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.

It seemed like a millennium had gone by before Harry found his voice. "Uh…."

He didn't exactly know how to answer but at least the formulation of words had made its way through the millions of choices make its way through his brain. On the one hand, he could completely deny any sort of union between Hermione and him, but on the other, he was sick of the lying. This lie had ate up at him for years and for the sake of Hermione's happiness he had kept it abated, but now with her back in his life and the promise of a future together he couldn't continue down the road of secrecy. He wanted a new beginning not a rerun of their past.

"It's complicated."

"What does that mean?" Ron responded, his voice rising in anger with each syllable.

Harry took a deep sigh. "Hold on one second." He placed the receiver on the counter and helped Teddy get situated in the playroom. Once the sound of a familiar television sounded in the distance, Harry picked up the phone and warily continued his conversation. "We're seeing how things go."

"And when exactly we're you planning on telling me?"

"There's…" Harry paused, unsure of what to say. Did he confess their love affair that begun in a dungy old tent? "There's just a lot you don't know."

"Then fill me in." Ron sounded worn. "Has this been going on since before we got together, during, after?"

"Ron, for the sake of our friendship, please just give me time to explain. It's too in the moment to talk rationally right now. Remember the Tri-Wizard Tournament… the tent?"

"For someone so brave; you're a coward, Harry Potter."

With that, the line went silent and Harry was left holding the phone to his ear. He knew eventually things would come to this. Harry's actions weren't exactly in his favor. They seemed deceitful and loaded with betrayal, not very best friend-like. But Ron didn't understand the connection he had felt to Hermione and the sacrifices he had made to keep her happy.

With careful steps, so as not to disturb Teddy who was amidst in his shows, Harry grabbed the paper from the nearby chair. There on the front cover was a moving photo of Hermione and him kissing while in full laser tag gear. A picture of a grumbled Ron moved underneath. The headline read:

A New War Begins For Our Heroes: This Time Amongst Themselves

Harry's took a deep breath and dialed Hermione's number. At her sweet hello, he almost didn't tell her but in quick recession the following conversation tumbled out of his mouth in one quick rush. But she had made sense off all of it because soon her high pitched voice sounded on the other end. "How did he find out? What's going on? Did you talk to him?"

"Hermione. Relax."

He heard an audible breath before she calmly stated, "Start from the beginning."

"Our little distraction during our date seemed to gain attention of some photographers who were clever enough to send it to the Daily Prophet."

"Oh, dear," Hermione sighed. "I should talk to him."

"Give him some time," Harry pleaded. "I can handle it if he lashes out at me for my actions. But I got us into this mess; I should be the one to fix it."

"Harry, I played a part in our little secret, too."

The weight of her words nearly caused Harry to fall to his knees. No blame was evident in her tone and the realization that she might possibly have forgiven him almost had him disapparating to her house and enveloping her in his arms. But, for now, he had an issue to deal with; one that he wouldn't allow himself to walk away from. "It was a secret that I caused by an action I regret. Let Ron and I talk. If I make things worse you can do damage control."

"Oh, boys," she sighed.

Harry walked up the familiar flight of stairs, ignoring the looks he had gotten from each red-haired family member he passed. Mrs. Weasley was the one that rooted him in his place but she had nodded and simply breathed "he's upstairs," in a knowing tone. He had always thought of the kind woman as a second mother and to see that look in her loving eyes. In response, he had simply nodded and trotted up the stairs and knocked on the door.

Heavy footsteps made their way towards the wooden door before, light cracked through and revealed Ron's tired face. Upon seeing Harry, his features masked into one full of angry and distrust and he nearly shut the door on Harry. Luckily, Harry quickly wedged his foot in place and briskly opened the door, striding into the room.

"Look, I know I'm the last person that you want to see, but you need to hear me out."

Ron didn't even look towards him as he stated, "And why would that be?"

"We've been mates since first year."

