Author's note: You all know, it has been a while since I've posted. I kind of have to admit that I've missed it. And my ship sunk. Or rather, it had been sunk for some time and I chose to ignore it. Oh well. What you see now is a blatant disregard for the truth. I know they will never be together in the books, but I'm okay with that. It's all good, because they are together in my daydreams. So, I'm not sure whether anyone is still interested in this little (okay, extremely long) tale of mine, but for the sake of making sure, I'll post this. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE R&R!!! If you'd like me to continue, I need to hear about it!! Thanks!! Turice

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: LET'S BE US AGAIN

It was something Harry had been preparing all day. He'd skipped work, saying there was a personal emergency he had to attend to, and went step-by-step to set it up. Hermione's favorite meal, he hoped it was the same after so long, was in the oven, ready for the them, there was wine chilling in the refrigerator, and a small, white table set up on the balcony of her bedroom, overlooking the London city lights. It was set for just the two of them. There was scented candles and a luxurious bath waiting in the bathroom. Nobody but they would be in the house that night.

He'd set his heart to it this time. He was courting his wife again. He was going to make her fall in love with him once more, and this time, they wouldn't get separated. No. Matter. What.

She arrived back from work right on time. There was soft music coming from the stereo. A famous old-time country crooner was singing about crossing his heart, a favorite song of hers from her time in the States. The lights were dimmed. As she glanced down at her feet, she saw a trail of rose petals leading down the hall and up the stairs. Smiling to herself as she took off her coat, she followed the trail up the stairs and to her bedroom. Her comforter was coated in the same petals, as was the carpet surrounding it. The only light was coming from several candles set up around the room. A note on a paper the color of cream stood out against the deep red of the roses beckoned her. Picking it up, she read:

Hermione Honey

This isn't all. Follow the white petals into the bathroom, where you'll find even more. I'll meet you there.

"Harry," she chuckled softly. "You've gone mad." Putting the paper down and slipping out of her heels and nylons, she did follow the footpath to the bathroom. In there, once again there was only candlelight, warm vanilla sugar greeting her every sense as she opened the door. There were even candles floating in basins around the tub. Slowly shedding her dress and intimates, she slid into the bubble-topped water. Suddenly, she felt two hands start rubbing her shoulders, gently massaging away the stress of her day. The hands, who had so many times touched the same skin, were gentle and caring. Slowly and methodically, they released the anxiety built up in her muscles as they worked their way down. "Hermione, would you mind if I joined you?" a smooth voice whispered to her.

"Mm," she answered. As easily as he'd always moved, he slid in behind her, skin against skin, warm and soft. Grasping the flowing bath sponge from the rim beside them, he began to wash her chest with his arms around her, cheek rested against her chestnut hair. She leaned back against him, nestling into his chest like a child. He stopped washing and sat with her, just holding her and enjoying the feeling of having her back with him after so long.

"You know what, Harry?" Hermione finally spoke up after a while.

"What?"

"I am starving!" she giggled.

"Taken care of, whenever you feel like it."

"Really? Did you make it?"

"Yes, and I set the table out on your balcony."

"What did you make me?"

"What did you want?"

"Um, lemon lobster, a light pasta, a salad, and white wine."

"That's what I made you."

"Really, Harry? You remembered?"

"How could I forget?"

"You wouldn't mind if I wanted to eat now, would you? I don't want this to be ruined."

"I planned on it. Here, wait for just a minute, I'll go get your towel." He hopped out of the tub and went into the closet that was attached to the room. He emerged a moment later, a white fluffy towel wrapped around his waist and one in his hands for her.

"There you go," he said, handing it to her. "Put on what's on the bed. You'll look great in it. I'll be back in a bit." He left the room, taking Hermione's breath with him.

He's really pulled out all the stops on this one, she thought as she eyed the sexy, black strapless dress and diamond earrings and necklace he had set out for her. Slithering into the dress, she noticed that it fit her perfectly, especially around the breasts. I know those have changed since the last time he shopped for me. He snooped through my closet, didn't he? Oh, what a scoundrel!

"Hermione," he called from behind the door.

"Could you come in here and help me? I can't zip the back of my dress." He knew she could, but was pleased to be able to touch her again. He stepped inside the room and over to her beside the bed. "This fits you perfectly." he complimented as he zipped.

"Yeah, how did you know what sizes to get?" she asked innocently.

"Why bother asking a question you already know the answer to?"

"That's what I thought."

He spun her by the shoulders. "You look great, though." Taking her hand, he guided her to the balcony. "Dinner's out here." The door opened for them as they passed through. Hermione, puzzled, looked around for why. An aged house elf stood behind it, grinning maniacally at them.

"Hello, Ms. Black. It's so good to see you again. Dobby has missed you."

"Dobby? Oh, Dobby!" She rushed forward and embraced the elf. "How have you been?"

"Ms. Black is the same woman Dobby remembers. Still very much as kind as Master Harry." The elf was shaking with glee at the open affection the woman showed for him. "Oh, how Dobby cried when Ms. Black went away, how he grieved for her while she was gone!" The elf cried into Hermione's shoulder. "Dobby is so glad you're back!"

