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.
A/N: Sorry for the extreme wait in updating. Holidays got a bit in the way. Hope everyone had an amazing holiday or week, month, whatever ;) Anyways, the song for this chapter is Sam Tsui "We Found Love"… You'll know when to play it! Enjoy!
Harry burst into his home with Hermione on his tail. He climbed the staircase to the tiny boy's room with easy steps. The door to Teddy's room was ajar and he pushed it fully open and strolled to the boy's bed. Teddy was sniffling and clinging to the stuffed wolf Hermione had bought him. Harry walked right towards him and sat on the edge of the bed, pushing his turquoise hair off his forehead. A glean of sweat had gathered on his olive skin and Harry could feel the heat radiating off his body.
"How you feeling, buddy?" Harry asked.
Teddy sneezed and then his eyes drifted up to meet Harry's. "Not good," he sighed. "But I'm happy you're here now. Did I ruin your date?"
"Of course not. We moved the date here," Harry smiled softly and turned to Hermione who smiled back.
"Hi, Teddy. Hermione waved from her spot at the foot of the bed.
Another sneeze escaped his body. His hand rubbed beneath his nose as he muffled, "Hi 'Mione."
Harry moved to Teddy's feet and pulled the cover back to expose his tiny toes. His hands went about rubbing the boy's cold feet to bring the fever down from his head. He smiled up at his godson and turned to Andromeda. "Any idea what's wrong?"
"I think he just has a pretty bad cold. I called the doctor and he assumed the same. If his fever doesn't go down by the morning he said you could bring him in. Teddy just kept asking for you."
"I understand. I'm glad you called. Thank you for everything."
The woman nodded, gathering up her things. "Feel better, Teddy," Andromeda said as she leaned forward and kissed his forehead. She patted his head lightly before saying her goodbyes and leaving. Harry was still hard at work trying to move the fever as Hermione looked on.
"Do you have any herbal tea?" she asked.
"In the cupboard. Why are you thirsty?"
Hermione shook her head, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's for Teddy. I remember reading that they're really good with curing the common cold."
"Reading once again comes to the rescue," Harry winked. "I'll go get it."
But Hermione firmed her grip to keep Harry in place. "It's fine. Let me help. He needs you."
With that, she made her way out of the room and down the stairs. Harry listened to the descending sound of her footsteps until it all but disappeared. The only sound that remained in the room were Teddy's sneezes and his labored breath. It killed Harry to see him like this. The boy was practically his son. No, he was his son. Harry loved him with every fiber of his being. He knew he would do everything in his power to take care of him much like the way Sirius had protected him.
Feeling his feet warm up, he pulled the covers back over them. "Do you want me to bring the TV upstairs so you can relax?"
Teddy shook his head. "Can you read to me?"
"Your favorite?" Harry questioned in a knowing tone. He already walked over to the bookcase and pulled out The Tales of Beedle the Bard. He was flipping through its pages searching for Teddys favorite story when the tell-tale sound of a kettle howling echoed through the house. It was quickly quieted just as Harry found the correct page.
"Yes," Teddy got out just before he sneezed again. His voice sounded tired and worn as his cold took its toll on his body. He snuggled deeper underneath the confines of his comforter, still clutching to his wolf.
Harry made his way over to the side of the bed and wrapped an arm around his godson. Teddy placed his head on Harry's chest and let his eyes drift over the letters on the page. That was when Hermione appeared in the door, tea in hand and also a glass full of orange liquid. Harry arched his eyebrow in question and Hermione shrugged and stated, "It has electrolytes."
She handed the tea to Teddy and he inhaled the herbal steam emitting from it. With a happy sigh he took a tentative sip and settled back. His wolf was securely in his lap and his hands held the herbal tea. Hermione placed the glass in her hands on the nearby nightstand and settled onto the bed beside Teddy. She maneuvered her body so that she was facing them and eyes the book in Harry's hands.
"We all ready?" Harry questioned.
As he sipped at his tea, Teddy nodded. "Mm hmm!"