A harsh laugh escaped Ron as he turned toward Harry. "Yeah, you would think that would earn me the right to hear this from you and not some bloody tabloid!" His pointed to his bed where Harry could see a moving photo.

Words escaped him. He couldn't deny the fact that he was in the wrong. There was nothing he could say or think up that would prove otherwise. Ron deserved the truth. It seemed that since the beginning, Hermione and he had always sheltered Ron from their secrets only to have it hurt him in the end. But now was the time to change all that. The past couldn't dictate their future any longer. They had fought a war together to rid the world of just that. His eyes searched the floor for something that could end the rising tension. And that it came to him. It was the very honesty he was going for.

So, in a low voice, he said, "I'm in love with her."

He waited a moment before he looked back up. When he did, he watched as an array of emotions washed over Ron's face. He was utterly speechless at Harry's confession. Harry was unsure of why it had come as such a shock. But then again those five words have had years to root themselves into him. It was part of his very being now. It was the reason he woke up in the morning and worked hard at his job. Even years later, he was protecting her. Only now he knew he could never again walk away from her. Whatever fear tried to separate them now would find him securely beside her. He only hoped now that she still felt the same.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness," he continued. "But, I need you to understand why I did the things I did. I let her go once before you two were open with your feelings. But, I can't… won't let her go again unless she asks me to. This wasn't something I planned in the aftermath of your breakup. I stepped aside because I knew you could make her happy. But, I wont deny her again… if she chooses to keep me in her life. I just hope that despite my selfishness we can keep you in our life too."

Silence passed between them as Harry awaited Ron's response. He was about to turn around and walk out just when he chose to finally speak. Ron's voice was barely a whisper as he took refuge on his bed, his eyes once again finding the grey scale photo lying beside him.

"I just need some time."

Harry nodded, knowing that he had truly done what he came to do. Ron deserved to know the truth. It was something he should've shared with him many years ago but was always too confused or worried to. With the hope of forgiveness between them, Harry turned and exited Ron's room and the Burrow.

Harry heard the knocking just as he had finished throwing his signature grey tee over his head. With a quick ruffle through his darkened locks he jogged down the flight of stairs and appeared breezily before Hermione. As he opened the door, he watched the smile widen on her face and it did nothing to help his gentlemanly ways as he stared on forgetting to invite her inside. Eventually, she shyly lifted her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear and Harry was broken from his revere.

"Come inside," He chuckled.

Hermione nodded, her light giggle echoing through the empty house. She twirled around once she had two feet firmly planted in the hallway. Harry looked on at her long toned legs that showed off perfectly from the short blue jean shorts she was wearing. She had on a flimsy sweater that clearly showed the pale blue bikini she was wearing underneath. On her shoulder was a beach tote but Harry was never one for fashion. All he could notice was the familiar pattern of a beach towel before his eyes once again found themselves mesmerizing the color of her skin.

He leaned forward, meant to press a chaste kiss on her cheek, when at the last moment she turned her head and firmly planted her lips on his. For a brief moment he was taken aback at her boldness. He had always been the one to initiate their kisses since this whole thing started but it seemed Hermione had finally begun to trust herself around him. She melted against him, allowing her body to mold into his. Then she pulled back, staring at him with an indescribable look in her eyes.

"Where did that come from?" Harry asked, a smile lifting the corners of his lips. His hands still held Hermione against him and he felt the rise and fall of her chest as he lost himself in her chocolate orbs.

Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Don't know."

"Stop the presses!" He mocked. "Hermione Granger doesn't know something!"

She laughed again before nipping his Adam's apple with her teeth. "Quiet, you!"

"Someone's abusive."

Hermione pushed away from him, as she giggled. Her tiny hand playfully slapped his arm before she shook her head. "Anyways… Ready to go?"

"As I'll ever be."

Her eyes drifted along his body and Harry lifted a questioning brow. Coyly she responded, "Do you remember the terms of our bet?"

