It's a snow day guys! This means, I will make this chapter quite long. Hooray!!

Also, prepared for many short scenes at the beginning. Just bare with it, please.

Can I Keep You?

Chapter 4: Paradise

From the moment I met Harry PotterI knew he was special. He was so free-spirited and joyful. It was as if he had no problems what so ever. That's also how I felt when I was with him. He made me feel so happy when nothing else in the world could. His outlook on life was contagious. This was the reason that the week after our night at the fountain was absolutely the most perfect seven days of my life. We had spent almost every waking moment of those days together. He would arrive at my window every morning and I would quickly get dressed, give my parents an excuse about going to town or something, and then we would be off to do whatever we wanted. Harry and I went to restaurants, theaters and museums, but we had the most fun at the park. We visited the fountain often, though unlike the first time we came, we brought extra clothes.

Harry brought me to his daily band practices as well. His band met in the basement of his best friend, Ron Weasley's, house. On that Friday, I was sitting on one of the couches with Ron's sister, Ginny, and his girlfriend, Luna Lovegood. We sat casually, like we always did, and discussed random things, like plans for our lives, the weather, and how long Snape could wave his arms around before he got tired. Snape, the director, was a tall pale man with greasy black hair that fell to his shoulders. He always wore black and never smiled. Snape raised his hands and began to direct and the band followed suit.

In the first row were the saxophones. Ron's brother, Percy, a brunette girl named Katie Bell, and another girl named Angelina Johnson played the alto Saxes. Ron's father, Arthur, and another brother, Charlie, played tenor Saxes. Bill, the oldest Weasley son, played baritone sax. The next line consisted of the trombones, Fred and George Weasley, the twins, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan. The last row was the trumpets, played by Harry, Ron, and two men named Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Neville Longbottom, a slightly timid brunette, played the drum set, Cedric Diggory, a confident blonde, played lead electric guitar, and Oliver Wood, a more laid back guy, played bass guitar. Ron' mother, Molly, played the piano. The last four played off to the side of the rest of the band.

Snape stopped the band. "Ok, you've got that song down. Let's play 25 or 6 to 4. Start it, Wood."

Oliver began to pluck the strings, beginning the song. I loved this song. This was the song that was played at Mr. Riddle's party. The one with Harry's solo. I sat back against the cushions and watched Harry perform his solo. I smiled to myself as his glasses, once again, slid down his nose. He looked so cute when he was concentrating on his music. I love him…wait did I just think that? No. I can't love Harry. He's my dearest friend. Yes, just a friend. He's always been a friend, even when we ran around in the park and played in the fountain. Especially this week, he's been a true friend. When we would walk on the city's sidewalks and would casually take my hand to lead me along, giving me goose bumps. Then if we were around a lot of guys, he would hold me close to him. He was just being protective of me. He has no feelings for me and I don't have any for him.

I looked back in his direction and he smiled at me. His grin gave me shivers. That's when I came to the conclusion; I have fallen in love with Harry Potter and I've fallen hard.

H & H

A few hours, Snape stopped the band for a final time and announced, "Nice practice everyone. Our next performance will be tomorrow at the Granger Mansion right outside of town."

Everyone turned to look at me. Harry spoke, "Hermione, you didn't tell me your father was throwing a party this weekend."

I threw up my hands defensively. "Honestly I didn't know. He normally doesn't tell me about his parties until the day of them. I guess he assumes that I don't have a social life."

Fred piped up. "Your old man seems to be a bump on a log…"

"A stick in the sand…" His twin, George, added.

"Who expects poor Hermione to sit alone in her room…"

"Until her daddy comes and rescues her from her anti-social fate…"

I giggled. "That's about right."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Harry whispering to Snape and the band director looking uncertain. I'll ask him about it later.

H & H

I didn't get the opportunity to ask him because as soon as we left the Weasley house, I realized that I needed to get home before my parents wondered where I was. The excuse of "shopping" could only last me three or four hours that day and I had spent it all at Harry's practice. He walked me home until we were a block short of my house. He didn't want my parents to see him. He feared they wouldn't approve of him, which I agreed on. I found Harry perfect, but my parents wouldn't because Harry isn't wealthy and he didn't have plans to become so. He took my hand and kissed it like he always did when we parted. I hugged him tight, not wanting to let go. "Don't worry, Hermione", he whispered, "Someday, we won't have to hide."

I didn't know if he meant hiding our friendship from my parents or something else.

As soon as he said that, he dashed off, leaving me alone. It was a good thing too because soon after my father's car pulled up beside me. He rolled down the window and asked, "On your way home, Princess?"

"Yes, Father." I answered politely, like he expected me to.

"Well, get in. I don't want my daughter to walk the rest of the way home."

I hopped in the black car and whispered, "Thank you."

"I thought you said you were going shopping?" He noticed my lack of bags.

I quickly lied. "I did, but I didn't see anything that I wanted. Then I went to lunch at a café and walk in the park."

