Hi Everyone... Welcome to Chapter 5 of my story. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the positive reviews I've received from all my fans. I really do appreciate it.

Enjoy.

Chapter 05

I pull the brush through my hair one last time and I squirt on my favorite perfume. I regard my reflection in the mirror and I smile. I look attractive even though I am still pale with dark circles around my eyes. At least my hair has a glossy sheen to it. I smooth my cream cashmere jersey over my hips and I make sure the sleeve covers the bandage on my left wrist. I certainly don't want anyone to ask too many questions. I eye myself one more time and I smile. My black jeans hug my hips and I can't help wondering what Harry will think…and Ron.

Scowling, I turn away. I don't like the way he tries to undress me with his eyes. It's so unbelievably uncomfortable and it is difficult to believe that up until a few months ago, I honestly thought he was the one, but when he ditched us, I realised I didn't want to get involved with him. I don't want to be involved with someone who will run when things get tough, because that is exactly what he did.

I exit the bedroom and slowly make my way towards the stairs, leading into the diningroom. Laughter and the sounds of chatter wafts up the stairs and I hesitate. I don't want to walk in there and everyone stops talking because of my presence. It would just feel awkward, but I am also hungry. I take a deep breath and tell myself to be courageous and I slowly descend the stairs. Freshly baked bread, eggs and bacon tantalises my senses causing my stomach to rumble in anticipation. I did not realise I was so famished. I can't even remember when last I ate a decent meal. During our search for horcruxes, we barely got by on the food rations we had and with two guys with enormous appetites, it was very difficult to ration everything, but we survived…barely. I think the last meal we ate was at Professor's Dumbledore's brother's home in Hogsmeade. If eating a couple of scones and drinking Butter-beer can be considered food or something wholesome.

As I step into the diningroom, I give everyone a cursory glance and I scowl when I notice Ginny and Ron sitting on either side of Harry. My temper flares and I glare at them.

"When are you two going to grow up?" I ask through clenched teeth.

Harry looks up from his plate of egg and bacon and he shakes his head.

"But…It's not fair," I point out as I glance around the table until I rest my gaze on Ron's face. His jaw is clenched as if he wants to say something. He refuses to look me in the eye and it just upsets me. I feel my eyes fill with tears. For the first time in all my years of knowing the Weaselys, I feel like an outsider. As I regard the table, I come to the shocking realisation that I don't belong and it's just not fair. I am technically an 'orphan', even though my parents are alive and well in Australia - they don't even know I exist. When I used the curse to erase their memories, I did not think it would be this difficult, but seeing them for the last time, comes rushing back and the pain hits me in my chest. Gasping, I press my hand against my chest and I will myself not to cry.

"Yeah? What about sleeping with my best friend? Do you think that is fair?" asks Ron as he gets up and folds his arms. Everyone stops what they are doing and they focus on us. This is it. It's now or never, but I cannot deal with him now.

"Harry?" I barely whisper.

"Ron," he says firmly as he gets to his feet. "If you continue making assumptions like that, you will no longer have a best friend. Do not force me to choose between what is right and what is fair, considering the hurtful words you have said to Hermione over the years."

Ron blushes beet-red and he sits down, defeated, and slumps in his seat, "She was supposed to be my girl, Harry. Not yours," he says quietly.

"Well, you should have thought of that before you broke her heart, Ronald… Hermione, come… I think we have overstayed our welcome," he says as he saunters towards me and as soon as he is in arm's reach, I launch myself at him. "I know, " he says softly. "I know you miss them. Why don't we get out of here for a few hours?"

"She was supposed to be mine, Harry. Why do I always come off second best, huh? You defeated Voldemort and you stole my girl…"

Harry sighs and gently releases me, however he keeps his hand firmly interlocked with mine and he keeps me behind him. "I am sorry you feel that way, Ron, but it was not something either of us planned. Ginny," he says quietly. "I am truly sorry and I don't expect either of you to forgive me…I just hope you will understand in time. Mrs Weasley. Mr Weasley, thank you for offering your home to us, but I really think we should leave."

