Fury and hatred.

Hermione slipped her small hand into his as they turned on the spot and disappeared, they arrived in Hermione's garden as usual. The back door flew open, and Harry briefly saw Ron advancing on him before a large fist cracked into Harry's nose. Little white dots danced in front of his eyes, as Ron rained blows upon his face and body. From each savage blow a sickening crunch came, each one punctuated with Ron's fury.

"Roll with it. Take each blow. Don't fight back. It'll be worth the pain," said the little voice in Harry's head.

"Been having fun with my fucking girlfriend?" roared Ron. "I saw you. You fucking traitor!"

Hermione was almost in hysterics as she cast a shield charm, and Ron flew backwards off his feet.

"I'm going to get you out of here, Harry," whispered Hermione.

She gripped his hand, and they disapparated, and arrived on the top step of Grimmauld Place.

Hermione led Harry up the stairs and into the sitting room. She sat him down and examined him. Harry winced as she touched his chest.

"Merlin's beard, Harry. You're a mess," murmured Hermione. "What the fuck was he thinking?"

She drew her wand and moved it slowly over his wounds and muttered under her breath.

"Yes... this is good..." said the voice.

Harry stood, and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He shuddered. He was a mess, his lip was split, nose felt like it was broken, and his eye was swelling as he watched.

"Kreacher?" called Hermione softly.

The elf sidled into the sitting room and bowed.

"Madam Granger," he croaked.

"Do you have any essence of dittany?"

"Yes, Mistress."

The elf clicked his fingers, and a small bottle appeared on the mantelpiece.

"Thank you Kreacher."

The elf bowed again, and slowly left the room.

Hermione picked up the bottle, and worked her magic. She fixed his nose, and wiped away the blood. The dittany helped soothe his wounds, and he felt the skin tighten and heal. Hermione pulled Harry into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," whispered Hermione in his ear. "It's not the first time he's 'defended my honour'. He once punched this guy in the Leaky, just for looking at me."

"Its fine, Hermione. I probably deserved it. What's he going to say when he finds out I bought you an 89 galleon dress?" replied Harry.

"I don't know, Harry. I don't think I'm going to tell him," she said. "I'm going to go home, get some things and come back, and stay here tonight."

"You sure, Hermione? I don't want you going back there if Ron's so angry," said Harry.

"I'm not bothered by Ron. He wouldn't lay a wand on me."

Hermione left the sitting room, and Harry sat back in his armchair, wincing as he did. Was this worth it?

"Yes..."

Kreacher brought up a coffee for Harry, and he lit a cigarette. He slowly exhaled and held his ribs as he did. Hermione entered the sitting room a little later, with a weekend bag over her shoulder.

"Has he calmed down?" asked Harry.

"He wasn't there, Harry. He'd just about wrecked the kitchen though."

Harry grimaced and extinguished the cigarette. "I'm sorry Hermione. This is my all my fault. I know Ron gets jealous, and I still spent the whole day with you."

"No, Harry, it's alright. He doesn't own me. I'll give him a few days to cool off, and he'll be fine."

Hermione hugged Harry, and he again breathed in that sweet scent. Harry wanted to grab her then and there, to kiss her, and hold her. He fought the impulse again, and took a deep breath. She was intoxicating but he released her, and held his ribs.

Kreacher opened the sitting room, and bowed.

"Dinner is served in the dining room," he croaked.

The next couple of days flew by, as if in a dream. Harry felt he could barely contain his joy at spending all this time with Hermione. They ate together, laughed and joked. Harry couldn't have been happier. They'd eaten dinner, and Ron's owl flew in from the open window, and Harry untied the note.

Harry,

I'm so sorry about what I did, I completely over-reacted. I don't think I've ever felt so bad. I've been under a lot of pressure at work, and I just snapped. Please accept my apology, and come to Hermione's birthday party, at The Burrow.

Could you please ask Hermione to come home? I love her so much; I'm completely lost without her.

Ron

Harry passed the note over to Hermione, and she sighed.

"I'd better head home, Harry," she said. "I've really enjoyed spending time with you."

