Title: All This Time
Summary: Hermione and Harry share an intimate moment in the tent following Ron's absence. With Ron's return, however, Harry pushes Hermione away in an effort to save her heartbreak and she is forced to return to Ron. In the months following the war and with Harry's life no longer in danger, Harry is not willing to let Hermione slip through his fingers again. The question is: Can he win her back?
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.
Hermione opened the door and appeared before him in a pair of fitted jeans, converses and a pink floral tank. She was dressed way more casual than the last time he had seen her and yet his heart still managed to skip a beat. A smile crossed Harry's face as she kissed his cheek hello. After she locked her door, he led her to his car, smiling as he opened the door for her. Hermione returned his smile and climbed into his car, scanning it contents.
Once he was inside, she said, "Who would've thought you had your driver's license? Always thought flying was your go-to method of travel."
Harry chuckled. "Where were going we can't just fly or Apparate in." His voice dropped to a whisper despite there being no one around. "Too many Muggles."
"Where are we going?" Hermione asked.
"Surprise."
She puckered her lips, her eyes taking in Harry's t-shirt and jeans. He was dressed just a simply as her. When he had called to make plans for the week he told her to dress as comfortable as possible. This date required quite the activity level and he wanted her to be able to keep up. Though, he had a feeling, however, that even in six inch heels she'd be able to run with the best of them. "Well, it something that requires casual dress," Hermione pointed out.
"Good deductive reasoning. No wonder you graduated top of the class," Harry joked. He put the car into drive and maneuvered it through the narrow streets. The place wasn't far from her house and he knew the quiet drive would give them even more time to rebuild their relationship. Harry didn't know quite what to call her yet. He could never consider her as some girl he was casually dating. He was trying to build up their friendship but she had let him kiss her on occasion. Were they budding friends who casually kissed? Harry didn't like to think that way. As far as he was concerned, he was wooing his soul's eternal mate. But Hermione's view of their current relationship was something even Harry couldn't figure out.
They joked about her final year at Hogwarts. She had been the only one of the trio to return to school. Ron and Harry knew she would, of course. Learning was the one thing Hermione cherished. She truly was the brightest witch of her age. Seeing her face light up about the classes she took and the things she learned made Harry's heart swell with happiness.
Eventually they pulled up to the building and Harry watches Hermione's eyes bugged out. With a smile on her face she screamed, "Laser tag?"
Harry nodded, amused at her inner kid making an appearance right in front of him. He knew this would go over well with her. They had been robbed of so much because of Voldemort and that was why Harry was aiming for fun filled dates that brought out that fun side they had always had with each other. Even in the darkness, she had been his light. She pushed him through the darkest of trials and pulled him out of the toughest inner turmoil. Now he wanted to remind her that he could be that for her as well. Be that shoulder to cry on, a friend to talk to, a confident to confess her worries and fears. Harry wanted to be it all for her and he would, given the chance.
"Is this okay?" Harry asked.
"Okay?" Hermione asked, reaching over and squeezing his arm. "It's more than okay. It's perfect. My dad and I used to come here all the time."
"I remembered. You told me about it second year. You said Defense Against the Dark Arts should've had a field trip here to help the students have better aim."
Her face softened and a look of wonder crossed her face. "You remembered that?"
"Of course. I only tuned you out when you were lecturing about my studying habits." Harry sent a smile in her direction.
Playfully, she slapped his arm. "I knew you weren't listening!"
Harry exited the car and quickly jogged towards Hermione's side. He smoothly opened the door and took her hand, helping her out of the vehicle. At her touch, shivers danced to his spine, filling him with a sense of being. She was so right for him. His wildest imaginations couldn't hold a candle to the beautiful girl in front of him.
As she stepped out, she didn't release his hold on her. The smile brightened on Harry's face. He would never get used to her accepting him. The loss of her touch for four years had made him appreciate it even more now. Despite all the pain he had caused her, she was opening her heart up and letting him back in. Harry knew despite her forgiveness that he would spend the rest of his life making the past up to her.
They stepped into the crowded building and Harry placed a protective arm around her shoulder to shield her from the group of rowdy kids playing around with the fake guns. Laughter was all around them as children and adults their age lined up to enter the arena. Together they approached the counter and Harry paid for their tickets. A worker stepped towards them and guided them to the changing area where they could suit up.
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione stated as she pulled the vest over her head.
Harry fastened his clips to his vest after making it tight yet comfortable on his body. "Don't thank me yet."
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why's that?"
"Haven't you noticed, Miss Deductive Reasoning?" Harry lifted an eyebrow.
Hermione looked at his gear and then looked at her own before a competitive look took over her features. Harry was dressed in blue gear whereas Hermione's was all red. They were to be on opposing teams. Harry pretended to cock his gun as he smirked at her in challenge. But, Hermione wasn't backing down. "You're on, Potter."
"Care to make it interesting?"
"Winner chooses the next date," she stated.
"Tame," Harry chided. "And the loser?"
Mischief coated her eyes, sending them into an evil glint of brown. "Loser has to attend said date… commando."
Harry held out his hand. "Deal."
She shook it. "Deal."
Harry maneuvered his way through the various objects in the arena meant to obstruct the opponent view. Neon light flashed all around him, lighting up the darkness he found himself in. He ran with his gun pointed, ready to shoot any individual in a red vest. Since the game had started he had shot several but he had yet to make contact with the pretty woman he brought to this war zone.
A boy in a red vest ran through a tunnel and Harry was quick to shoot him right on his target placed on the center of his vest. More kids appeared, running as they shot at each other haphazardly. Searching the crowd, he still hadn't seen her and so carefully he made his way through the tunnel to another section of the large arena.