Mrs Weasley gets up and approaches us. "Where are you going to go, if not here?"

"I don't know," he sighs. "It just wouldn't feel right if we stayed here. Things are tense enough as it is."

"Are you sure about this, Harry? What about completing your seventh year at Hogwarts?" she asks as she regards us with motherly concern and I swallow hard. I will not cry. I will not cry. The lump in my throat gets tighter and tighter until I choke out a sob.

"Molly," I whisper.

"Hermione," she says softly, "I don't want you two to leave. Surely we can find a way to live harmoniously, otherwise I am going to have to give my two youngest children a talking to."

"Molly," I jerk away from him and I fly into her arms.

"I know it's difficult, but do you honestly think you are ready to leave The Burrow? It's your home for as long as you need it and if being with Harry is what you want then I don't see what the problem is."

I feel the warmth of his hand on my shoulder and I reluctantly pull away from her. As I turn towards him, he reaches for my hand and pulls me flush against him. He tightens his arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth.

"Harry," says Mrs Weasley, "Just think about it, please? I don't want either of you, especially you, young man, to do anything rash."

He laughs softly. He is known to make impulsive decisions. Another thing I love about him, except during Fifth Year when he insisted Sirius Black was in the Department of Mysteries. It turned out that Voldemort planted the idea in his head and because of his impulsiveness, he unknowingly dragged us into danger and that resulted in the death of Sirius. He blamed himself then for his death and he still does. Sirius was the closet thing to family he had and he was snatched away from him by none other than Bellatrix.

"Okay, Mrs Weasley, we will stay. At least it will gives us a chance to decide on what we really want to do and in all honesty, I don't want to unsettle Hermione more than she already is."

In spite of myself, I smile. Without a doubt, he loves me. He may not have said it in so many words, but he loves me. My arms snake around his neck and I bury my head in his chest so that no-one else can see my face.

"Mmm…So," he murmurs, "Are we going to stay?"

I am too afraid to speak, so I nod.

"Okay…Now, I really think you should eat something, even if it is cereal. You must be starving."

I pull away so that I can see his face and he smiles down at me as he uses his thumbs to wipe away my tears. "I am…starving."

"Well," she laughs, "That settles it. Ginny, Ron, in the study, now. Arthur," she says firmly as she beckons to him. He folds his paper and smiles at his wife as if she is the most beautiful thing to have walked this planet. Ron and Ginny grumble loudly as they follow their parents into the study. Somehow it doesn't seem fair that she's singled them out. Harry interlocks his hand with mine and leads me back to the table. He pulls out Ron's chair and smiles as he points at it. I can't help returning his smile because of his excellent manners.

"Thank you," I whisper as I sit down. He leans over me and closes his hands over mine. He nuzzles my hair and I blush profusely. It's not as if we are alone. Bill and Fleur are sitting quietly together while George and Percy have their heads together, discussing I don't know what, but I do hear funeral and memorial, so I assume they are talking about Fred and the memorial, Mr Weasley mentioned last night and that brings me to the question of when Harry intends returning The Elder Wand to the White Tomb.

"You smell nice…Jasmine and Lilies."

"Thank you," I whisper, and he gives me a quick peck on the cheek before sitting next to me. Now that our best friends are aware that we are together, I feel slightly better, but not completely.

"So, that went well," he comments as he picks up his fork. I lean forward and push his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose.

"I think you should consider wearing eye-contacts," I tease as I skim my finger along his upper-arm and he starts laughing.

"Why?"

"Well, firstly, it means we won't have your glasses in the way and secondly, I get to see your eyes. Really see them, like I have never seen them before…Sometimes glasses hides a person's face, Harry."

A smile plays around his lips as he regards me, "So you think my glasses - the glasses I have used for like forever - hide my handsome face?"