He nodded, and then changed the subject. "I'm throwing a party tomorrow."

"Really?" I tried sound surprised.

He perked up at my false excitement. "Yes, it's going to be bigger than Mr. Riddle's. You're allowed to bring a guest if you wish."

"I wouldn't know of whom to bring." I looked to the floor, knowing exactly who I wanted to bring with me.

"How about Draco Malfoy?"

I about gagged. That was the last person I wanted to accompany me. "Are you not already inviting the Malfoys?"

"I am, but I assumed that you would want Draco to come as your date."

"I'm not so sure about that Father."

"I know he can be quiet, but he's just shy. Remember how you two used to play together, Hermione?"

I sat there, wanting someone to crash into our car and kill me.

H & H

The next day, I stood in our vast ballroom beside my parents as they greeted the guests. The same old snobs slithered into our house, plastering the same old goody good mask on their face. I easily fell victim to boredom so I turned my gaze to the floor to see if there was anything interesting down there to look at. Of course, there wasn't, only the end of my long violet dress as it gracefully brushed the floor and my slick silver heels. I sighed and looked back towards the guests only to feel annoyance drench me as I spotted a trio of blondes approaching.

"Oh no." I thought as I scurried away from the ballroom door, trying to hide myself in the crowd. I was safe for a while, but then I felt a tap on my shoulder and cocky male voice. "Hello Hermione."

Draco Malfoy, hair slicked back with grease, casually stood with his hands in his pants pockets. "How are you, on this fine day?" He asked, trying to be smooth I guess.

"Just marvelous." I answered quickly, wanting to leave.

His wiggled his eyebrows and held out his hand to me. "Want to dance, Hermione?"

I had to force myself not to throw up. Draco was about to snatch my hand when a strong arm wrapped itself around my waist. A soft voice spoke politely, "I'm sorry, sir, but this woman is here with me tonight."

Looking up, a sigh of relief escaped me. "Please understand, sir, I wouldn't appreciate it if you danced with my date." Harry spat "sir" in Draco's face.

"Please, forgive me, sir." Draco hissed before creeping away.

As soon as the serpent left, I hugged my friend tightly, "Harry! What are you doing here?"

"Apparently, I'm rescuing you from a fate worse than death." He indicated Draco.

I giggled. "Really, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be playing with the band?"

"I decided to take a weekend off", he flashed a smile at me and my heart melted, "It took me a while to convince Snape, but I won in the end.

"Well, I'm glad you did."

My father approached the stage, "Hello everyone and welcome to the party! I hope everyone has a great time tonight…" he noticed me, still in Harry's arms, and his speech became much quicker, "Now presenting: Johnny Lighting and the Storm!"

He was at our side in two seconds. "Hermione", he spoke in the false politeness I was used to, "Who might this gentleman be?"

"This is Harry Potter", I quickly formed a lie in my head, "He attended school with me."

"Attended? So you longing attend school, Mr. Potter?" I silently cursed my father's pickiness of words.

Harry decided to take over. "I do, but not in Chicago. After the death of my parent's last year, my grandfather in London contacted me, telling me of the large inheritance my parent's had set aside for me incase something ever happened to them."

My father perked up as Harry continued to speak about his "wealth", "They left me a great deal of land, a massive house, and the entire Potter fortune."

"Were your parents always wealthy?" My father asked.

"Yes. Besides the treasure that has been passed down through the family, my father was a very successful doctor. But…" Harry stopped to make sure he had my father's complete attention, which he did. "My parents wanted to make sure I grew up modest and sincere so they hid the majority of our wealth from me, saving it in banks and bonds, and planned to tell me when they felt the time was right. Unfortunately, they didn't have the opportunity." Harry bowed his head in respect. I was trying not to laugh at his performance.

My father put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "They would have been proud of you, Mr. Potter."

Harry lifted his head and smiled. Father asked, "How long are you in town. Just for the summer?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I hope to see more of you, Mr. Potter. It has been a pleasure meeting you." He shook Harry's hand before making his way back towards the front door.

"The pleasure's all mine, sir!" Harry called after him.

Harry then looked at me. I couldn't help but laugh at him. "You are amazing. Do you realize that?"

"I've been told that a few times. By the way Hermione, I didn't get a chance to say this earlier, but you look beautiful." His eyes glowed as he gazed at me. They were so green…and gorgeous…and perfect. I've got it bad.

"Well, you look very handsome tonight, Mr. Potter." He really did. His jet black suit clung to him, making his figure look even more angelic, and his emerald bow tie and undershirt matched his dazzling eyes.

"Would you like to dance, Hermione?" Harry asked. This whole time, I hadn't noticed music had been playing.

I took his offered hand. "Yes, Harry, I would."

The song wasn't as fast as 25 or 6 to 4, but was catchy just the same. The drum set and bass started soft, with an alto sax playing a solo. It sounded like the solo was actually written to be verses. "Harry, why are there never any words to you songs?"

"Because no one in the band can sing." He chuckled "So we just make a solo to replace the words. Like in this song it's the…"

"Alto sax." I answered.