"Is that your way of asking if I'm going," he paused for dramatic effect, "commando?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, her front teeth tugging at her bottom lip. "Well, are you?"

"Wanna check?" Harry winked at her.

Cautiously, Hermione reached out her hand and tugged on the belt loops of Harry's jeans. Her pointer finger lazily ghosted across the hem and quickly slipped down feeling the bareness of his skin. Harry was frozen at her brazen hands. The mood had changed drastically from their playful banter. Swimming was now the last thing on Harry's mind.

Carefully, Hermione removed her hand and in a breathy voice whispered, "Yeah, you're good." She held out her hand and challenged. "Ready to drop some trou, Potter?"

The lake appeared in front of them. In the moment it did, Hermione was already sprinting towards it, her laughter causing Harry to run after. As she ran, she dropped her bag and began stripping off her clothing. All that remained was a flimsy article of clothing somehow deemed a bikini. Gracefully, she swan dived into the water and rose from it elegant and beautiful. In a playful gesture she curled her finger at him and Harry realized it was now or never.

Slowly, he peeled off his shirt and watched as Hermione's eyes drifted to the patch of hair below his belly button. With a flick of his fingers, he eased open his fly and pushed off his jeans. Before Hermione could blink an eye he dashed into the water sending a wave of water to course in her direction. When he came up for air, two hands pushed at his head and caused him once again to submerge into the murky water. Harry quickly grabbed hold of her hips and lifted her out of the water, sending her flying into the air and back in the water a few feet away.

Hermione shrieked as she fell into the water. When she came up, she gasped for air and sought out Harry's arms. Her eyes blinked a few times before they finally stared at his face. Droplets of water rolled down her face as she reached up and touched his face. Her legs wrapped around him as her arms secured themselves around his neck.

"How beautiful," she whispered as she looked around her.

"I know." Harry responded, his eyes intent on her face.

A blushed crossed her cheeks as their lips met in the middle. They kissed in the water, not having a care in the world to his apparent lack of dress. This was just them enjoying a moment to just be. Harry made no motion to go further with her, though his need for her was very apparent.

When she pulled away, Harry lifted her out of the water and held her above him. Her body was bent so that her face still rested close to his own. A wicked smiled crossed his features as he said, "Hold your breath," and launched her across the water.

Hermione's shock-filled scream echoed through the forest before dying out just as she crashed into the water and went under. Frantically, she swam to the top and wiped her face. As soon as all traces of water were gone from her eyes, she sent glares towards Harry who casually shrugged. Then all bets were off. Using both hands, she splashed water in Harry's direction. The tiny wave all but drenched his face.

"You'll pay for that."

Hermione winked. "You'll have to catch me first."

Suddenly, she swam in the opposite direction in an attempt to get away from him. But Harry was too quick for her. He advanced on her as she squealed and splashed at him before he captured her in a vice-grip. In all her haste to run away from him, the string of her bikini loosened. Harry let his one hand release her and ghost up the skin of her arm. He kissed the tip of her shoulder and watched as her skin pebbled in response. The sight marveled him and he once again pressed his lips to the spot.

"Hermione," he whispered.

"Yeah, Harry."

His hand rubbed along her skin. "There's something I want to tell you."

"Hm?" She responded, lost in the feeling of his touch. "What is it?"

"I—"

But he was cut off as the screech of an owl came from the distance. Both heads turned as the owl dropped and a roll of parchment fell into Harry's awaiting hand. With Hermione no longer in his arms, and at work fixing her top, he unrolled it to see Andromeda's familiar scrawl.

Harry, dear,

Sorry to interrupt your date but Teddy isn't feeling well. He's developed quite a fever and is suffering from a terrible sneezing fit. Normally, I would have no problem handling it but he's asking for you. He's being adamant about it so I suggest you hurry.

Andromeda.

"What is it?" Hermione asked, eyeing the parchment with worried eyes.

"It's Teddy. We have to go."