I playfully punch his arm. "I have known you for years and never once did I think you were vain, Mr Potter," I say with an imperious air and he snort laughs at me.

"Well now, Ms Granger, perhaps there is more to me than just the boy-who-lived…"

"The boy-who-lived has become the man-who-destroyed the Dark Lord. Just like the prophecy foretold."

"Yeah. Neither one can live while the other survives. Imagine carrying that burden and not understanding what it means?"

I lower my voice and reach across for his tightly clenched hand. "I still can't believe you were the missing piece, Harry. All the years you suffered because of your scar only to discover a piece of the Dark Lord's soul resided in your soul. It makes perfect sense you know."

"How so?" he says darkly.

"You speak Parseltongue and Defense against the Dark Arts has always been your strong point…and then the connection you always shared with him. At least you knew what he had planned or what he did at the time."

He drops his fork. It clutters to the table and he gets to his feet. "At what cost, Hermione?" he asks quietly as he folds his arms and stares past me. I watch his face and the many emotions flickering in his eyes. There is so much sadness in them and I don't quite know what to say.

"I never wanted anyone to die because of me," he whispers.

"Harry," I sigh as I get to my feet. I step up to him and I gently unfold his arms. "They died because they wanted to fight with us. Any of them could have walked away, but they didn't."

He lowers his eyes and refuses to look at me. "And the girl I love will never see her parents again because of me."

His sadness surprises me, but at the same time, it strikes a chord somewhere in my heart. "I don't blame you, Harry. I had to ensure their safety. I would rather have them safe and sound, then not at all, even if I don't exist to them anymore."

"You were so brave to do that," he says softly.

"I love my parents," I murmur. "And it kills me knowing I will never see them again." I swallow the unexpected lump in my throat and I busy myself with buttering a piece of toast. The last thing I want to think about are my parents and how much I miss them.

"You know, we could always-"

I hold up my hand and shake my head, "No, Harry. I'd rather not do that. It would just be too difficult…Can we talk about something else?"

He leans back in his chair and offers me a small smile. "Yeah, sure. We can talk about anything you want."

"When are you going to repair your wand?" I ask.

"Well, I thought today would be perfect. I thought we could spend some time outdoors, away from here. You know, just the two of us."

I laugh. "You just want an excuse to be with me," I tease and he holds up his hands in mock surrender.

"Why not, Hermione? Imagine-"

I hold up my hand and shake my head. "You keep your thoughts to yourself. I need to eat and then perhaps we can discuss it later, don't you agree?" I ask and just in time, because Ron and Ginny walk back in, looking very sheepish and ashamed. They don't even look at us when they sit down. In fact, they huddle together and stare resolutely at nothing in particular. Great. Whatever Mrs Weasley said to them has made things worse. Harry's idea of being outdoors sounds very appealing right now and because I don't want to waste anymore of the beautiful day, I wolf down my cereal, followed by a glass of orange juice.

"Mmm…Do you need to be somewhere?" he asks and I grin at him

"Yes, I do. Are you finished? I need fresh air."

He frowns while he regards his plate. "I've had my fill for now," he replies as we get to our feet. We excuse ourselves and we disappear out the back door. I take in the fresh spring air and I stretch my arms to the heavens. The sun feels good on my face. He grabs my hand and tugs me up the path, to the back of the house and he leads me to a clump of trees. I release his hand and skip ahead of him until we step into an enclosure. Ginny, Ron, Harry and I often spent time here in the warmer months. I drop to the grass and lie down so that I can enjoy the warmth of the sun heating my skin. I hear him drop next to me and then I feel him settling on top of me. Briefly I wonder if we are going to make love now, but he just stares at me, with his mouth partly open. I can just see the tip of his tongue and I curl my hand around his neck and pull him towards me. Our lips collide together, eliciting sighs from both of us. He cups my face as our kiss deepens. I thread my fingers through his hair, firmly locking him into position and my other hand roams along his back, to the hem of his shirt. I tug it up, exposing his skin so that I can caress him.