In a clear voice Harry began to read the story. He had practically memorized the words after reading it so many times. His voice spoke animatedly during dialogue trying to bring life to the characters. A smile ghosted Teddy's face as Harry read and during some parts he even nestled into Hermione's side. When he finished his tea, Hermione placed it on the nightstand and continued to listen on as Harry read.
As he neared the end, Harry stole peek at the turquoise-headed boy to see his eyes close as he drifted off to a peaceful sleep. A strand of hair fell over his eyes and Hermione carefully pushed it aside. Harry's voice drifted off as he stated the last line and then placed a single finger at his lips warning Hermione to stay quiet.
Carefully, the couple got off the bed, but not before they both placed a gentle kiss on Teddy's forehead. Hermione waited at the doorway as Harry tucked him in with his wolf and turned off the light. "Goodnight, Teddy."
"Goodnight," Hermione whispered as Harry began to shut the door.
He left it slightly open and then turned to Hermione, placing a gentle hand on her back and guiding her towards the staircase. With cautious steps they maneuvered down the old staircase and Harry led her towards the kitchen. "You hungry?" he asked.
Hermione twisted and placed her hands on his chest. "You were wonderful up there; the way you knew just what to do. I should've known you would be a great Dad."
A smile lifted the corners of Harry's mouth. "And why's that?"
Her eyes drifted down as Harry's hands went to her waist. "In a situation like that I would take something I read in a book or that was taught to me by a teacher, but you… you just acted on instinct and knew what to do."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Harry asked as he inched closer, his nose brushing against hers. Hermione nodded. "Andromeda was watching Little Women and when Beth had a fever the Mom rubbed her feet to bring the fever down."
A giggle escaped Hermione as she stared a Harry. "Harry Potter watches chick flicks?"
"It was on in the background!" Harry reasoned.
But Hermione arched her brow and challenged, "Then how did you know the character's name is Beth?" A blush crossed Harry's cheeks and she knew she had him. "That's what I thought."
She moved out of his arms to skip towards the barstool near the island. Just before she was out of reach, however, Harry slapped her butt eliciting a squeal from her. Her hands gripped her backside and stared daggers at him. But Harry just chuckled softly and went about making them something to eat.
"Totally uncalled for," she mumbled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Wine?" She nodded and Harry went to get two glasses and the wine. Hermione went about pouring them as Harry added the pasta into the boiling water. They talked casually about work and family as conversation flowed easily between them. After the day they just had, they were starved for food and craving a nap.
"Do you mind if I put on some music?" Hermione asked as she opened the cupboard for plates.
Harry shook his head. "Nope. Go ahead."
As Harry mixed the pasta in with some butter, Hermione strolled over to the radio. She chose a station she knew well that was known for playing Muggle music and a lot of covers of some hit songs. The radio host was discussing some hot topics as Harry placed the buttered pasta onto their dishes.
They sat down and ate in comfortable silence as music began to play. The beat of the song started off slow and began to rise in tempo as it continued. As it played Harry couldn't help but feel as if the song had been meant for them given the way things had started off. Images of the war, horcruxes and their moments passed through his mind like a slideshow creating his own personal music video.
Yellow diamonds in the light
Now we're standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
What it takes to come alive
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny
But I've gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
Shine a light through an open door
Love a life I will divide
Turn away 'cause I need you more
Feel the heartbeat in my mind
The only thing was: he wasn't letting her go now. He wanted Hermione by his side forever and always. He felt her eyes on him as she shifted in her seat. A part of him new that her mind too had drifted back to the night he had walked away from her. His heart clenched at the memory. While his mind had been in the right place, he knew what his actions had done to her.
"Hermione," Harry questioned, "where's your head at?"
"Hmm?" Hermione said as if he snapped her out of her thoughts. "Nothing. Just thinking."
Harry reached out and took her hand in his. He squeezed it and looked on as her eyes drifted up towards his. Her free hand was twirling pasta unthinkingly around her plate. This was one of the times where Hermione's thought process wasn't good. She was no doubt bringing up the pain he had inflicted on her that night in the tent and those emotions did him no good in the direction they were moving.
"You never asked me," he stated.
"Asked you what?"
