Something More: Chapter 5: Kiss

After lunch, Hermione paid the bill, and she and Harry took a walk in a nearby park. They walked close to each other, their bodies touching to keep the warmth. To Hermione, this was a great feeling, and she wished Harry would pull her closer. To Harry, it was comforting, but it didn't mean much: having Hermione's body so close to his. They walked through the park holding hands, and Hermione was thinking: "We must look like a couple to an outsider, and I wish it were that way." Harry was thinking: This reminds me of when we visited my parent's grave, except it feels different. It feels... better than that."

As Harry and Hermione walked through the park, they talked of old times, old things that had happened to them. Whenever Harry brought up Cho, or a girl he had liked at Hogwarts, Hermione would blush, and roll her eyes. This made Harry feel suspicious. Something was going on.

But more importantly, Harry felt relieved. He didn't care if Hermione was acting strangely at that moment, because he was genuinely happy. He didn't care that Ginny had left him. It no longer mattered to him... at all. He was starting over and the pain he had felt just yesterday, was gone completely. He was over Ginny, and the world was good again. The world was where he belonged.

But how had it happened? What had changed? What had brought him back? Harry thought over it for a moment, and then it hit him. Hermione... Hermione had brought him back. She'd shown him... no, given him, a reason to live. But what was that reason? What had she shown him that had proved that? She'd shown him laughter... happiness... joy... beauty. Harry's final thought startled him, but when he looked at Hermione, and saw the deep brown color of her eyes, the smooth shape of her full lips, and the red-flush of her cheeks, he knew it was true. Beauty, Harry thought. Beauty.

Hermione had stopped in the middle of the pathway, and she frowned in uncertainty. Harry kept walking, thinking about Hermione's beauty, and had to backtrack to stand next to her. He turned towards her, and looked her in the eyes. He felt like he was falling into the depth of her deep, brown orbs, and he had a strange urge to pet her nose... or her lips. Whoa, Harry. Don't go that far. Hermione may be beautiful, but she's still just a friend.

But Harry still had the urge to reach out to Hermione. All thoughts of Ginny, and what they had had, zoomed through a void in the back of his mind, disappearing forever. He wanted someone new to be with, someone who would treat him right, and love him for who he was, forever.

Hermione blushed at their continued eye contact, and Harry found it so adorable. Stop it, Harry, he demanded himself. It's Hermione. Hermione. You're best friend Hermione, the one who will always be there for you. But that's just it. She'll never walk out on you. Because she's kind and beautiful and smart... and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I had a crush on... and Harry gulped at the thought... Hermione. And if she felt something too, we could be a couple.

Harry smiled at his revelation. Hermione Granger, dating the famous Harry Potter. Dating... Dating... Dating. But as Harry thought about dating Hermione, he couldn't help but imagine more. A life together, a life of happiness.

"Harry? Are you all right?" Hermione asked.

Harry staggered for a moment, but then he smiled and in response, he pushed a hair back from Hermione's face. He tugged it slowly aside, smiling all the while, and Harry felt sparks at their touch. He also noticed, that when he had felt the sparks, Hermione had blushed at his touch.

That was what made up his mind. She obviously is feeling something for me, and I'm feeling for her. She brought me back to life, as I can see I did for her. And we've always loved each other; just... it was different when we were younger.

Harry leaned his face close to Hermione's, his hand still resting lightly by her ear. He moved his hand farther back her face, until he could grab her neck. Harry tilted her neck up, so that their noses touched. He took a deep breath of air, and slowly, carefully, pressed his lips softly against Hermione's.

As soon as his lips barely brushed against hers... he knew that it was love. True love, the kind that made you want to grow old with someone.

Their lips moved in slow synchronization. For a moment Hermione was still with shock. But when she understood, she responded to him. Hermione wound her arms around Harry's neck, pulling him closer to her. He rested his hands on her waist, and Hermione, who had seen it so many times in muggle movies, slowly popped her foot behind her.

They kissed for what felt like forever, but when it ended, they wished it hadn't. Hermione left her arms around Harry's neck, and lay her head on his chest, eyes closed. She took in the smell of his skin, and she immediately loved it. Harry placed his check on top of Hermione's head and smelled her hair. It smelled like strawberry shampoo and Harry loved it. He ran a hand along her curls, failing to smooth them down. He loved how tangled and impossible they were. It was Hermione; for it fit her perfect; and Harry loved Hermione.

They stood embracing each other, snow falling romantically around them, for a quarter of an hour, until Hermione began to shiver from the cold. Harry pulled his head up from the top of her head, and turned her around so that she faced away from him. He ran his hand along the side of her arms, hoping the friction would create heat. Hermione looked up into his eyes, and he kissed her lips, softly, carefully, and above all, amorously.