"Harry," I breathe, "Please let me feel you." I don't understand why I feel the need to feel his skin on mine, but I need it. He looks up and without breaking eye contact with me, he guides my hands to the hem of his shirt. I don't look away from him as I tug it upwards and over his head. As I reach for his hands, he grabs the bottom of my jersey and pulls it off, making my hair stand on end and he chuckles.

"I am going to miss your bushy mane of hair when you cut it short."

"I can always leave it."

He shakes his head, "I think you will look sexy as hell with short hair."

I blush at his words and I close my eyes hoping he won't see me, but the gentle pressure of his hand on my cheek, forces me to open them. "Smokin' hot? Enough to get me writhing beneath you in delicious ecstasy?" I tease.

He expels air and his eyes become hooded, "Oh my God, where is Hermione the quiet and conservative girl I've known since I was eleven? Please don't tell me you've been holding out on me?"

"Maybe," I whisper as I bring his hands back to my jersey, "Now undress me." I cannot believe what I've just said. I've always been conservative, but with Harry, I feel daring.

"Yes, Ms Granger," he says sternly as he lifts his eyebrow. He quickly divests me of my jersey and t-shirt, leaving me in my pretty pink bra.

He closes his eyes and opens them again. "You are so beautiful," he whispers as I draw him into my arms. As soon as our skin touches for the first time, I lose my train of thought and I focus on the way he feels. All I need is his kiss so I draw him towards me and I kiss him. He curls his hand around the nape of my neck while his other hand traces lazy circles on the small of my back. I cup the back of his neck to keep him in place while my free hand traces the outline of his chest. He turns to his side so that we are face-to-face and he pulls me tightly into his body. I frame his face and I stare into his eyes. At the moment they are sparkling with...humor. Something I have not seen for a very long time. Between the pain caused by his scar and his determination to destroy the Dark Lord, he hasn't had much to smile about, until now and it makes me smile, and it occurs to me that I have not asked him how he feels.

"Harry, how are you really? I mean, how do you feel?"

He squeezes his eyes shut and hangs his head. I bite my lip, thinking that perhaps I shouldn't have asked and I want to kick myself for spoiling the moment between us. All I do is curl my hands around his neck, draw him closer and I plant a soft kiss on his forehead before easing his head onto my chest. "It's okay. We don't have to talk about it."

He sighs. "It's not that, Hermione… It's just that so many innocents died. I know I should be happy that Voldemort is dead, but…I don't know. When I look at Mrs Weasley, I see the pain in her eyes, and it is far worse when I look at George, Ginny and Ron."

"Harry," I whisper as I hold him close. "It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself…" I murmur even though I know he does and there is nothing I can do to convince him otherwise. Seven long years he has fought for himself, for his friends and the entire wizarding world. Many people have died along the way. The first death he witnessed was Cedric Diggory's during the Tri-Wizard Tournament in our fourth year at Hogwarts. It was heartbreaking…I will never ever forget the pain in his eyes when Mad-Eye Moody led him away.

"Do you have any idea how much I wanted to be with you on that night when Cedric died, Harry?" I whisper. It was during that time I started thinking that I felt more for him than just brotherly love, but at the time, I just passed it off has nothing more than misplaced love and I was confused because of my growing attraction to Ron and my unexpected misplaced love for Harry.

"I blame myself for everything. Sirius died because of me. Fred, Tonks and Remus died because of me," he says fiercely as he sits up and grabs his shirt. He jumps to his feet and tugs it over his head. He grabs my clothes and drops them in my lap. "Come, let's get out of here for the rest of the day." He turns to the side and buries his head in his hands. His shoulders are shaking and I realise he is trying so hard to keep in control of his emotions. I get to my feet, feeling very disappointed about our lack of contact as I enjoyed our intimacy even if it was for a short while. I pull my shirt on followed by my jersey and when I look up, he has folded his arms across his chest and he is staring at something only he can see. Warily, I approach him and slip my arms around him, not knowing if he will push me away, however he stops shaking and he sort of relaxes into me. I feel his beating heart beneath my hands and I rest my head on his back, holding him as gently as I can.