Harry smiled nervously. "What I was about to tell you in the lake."
"What was it, Harry?"
With a heavy swallow, he stood and took both her hands in his. He stared into her eyes; willing her to feel the depth of his love. When her eyes remained unchanging, he knew he just had to suck it up and go through with it. "This isn't how I wanted to do this. I had an elaborate date planned filled with roses, candles and an old friend," he smirked remember the song that played while they had dance all those years ago. "But, I can't keep it to myself any longer." He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and then he spoke the speech he had been practicing since she came back into his life. "You once told me that I was afraid of love. And you were right."
"Harry," Hermione interrupted. "I was just angry."
But Harry continued, "No, you were right. I took the easy way out with Ginny because I was afraid of this. Of us. The way I feel with you, Hermione, its unlike anything I've ever felt. Being with you it's like coming home for me. I walked away from you because I was afraid that I couldn't protect you. I can't help but feel that need to put you first. Just like I can't help that I feel in love with you. Because I did. I was in love with you back then and I'm in love with you now. I love you, Hermione. It scares me a little bit but there it is."
Silence passed between them as Hermione stared at him with shocked tear-filled eyes. Her mouth was moving even though she had yet to respond to his confession. It was then that the sting of heartbreak struck through him. What if she didn't feel the same? What if his confession only further pushed her away from him? Finally, she turned away from him and whispered to no one particular, "Wow. There it is."
She looked towards him, her eyes immediately dropping to his lips, before she cradled his face and brought her lips to his. The moment their lips touch, fire sparked between them. Her hand went to the collar of his shirt and she grasped it as her tongue slipped between his lips. He still hadn't heard her response but this kiss was unlike any of the ones before them.
Finally, she pulled back and in a soft, knowing voice whispered, "I love you, too."
Then she leaned forward again and connected their lips once again. She moaned into his lips and pulled him closer as her fingers threaded through his hair and her tongue slid through his lips. Hermione was on her feet now and she began pushing him backwards until his back hit the wall. Her body was against his and he could feel every movement of her body. Cautiously, he asked, "Are you sure?"
With her bottom lip between her teeth, she nodded. "Yes."
Taking her hand, he led her up the stairs to his bedroom; only stopping to check on the peaceful snores of his godson. As he entered his room, he noticed her free hand had raveled its way around his arm and a blissful smile crossed her face. "You seem happy," he pointed out.
"I am. More than you know," she whispered. And then she was on him. Their tongues moved in unison as Harry led them to the bed, his fingers sliding beneath the fabric of her shirt and groaning as he made contact with her bare skin. His heart was beating fast as together they fell onto the bed. Instantly, Hermione lifted her arms and allowed Harry to pull her shirt over her head and untie the bows of her bikini. Her jean shorts and bottoms joined them soon after and she was once again naked before him.
The memory of her body did not do him justice for she was perfection. He looked at her with adoring eyes as his hands roamed her slid her hand down his chest and then pulled his t-shirt over his head. Then her nimble fingers quickly went to work undoing his jeans and helping him slid them off his legs. She grasped him in her palm and quickly worked him over before it was becoming too much and Harry needed to be inside her.
He poised himself at her entrance before thrusting inside her. They moved together as one with frantic heartbeats as she enveloped him over and over again. Her tongue lapped against his as he angled his hips just so in a way to hit her clit with each thrust. Their kisses became sloppy as she began moaning into his mouth and his thrusts became more erratic. Hermione began to shudder and he pushed even deeper inside her.
His senses felt heightened as she began pulsing around him, causing him to join her. She rocked against him, drawing her legs up to waists. They were tangled so tightly that it was hard to tell where he began and she ended. Finally, he collapsed on top of her and the room was filled with their labored breathing.
"Wow," Hermione gasped as her chest heaved beneath him.
"I know," Harry responded.
They remained quiet, with Harry still inside her, as they allowed their bodies to calm down. When they had, Hermione glanced over at him, a saucy glint in her eyes. "Let's do that again," she whispered as she moved to straddle him.
With her hovering above him, her breasts in clear view it was hard to deny her. And so he didn't.