybe just sulk, be a drunkard and avoid you forever?"

Laughing, Hermione said, "Thankfully you got me a necklace, that helped with your confession, you know? " she nudged his shoulder teasingly.

"So you were bought over by the necklace?" he nudged her back.

"Maaaaaybe..."

"that's good then"

"Why?"

"because the necklace has an accompanying piece."

"Oh, which is?"

"It comes with a ring. Apparently, a Sapphire engagement ring symbolizes faithfulness and sincerity."

Harry opened the ring box that had been in his pocket for the whole of the day, and went down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"

Author's Note:

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is my gift to the Harmony community. Special thanks to Facebook Group Harmony and Co members for all the introductions on good fanfic, I have read so many fantastic stories I had not read before over the past few months .