It was then that he felt someone moving behind his back. He turned around only to see no one. Before him was a bunch of piled up barrels portrayed as contaminated material. His back pressed against them as his gun search the room. Skin made contact with his shoulder and he turned his eyes to be met with Hermione's brown ones.
Her hair was now in a lazy ponytail and tendrils of hair hung loosely on the side of her face. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as labored breaths escaped her lips. Quickly, they faced each other with their guns ready to fire. Yet, neither of them made a move.
At least not the move that was expected.
Harry closed the distance between them and grabbed hold of the back of her head, crushing his mouth to hers. He devoured her. Letting his tongue sweep over her silky tongue, he walked her to a secluded corner of the arena where darkness clouded them. They lost themselves in each other as his hand wove itself into her hair. Harry needed her. And when she hiked her leg onto his hip, he knew she felt the same way. Her free hand clutched at his tee as sweet moans escaped her.
In his mind, Harry was damning the vests that kept their bodies from fully experiencing one another. More than once he stopped himself from tearing the fabric from their bodies and seeing if she may be in for some exhibitionism.
It was then that his vest vibrated, alerting Harry that he had been shot. Confused, he pulled away from her mouth to see her gun poised right at the target on his chest. She had toyed with him. Betrayal filled his features as she looked at him, her lip tucked beneath her teeth. "Looks like I win, Harry."
"Never took you for a cheater," he whispered. "You're always so 'by the rules'."
Hermione's hands traced the pattern on his vest. "I don't think I broke any rules. An opportunity presented itself and I took advantage of it."
"'Took advantage of' seems like the right term," he mocked.
Just then a sound came through the speakers as the lights turned on. They stepped out of the corner and Hermione laced her fingers through his as they walked out of the arena together. "I'll make it up to you. Eventually."
Harry sighed in an attempt to keep up his act. But with her fingers linked with his, it was hard to do anything but smile. So he was forced to accept defeat. "You better," he warned.
"I will," she whispered as they once again entered the crowded changing rooms.
They handed in their vest and guns. Hermione strode over to the mirror in an attempt to fix her haystack of a head. Harry smiled proudly at seeing her flustered. He had been the one to do that to her. Hermione turned and winked at him as she threw her hair up in a ponytail. She strode towards him and laced her arm through his.
"Next week seems so far away," she sighed as they walked out of the building.
Harry unlocked his car and opened it for her. He crossed his arms and leaned them on the door, his chin resting on them, as she got into the car. "It does. But at least you have a week to plan our next date."
She looked up at him. "Oh, I already have it planned."
"And what would that be?"
"We're going swimming."
"Swimming," he stated with a nod. Harry shut the door and made his way to the other side. And then it dawned on him. He quickly opened his door and got inside. "Swimming commando? As in, skinny dipping?"
She smiled wide as a giggle bubbled at her lips. "That's the idea."
"And you'll be…"
"Fully clothed, of course."
"Of course," he repeated, starting the car. He maneuvered out of his parking spot and soon they were once again on the road to her house. "And where will we be swimming?"
"I know just the place. I read about it in a book once."
Harry shook his head, a smile ghosting his face. "Should've known."
"How does Friday sound?" Hermione asked as they neared her house.
"Friday sounds perfect."
Once again, after walking her to her door, he leaned forward and kissed her. He let himself put everything he had into that kiss, ultimately leaving her breathless. When he was sure she was at the point of no return he pulled away and turned from her whispering words of goodbye.
"Harry Potter!" she panted, clearly still feeling the effects of his kiss.
"See you Friday!" he called out as he climbed into his car. His head turned towards her just in time to see her foot stomp on her doorstep. Laughing, he drove away, happy that he had got her back for her little trick shot earlier.
"P-I-Z-Z-A. I want pizza! Each and every day!"
Teddy sang and danced in his seat as Harry placed slices of pizza on each of their plates. The second the plate was in front of the boy, his hands went for the slice, taking a huge bite. Harry scolded him, softly, for taking such a big bite and Teddy swallowed, and shyly smiled. When he reached again it was a smaller bite and he went back to his dancing.
"Crazy kid," Harry shook his head.
"Do you not like pizza, Harry?"
Harry's eyes lifted from his own plate to the boys. "Of course I do. Who doesn't?"
"Victoire," Teddy answered, solemnly. He placed down his pizza and stared at it longingly.
"Trouble in paradise?" Harry asked with a playful glint in his eyes.
Teddy made a grossed out face, making sure to stick his tongue out for effort. "She's not my girlfriend!"
With his hands up in surrender, Harry answered. "Okay. Okay." He paused to take bite of his food. Harry smiled and placed a hand on his godson's. "Just because she doesn't like pizza doesn't mean you have to stop liking it. Friendship," he emphasized the word, not wanting to get a repeat reaction, "is all about someone liking you for yourself. Don't change what you like just because someone else doesn't like it."
"Be myself." Teddy repeated.
"Exactly."
Teddy raised his tiny arms in the air, his hands balled into fists. "'Cause I rock!"
The two of them laughed just as the house phone rang. Harry pushed back his chair and stood, making his way over to answer it. He picked up the receiver and said, "Hello?"
"Hiya, Harry," Ron's familiar voice stated.
"What's up, mate?"
"Just reading the paper."
Harry noticed something off about his longtime friend's voice but decided it was best to ignore it. The two of them had never been priers. If it mattered enough, Ron would come out and say it himself. Be as it were, Harry chose to continue the conversation and not point it out. "Yeah? Anything interesting."
Ron's mocking laugh sounded in Harry's ear. "You could say that. That's actually why I'm calling."
"What is it?" Harry asked, trepidation enveloping his tone. This was obviously what had been bothering Ron and so he waited with bated breath for the words to stumble out. And when they did, the phone nearly dropped out of Harry's hand.
"Is there something going on between you and Hermione?"