Harry smiled. "Exactly."

Sirius Black replaced the sax with a trumpet solo, one that I think is actually written in the music, and Harry and I started to dance. I wasn't much of a dancer, but with Harry leading me, I actually wasn't half bad. The tails on the back of his suit flapped against his legs as he moved faster. He swung me under his arm, making us look like a professional pair. You better believe we attracted attention. A lot of couples stopped to watch us and I tried to ignore them by watching Harry, which wasn't a hard thing to do. When the alto sax took control over the ensemble again, I noticed my dance partner was mumbling something to himself and when I would get close to him during a turn, I could catch a little of what he was saying. It went along with the sax and sounded something like, "Love is all that I can give to you." I assumed that it was the words to the song.

The song ended and they staring couples applauded for us, causing a flush to creep up my face. Harry, on the other hand, enjoyed it and bowed politely. He then hugged me affectionately and whispered, "Having fun?"

"More than you can ever imagine." I breathed back. That last song had taken my breath away.

A much slower song then started with a piano. "Shall we?" Harry flashed a brilliant smile in my direction.

"I don't know Harry. I'm a little tired." I really was.

"But, I like this song, Hermione." Harry used the puppy dog face, the one I could never say "no" to.

"Oh fine, but try not to swing me around too much Harry."

"I'll try to resist." I heard him chuckle to himself.

He gently grasped my palm into his as he placed his other hand on my waist and I rested my free hand on his shoulder blade. We stepped off in a similar motion, doing the typical waltz. A trombone joined the piano and a soft drum beat followed. This was the type of song you would imagine to hear while reading a fairytale. It was too smooth, too sweet to be a jazz song. Without realizing it, as if by a natural reflex, I danced closer and closer to Harry as the song progressed and soon found myself directly under his chin. I fit perfectly there, as if my head was meant to rest there. Forgetting the "proper" way to waltz that I had learned as a child, I laid my head on Harry's chest and wrapped my arms around his neck. Both of his hands made their way slowly to the small of my back and I smiled to myself. This is where I had always wanted to be and nowhere else could compare.

Through the top of my head, I felt vibrations come from Harry's throat; he was singing. I focused on his voice, trying to tune out the ensemble and heard, "So close to reaching that famous happy ending, almost believing this one's pretend." I don't know what he meant before, he had a beautiful voice "And now you're beside me and look how far we've come. So far, we are so close."

A tear slide down my cheek and landed on my angel's chest. Harry immediately felt it. "Hermione" he looked down at me with concern striking his gorgeous features "Are you alright?"

I tried to wipe the remaining tears but he saw them. "Why are you crying?"

"Harry…your voice is beautiful" I said honestly.

"It's not anything extraordinary." He looked away from me.

I reached my hand to his cheek and pushed his face towards mine so are eyes could meet. "It's the most wonderful sound I've ever heard."

"It's still nothing extraordinary, Hermione." I was started to become irritated. Why can't he just take the compliment?

"Then, what is extraordinary, Harry?" I snapped at him.

His face was mere inches from my own. "You are, Hermione." He whispered before filling the space between us by softly brushing his lips across mine. Chills went up my spine and my love for this boy overflowed. Instantly his eyes widen, as if realizing what he had just done.

"Oh my God, Hermione! I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking. I…" I silence him with my lips, bringing him closer to me. He didn't resist and held me closer, destroying any space between us. When we parted he whispered, "Hermione, I'm not good enough for you. You need someone who will take care of you; I can barely feed myself."

"I don't care Harry" I held his angelic face in my hands "I love you."

"I love you too Hermione, with all my heart, everything that I am, and everything that I ever hope to be." I kissed my little poet passionately, twirling his raven locks between my fingers. We parted when hoots and hollers could be heard from the direction of the band. I eyed Ron evilly as he whistled and yelled "Good job, Potter!" Harry flushed and wrapped his arms around me. We swayed back and worth for the rest of the song, smothered in the each other's love. I could hear Harry sing again; only this time he looked me in the eye when he did so. The last thing I heard before becoming completely engulfed in his green orbs was, "So close. So close and still so far."

H & H

Ok guys. I'm sorry it took so long.

Um…I'm trying not to ruin the happy fluffy chapter, but I just wanted to tell you guys this. A lot of things have happened since I've last posted, most of them not good. I've been sick the last few weeks and have missed a lot of school; therefore I'm behind in my work. I don't want to bum you guys out with the rest of my sad life, but let me just say it's been really stressful. But I just wanted you, the readers and, especially, the reviewers know that I really appreciate your reviews and just the fact that you guys like my story. It really means a lot to me. Thank you guys so much. There are many more chapters to come.

Thanks again guys. Truly I am grateful.

Also guys: the songs in the dance were L.O.V.E by Frank Sinatra (Love was made for and you) and So Close by Jon McLaughlin (So close to reaching that famous happy ening...etc)

Bye :)

Trumpet Fire