"I still love you," I whisper. "I don't blame you for anything. It was beyond our control."

"Yeah, maybe, but still…It freaking hurts, Hermione and it doesn't help matters that my best friend hates my guts for 'stealing' you from him."

"He'll get over it, Harry, and besides you didn't 'steal' me from him as I was never his to begin with…I've always been yours," I whisper and even as I say the words, I realise the truth of them and I tighten my arms around him.

"Hermione," he murmurs as he slowly turns around. Smiling at me, he touches my cheek, "You've always been mine and some day soon, I am going to make you mine completely." His eyes darken as the words leave his mouth and a warm flush spreads throughout me warming me from the inside out.

"When will that day come?" I whisper as I step right up to him. "Because I don't know how much longer I can wait."

He tilts his head to the side and laughs softly. "Oh my God, I definitely think you have been holding out on me, Ms Granger," he half-smirks, half-smiles at me.

"You reckon?" I whisper as I reach for him.

"Yeah," he breathes as he angles toward me. His hand caresses my side before moving over my hip to the small of my back. He pulls me flush against him and I wrap my arm around his neck while I tease him. "I definitely think there is more to you than meets the eye…Now, before we cross the invisible line, let's get out of here for a few hours," he says softly as he catches my hand and interlocks his fingers with mine.

"Where would you like to go?" I whisper as I lean towards him.

"Somewhere where you and I can be alone for a few hours. Somewhere out of Ron and Ginny's sight…Come," he murmurs as he slides his hands beneath my jeans. "Perhaps I will make you mine sooner than you expect."

"I know…Why don't we go to a nightclub? Where we can dance the night away? Why don't we do something normal completely different and separate from the wizarding world?"

He raises his eyebrow, amusement flickers across his face, "A nightclub?"

"Why not? It's the school holidays?" I point out, even though I am fighting a losing battle… "Or not," I sigh when his answer is not forthcoming.

"Maybe another time," he says softly as he withdraws his hands so that he can grab mine. "Let's go to Hogsmeade," he says firmly as he leads me through the trees, along the path to the demarcated apparating spot.

"Hogsmeade? Do you think there will be others about?" I muse.

"Does it matter? At least we can be ourselves without too many unwanted eyes and," he sighs, "I don't really want to be here."

I grin at him. He wants me to himself and as I regard him, I realise I am right because he has that deeply intense look that seems to see into the depths of my soul. It is not the first time he has looked at me as if I am worth something. It makes me want to kiss him and without thinking twice about it, I throw my arms around his neck and I kiss him…long and hard until we are both breathless and in need of air, except we are reluctant to break our kiss. By this point his hands are tangled in my hair and my hands are pressed lightly against his chest.

"Okay," he breathes, "I seriously need to catch my breath," he says softly as he gently pushes me away. He reaches for my hands and we both take a few deep breaths of fresh air.

I briefly close my eyes, to gather my thoughts and emotions. He has no idea the effect he has on me and the way he looks at me is enough to make me weak at the knees. My body is a mass of tingling sensation and I don't know if I can look at him once I open my eyes.

"Hey," he says softly, "Open your eyes, beautiful."

"Harry," I murmur as I reluctantly open my eyes.

"That's better…I don't like it when you try to hide from me."

"I'm not hiding. I just don't want you to see too much."

He frowns, "Why not? Are you afraid of the way you feel about me?"

"Um…Yes, a little bit. I've never felt so strongly about someone before. It's…very new and on top of everything else and the fact that I want to…" I lower my eyes and blush… "I want to… Nevermind. Let's get out of here." A distraction would be most welcome otherwise I am going to make a fool of myself and the last thing I want is to come over as being a silly girl with school-girl crush when what I feel is so much more.