"I missed you, too, Dobby." Hermione said as she straightened. Harry had been watching his house elf with her, forcing himself not to flinch when Dobby addressed her as 'Ms. Black'. He didn't care if that was her name now. He still thought of her as Mrs. Potter. He didn't know Dobby had missed her, either. He hadn't owned him until about two years before. He really didn't own him even now. He gave Dobby a place to live, the clothes he wanted, a small wage, and didn't expect too much work out of him. He, too, just had an affection for the elf and enjoyed the company more than he enjoyed that of one of his other elves, Kreacher. Kreacher and Dobby shared a home with Harry, his children, and Dobby's wife-elf, Winky. They were all there at Remus and Hermione's at Harry's request, the obvious two out of the three more than willing to help, given they could see their mistress again.

Winky had lit the candles on the table as Harry waited to pull Hermione's seat out for her, smiling up at her master as she did. "Master is content, Winky can see." The elf winked at him, making him smile, and grabbed him around the waist in a rare show of fondness for him. Letting go, she slipped away towards Hermione where she hugged her, too.

Hermione finally made her way to the chair Harry held out for her. Before she took the seat, she moved into him, pulling him closer, playing with the starched collar of his shirt. He stood with his hands on her hips, smiling down on her as he watched. Just as their lips were uniting once again, they heard snickers from behind the door.

"Your house elves?" Hermione mumbled against him.

"They're yours, too, but yeah. Let's give them something to talk about." He dipped her low, kissing her passionately. Cheering could be heard from the small audience of elves. Hermione broke the kiss and laughed. "I'm still hungry, you know."

"Here. Let me take care of that." He came close to her face, and nibbled on her ear. "Your turn."

"Oh, Harry," she whimpered. "You're going to kill me. What is with this whole new romantic side of you?"

"You and I have both grown up since we were twenty. Things change. I think I like it better this way."

"Me, too." she confirmed, meeting his gaze dead-on. "I'm still hungry, though."

"Bon Appetite, Mademoiselle." He remarked as he once again held the chair out for her.

"Shouldn't it be 'Madam' by now?" she questioned

"That was supposed to be a compliment. Unless, you want to be 'Madam'?"

"What are you implying?" She hoped he wasn't yet implying what she thought he was.

"Nothing. Let's eat."

Stuffed full of a favorite meal she hadn't been made in a decade, and sick of realizing she was that old, Hermione sat across from Harry, at ease. He rested, twirling wine in a glass, unable to take his eyes off of her.

"Harry, answer me this, and answer truthfully. What did you really mean by what you said when you offered me my chair?" What he had said had been bugging Harry, too. He'd hoped she had forgotten, to no avail.

"What do you think I meant?"

"I don't know."

"Yes, you do."

"Why'd you say it?"

"Once again, why ask a question you already know the answer to?"

"Because, Harry, I have to hear you say it. I can't decide what I want you to have meant, and frankly, it's bothering the hell out of me. Say it." She'd risen from her chair, now supporting herself with her fists on the table. He remained seated, but stared up at her.

"I can't say it, Hermione." He looked down at the forgotten wine in his hand.

"Why not?" she demanded, furious.

"Because, for once, I'm the one who's afraid. I've gotten this far with you, and I'm scared that if I tell you what I want, you won't care, and all I've worked so hard for, wanted so desperately, with vanish as soon as the words leave my mouth. I can't tell you Hermione, I just can't."

"Damn it, Harry. I want to know. Tell me." Harry was motionless. "Fine! If you won't tell me, I will leave, so either way, all you wanted is gone!" She shouted as she yanked open the door and darted across her bedroom floor.

"Hermione, wait!" Harry hurdled past poor Winky, who was standing in the doorway.

"Hermione, wait, please." Score, she thought.

"Why do you want to know?" he questioned.

"Because I have to. Don't ask me why."

"What did you want me to say?"

"Now it's my turn not to answer." Searching her eyes for the answer, he was bombarded by a sweep of emotions which ended in a surge of tenderness. Taking a hand and tucking that one stray lock of hair behind her ear, he took a deep breath. He knelt on one knee and watched as her eyes welled with tears.

"Hermione, will you marry me?"

"Why bother asking a question you already know the answer to?" she asked as she smiled.

"Say it."

"Yes, Harry, I will marry you."

"Wait here." He jumped up and sprinted from the room.

"For what?" she asked meekly to his retreating back. He returned seconds later with a small, black velvet box in his hand.

"What's that?" Harry smirked at her when she asked. "Oh, don't say it, 'Why bother asking a question you already know the answer to', right?" she added.

Harry laughed. "Sure, but that's not what I was going to say."

"Fine, what were you going to say?"

"I bought this for you." He flipped open the top of the box. Hermione laid eyes on a white gold band, embedded with 8 quarter-carat square-cut diamonds. It was stunning, and very simple, just the way she liked it. Harry took her left hand and slipped the ring on. "It's beautiful." she murmured. "But what would you like me to do with the first one?" The first one was a single, one-carat square-cut diamond set in yellow gold.

"You still have it?"

"Yes."

Harry was silent, lost in thought. After a moment, he asked, "Can I have it?"

"Sure," she replied slowly. "What are you going to do with it?"

"I'll take it and recover the diamond and have the jeweler fashion it into another ring for a wedding set, then I'll take the gold and get Cecilia some cute little earrings. Sound like a plan?"

"Absolutely. I'll go get it for you." She made to leave the room, but was detained by him.

"That can wait." He grinned as he pulled her to him and fell back on the bed. "I have a better way to spend the night."

"So which of us is going to tell the kids?" Hermione asked on her way down.

"We'll talk about that later. Right now."

Please Remember to R&R!!! THANK YOU!!