"Probably best to, Hermione," replied Harry.

"You will come to my party?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek, and hugged him tightly, before she walked down the stairs and disapparated. Harry slumped back into his armchair. It felt like the weight of the world had suddenly dropped onto his shoulders. He thought about the birthday party, and grimaced. He'd make sure neither Ron nor Hermione ever forgot it.

A few days later, Harry apparated into Diagon Alley, in the search for the perfect present for Hermione. He browsed a few of the jewellers without seeing anything, and wandered through the shops. He spotted small jewellers, tucked back from the main street, and headed for it, and almost collided with a tall blonde man.

"Watch where you're going, Potter," spat the young man.

"Out of my way, Malfoy," hissed Harry.

Malfoy pushed roughly past Harry muttering about 'Blood Traitors' under his breath. Harry desperately wanted to curse him, but couldn't in Diagon Alley, and not whilst his back was turned. Harry seethed with anger, before stepping into the small shop.

Harry browsed the shelves but couldn't see anything she'd like, before looking in the glass counter by the till. He spotted something; it glittered and caught his eye. There it was, the perfect present. He shuddered at the price tag, nearly 900 galleons, but it'd be worth it. The assistant wrapped the gift, and Harry slipped it into his jacket pocket.

In the few days before the party, Harry mostly stayed inside Grimmauld Place. He desperately wanted to see Hermione, maybe meet for lunch. He felt almost in pain without her, without that scent, her beauty. He'd sent a bouquet of roses over, and she'd sent him a thank you note, which Harry kept, neatly folded in his inside jacket pocket. Harry sighed again, and settled into his armchair, and grabbed a book from the large case. Harry occasionally enjoyed reading the old spell books, it was good to remember old spells, and Harry had found a chapter on memory charms. The book was old, and bound in faded and cracked black leather, another of the Black family books, and the chapter seemed a lot darker than anything he'd read at Hogwarts. Harry started reading, but was interrupted by the sitting room door creaking open; he marked the page, and looked up.

"Master Harry," muttered Kreacher. "Your dress-robes are ready."

"Thank you, Kreacher, that will be all for today."

Harry climbed the stairs to his bedroom, and checked his pocket watch. The party would be starting soon, so he pulled his clothes off, and put on his dress robes. He selected a dark green tie, and tied it with a wave of his wand. He checked his appearance in the mirror, and allowed himself a thin smile. The bruising on his face had all but disappeared, though he was left with a thin, pale scar around his left eye. Harry thanked Hermione in his mind for her quick wand-work, and use of dittany, it could have looked a lot worse.

Harry carefully placed Hermione's present inside his jacket pocket, and with a final swish of his wand produced a large bloom of beautiful dark red roses. He checked his appearance again, and made his way to the front door, and disapparated.

Harry smiled as he arrived in the untidy front driveway of The Burrow. So many happy memories here, the Weasley's were like family to him. Well, most of them. He could hear music from the back of the house, so made his way round to the large garden. Harry looked through the crowd of people and caught Hermione's eye, and grinned at her. She rushed over, and nearly bowled him over in a huge hug. He gave him a big kiss on the cheek, and Harry lifted her and spun her around.

"I'm so glad you came!" she squealed.

"I'm so glad you wore that dress, Hermione. You look absolutely gorgeous."

He was right, she did look fantastic. The dress hugged her in just the right places, and was just long enough to be sexy, without being slutty. The blue complimented her pale skin, and the heels made her legs look amazing.

"Shh!" giggled Hermione. "Don't let Ron hear you say that!"

"It's fine Hermione, he's distracted at the moment, Lavender is giving him a present," replied Harry. "These are for you, by the way."

He produced the roses from behind his back with a flourish, and Harry just noticed a pale flush on those beautiful cheeks.

"Yes...YES!" cried the little voice.

"Thank you, Harry. They're beautiful"

"They're for a beautiful witch," said Harry smoothly.

"Back it down, back it down, not too much. Smooth, not sleazy," said the little voice.

"Oh Harry," she said, blushing. "Come on, let's get you a drink."