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Hermione smiled from behind Harry's kiss, and it made Harry laugh. He grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her down the path. "Where are we going?" Hermione asked. "Home," Harry replied.

Five feet down the path he pulled Hermione into another embrace, and turned on the spot, apparating back to his apartment.

He stopped on the threshold of his flat, and kissed Hermione's forehead. Then he lifted her off his feet, and carried her over the stoop, as if they were an old-fashioned, newly-married couple. He put her down on the couch, and kissed her again. Hermione responded enthusiastically, all the while thinking; this is how it's supposed to be. Me and Harry together, forever.

Hermione didn't want it to stop, but about five minutes after they began kissing; her lip gloss smeared, her hair sticking up from Harry's hands running through it, and her heart beating wildly; there was a knock on the door. Harry kept kissing her, but she pushed on Harry's chest. He pulled away and frowned, which made Hermione laugh. She leaned her forehead against his and when she tasted his breath, she almost kissed him again.

But Hermione heard laughter in the hall outside, and stood up to answer it. Harry grabbed a hold of her hand and followed her to the door. Hermione smoothed down her hair, and wiped her mouth, before opening the door.

Ron stood across the threshold, grinning happily, and Lavender Brown had her lips on his neck.

Hermione's arms dropped uselessly to her side and she stared in shock at the sight of her ex-boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend. Ron mirrored Hermione's expression, his chin dropped in shock at the sight of his best-friend holding the hand of his other ex-girlfriend. Lavender blushed and pulled slowly away from Ron's, a fake grin plastered on her face. She waved at Harry, who took a moment to respond, but finally waved back.

"Err... Come on in," Harry invited. Lavender was the first to step over the stoop, pulling Ron nervously behind her.

Harry paused for a moment, and then stood beside Hermione, whispering in her ear, "I love you. Can you handle this?"

A few days ago, Hermione would have been bawling at the sight of Ron with another girl, but now, it seemed to fit. He loves me. He loves me. Harry loves me, and I love him. He loves me. Hermione's heart pounded wildly. Harry kissed her cheek, completely oblivious of Lavender and Ron's eyes at his back.

"Really?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded and said, "From the moment I first touched my lips to yours. And forever more. Hermione turned to him and kissed him romantically on the lips. She could feel his heart pounding just as wildly as hers, and knew it was true. "I can do this," she said.

Harry smiled, and turned Hermione back into the room. He pulled her down to the couch next to him, and smiled at Ron. "So... How are... things?"

Ron smiled and pulled Lavender next to him, avoiding Hermione's eyes, at all costs. Hermione noticed, but she honestly couldn't care less. Lavender leaned her head on Ron's shoulder and smirked at Hermione. In response, Hermione smiled sweetly and put a slim hand on Harry's shoulder, as if saying, You can have my ex. I have someone new, someone better.

Ron replied, "Great. That is... if you're OK." He quickly glanced and Hermione, but didn't make eye contact. "I heard about Ginny. I hope... well...I can see that you're... well... you've meet someone else."

Harry smiled, and when he felt Hermione tense, he wrapped a protective arm around her waist.

"It's OK, Ron," said Hermione. "No hard feelings." She smiled at him, and forced him to look at her with her eyes. He looked in her eyes, and saw that she really was happy. He smiled genuinely for the first time during their awkward visit and said, "I'm sorry I left with such little warning. Well, and notice..."

"Seriously Ron, don't mention it," Hermione said, and she leaned her head against Harry's shoulder. They sat awkwardly, not saying anything, until Lavender broke the silence. "We really should be going, Won-Won. We're supposed to be at your house at 12."

Hermione laughed out loud at the sound of Lavender's pet name for Ron, that in sixth year, had made Hermione want to puke and cry all at once. When she saw Ron blush, she laughed even harder and pushed the end of a blue pillow in her mouth, to stifle her laughter. Harry couldn't help but laugh too, but he led Ron and Lavender to the door. He shook Ron's hand and kissed Lavender on the cheek.

"Keep in touch," he told Ron. Ron nodded and led Lavender down the hall. Harry closed the door loudly, and strode quickly to the couch. He pulled the pillow from Hermione's mouth, and threw it against a wall, not caring where it landed. He sat down on the couch, and pulled Hermione onto his lap. Hermione's heart beat wildly as Harry whispered in her ear, "I don't know how Ron gave you up." He licked the backside of her ear, and Hermione giggled.

She turned around to Harry and said, "I love you too."

Harry smiled and pushed Hermione's wild hair from around her face. He leaned in and left his lips centimeters from Hermione's. She closed her eyes, breathing heavily, and blushed when Harry whispered, "Come and get me."

Hermione smiled as she brushed her lips softly against Harry's and she knew she wanted to stay there. Forever.