For Sam (HP Slash Luv). A late (late) Secret Santa fic for last year. Uses elements of the song 'This Love' by Taylor Swift. Harry/Hermione.

Barbegazi: Golden Snitch Forum: Thestral: write about Harry Potter

Word Count: 1000

I never dreamed of this

preface

this love

She knows where to find him when she seeks his warm presence. He knows where to find her when he craves company. They're both often lonely. They find comfort in each other.

It has been this way for years now. They were both broken after the war, shells of their former selves. They found each other in that dark time, and brightened each other's worlds.

is alive,

It really begins two years after gentle touches and dancing around the subject of them. He makes the first move, his scarred hands caressing her flushed cheeks and pressing his lips to her own dark lips. It becomes serious, beautiful, fierce. If anyone got in the way of them, they will find out about it. They will be punished appropriately.

Their love almost seems to pulse through their veins, beating with intensity. It's strong. It's fresh. It's deadly. Anything could happen. Anything will happen. Anything has happened. It's a free game and they're the only winners.

back from the dead.

This is not the first time they've been together. In sixth-year, they tried out a relationship, but the war killed it. Their love does not die, however, and they are stronger than before now. It's no surprise when he pulls out the small diamond ring, and even less of a surprise that she says yes.

Marriage will make this stronger. Who knows what the future will hold?

now

Harry turns to his best man, fear in his green eyes. "What if she changes her mind?" he asks, sudden nerves pounding through his body.

Draco claps him on the shoulder lightly. "She would be mad to change her mind now," he says, loyal like he has been since the end of the war—when many people he loved (including Ron) died. "You're a dashing lad."

"No one says that anymore," Harry replies instantly, giving his friend a small smile. "You're a bit behind in time."

"You're a bit behind in time if you let pubescent worries like 'will she leave me?' bother you."

Harry rolls his eyes, feeling slightly cheered up, but cannot reply as Kingsley—the speaker for the wedding—says, "Positions, everybody."

The guests stood up, a sea of red hair standing out as the Weasleys seem to be the biggest crowd here. Then his thought stop whirling as his beauty walks down the aisle. She's dressed in a light shade that complements her skin, her normally-bushy hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Harry falls in love all over again.

Then the song is over, and Hermione is at his side. Harry grabs her hand, and she squeezes it softly. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Hermione Jean Granger, and Harry James Potter," Kingsley starts in his deep voice, his dark hands stretching out.

Wisps of white light fly out of his hands and wrap themselves around the couple, bringing the two together. The light twirls around, circling their arms, legs, torsos. It gradually turns gold, signifying that they are a perfect match. "Lovely," Kingsley says, snapping his fingers and banishing the wild magic. "Let's get on with the wedding, shall we?"

Harry and Hermione both nod, with his eyes glancing down to look where the light once was. "Repeat after me, Harry. 'I, Harry James Potter.'"

"I, Harry James Potter," he repeats, looking back into Hermione's warm brown eyes.

"'Take you, Hermione Jean Granger.'"

"Take you, Hermione Jean Granger."

"'To have and to hold from this day forth.'"

"To have and to hold from this day forth."

"'Until magic may take me.'"

"Until magic may take me."

Harry smiles at Hermione as she completes that speech as well, but with the names swapped around. "Now will be the exchange of rings."

Teddy, small at just four years old, almost races over to where they stood, the rings on a cushion held in his hand. His hair changes colours rapidly as he hands the rings over to Kingsley, and skips back to where Ginny is holding out a hand for him. Kingsley hands one of the rings to Harry, and Hermione hands a smooth hand to him. He holds it and slips the ring on her finger, saying, "I give you this ring to show my love for you."

Something seems to excite Hermione as it touches her finger. She smiles at him warmly, getting his ring off of Kingsley and grabbing his hand. "I give you this ring as an eternal message that I will always love you."

As soon as the ring touches his finger, he feels a rush of magic flow through him. He grins, as Kingsley says, "You may now kiss the bride."

It's only a gentle kiss (all of their friends are there, after all), but all of their love for each other flows through it. "I am glad to announce Mr and Mrs Harry and Hermione Potter."

They grab each others hands again before walking down the aisle. It's finally happened. They're married. And Harry is the happiest that he has ever been. He's with the love of his life, his best friend around the corner and most of the people he has ever loved around him. He is free from the war. He is free from the stress. He is just free in general.

And he loves it.

afterword

this love is good

They last a long time together as husband and wife. They have three happy, healthy children: James Sirius, Lily Luna and Rosalie Emma. They die together just as they live for each other: fighting for one another. They are struck down by a new force of evil, someone to rival the famous Lord Voldemort. They leave a new set of orphans to fight a war, but at least they will have each other. He will remain with them forever in their hearts, and she will stay in their minds.

Warmth and comfort greets them as they reach the afterlife, and they remain together for all eternity.

I imagined this differently when I started writing it. I just thought of the preface but then that was too short and then I needed to get to 1000 words so I had to do the afterword so it's basically three sections of bullcrap instead of two now. Hope you enjoy it anyways, Sam! Sorry that it's ten years too late!

~Buttercat.