She ushered him over to the kitchen, where most of the Weasley family were gathered. Mrs Weasley exclaimed, and pulled Harry into a tight hug. Ron gave him a friendly punch, and he shook hands with Mr Weasley and George. He avoided Ginny's gaze, but kissed her on the cheek.

"Now that everyone is here, I think it's time for presents!" called Ron.

He squeezed Hermione around the waist, and produced an oblong parcel, inexpertly wrapped. Hermione gently pulled off the paper to reveal 'Gilderoy Lockheart's Guide to Household Godliness'.

"Thank you, Ron," said Hermione, her voice just cracking slightly. "That's very sweet of you."

More presents were offered, mostly books, a couple of bottles of wine, and a year's subscription to 'Witch Weekly' from Ginny. Hermione took the presents in good grace, thanking each person. Harry removed the small box from his jacket, and presented it to Hermione. She slowly unwrapped it, and popped open the box, and her eyes filled with tears.

"Thank you, Harry," she said thickly. "It's beautiful."

"What is it?" called Ron. "Show us!"

Hermione held up the gift, and the room seemed to fall silent. It was a delicate necklace, with a rose pendant. It glittered, throwing off little pinpricks of light around the room. Hermione beamed up at Harry, he knew at once that she loved it. Ron helped her put it on; it looked perfect on the pale skin of her neck.

They offered Hermione a toast, and raised their glasses to her. Everyone cheered, and made their way back out to the garden. Harry took his drink to a quiet bench in the corner, and sat down. A few minutes later Hermione walked over, and sat next to him, putting her arm around his shoulders. Harry inhaled her delicious scent, and looked at her. The necklace looked really good, and Harry couldn't help but stare at her cleavage. Hermione noticed, and spoke.

"The necklace is too much, Harry. It must have cost you a fortune."

"You're my best friend, Hermione, and I wanted to get you something really special. "

Hermione examined the rose pendant and kissed Harry on the cheek.

"It's diamonds and moonstones on the necklace, and rubies and emeralds on the rose. It's very old, and Goblin made. The second I saw it, I knew I had to get it for you," said Harry.

"You shouldn't have, Harry. You should have got me a cookbook or something, like my Ron," she giggled.

"I just hope you like it."

"I love it. Thank you so much."

Harry's insides squirmed, and he resisted the temptation again to kiss her, to feel his lips on hers, to touch her, to taste her. He gave her hand a squeeze, and she stood up. That dress really did look great.

"Worth every knut," he thought.

"I'd better get back to the party," she said.

Hermione walked back across the garden to the waiting arms of Ron. Over her shoulder he shot Harry a dirty look, and took her hand, and led her inside. Harry sighed quietly, and he too rejoined the party, collecting a fresh scotch on the way. The party seemed to be going really well, plenty of drink was flowing, and there were shouts of laughter across the garden. Harry relaxed, and began to enjoy the party. He went inside to use the bathroom, as he was leaving he was roughly shoved against the wall.

"I know what you're doing Harry, and I don't like it." Ron's voice was rough and cold. "I sure as hell didn't go to a strip club by myself, and I certainly didn't chat up some whore. I don't know what you were thinking buying that necklace for Hermione, but I can say you're fucking lucky all my family were there."

Harry tensed, and Ron released him, as if he'd received an electric shock.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said simply as he walked away.

Harry exited through the kitchen, and caught sight of Hermione watching people dancing. He casually moved over, and whispered in her ear.

"I'm going to head home now, Hermione."

"Don't go, Harry," said Hermione hoarsely.

Harry studied her beautiful face. Her eyes were rather red, and her skin seemed paler than usual. Had she and Ron had another row?

"No, I'd better. Ron seems to think I'm up to something with you. He doesn't seem to think that we're just friends."

"Alright then Harry," she whispered. "I'll come over to Grimmauld Place for lunch this week."

"I look forward to that," said Harry smiling.

He kissed Hermione on the cheek, and hugged her. That scent! He turned, and walked out of the garden and disapparated back to Grimmauld Place.

A/N: I have used the exchange rate of 1 Galleon = £5.