Disclaimer: No, Harry Potter will never be mine. This story is all I have.

A/N: Hello guys! It has been a while! I am verry sorry for the lack of updates these past two months. I've been very busy at school and life that I made a slow progress with this chapter and the next ones. It is a bit long by the way and I spent a few days trying to find the best way to write it for you to enjoy so I would appreciate any feedback/reviews that you can give me. I promise to update as soon as I can. I hope you'll still read this, btw and tell me what you think, I've been trying to make this chapter good for all of you (ps: it's still not BETA-ed. both of us are busy, I'm sorry if there are many typos and wrong grammar).

As a answer to all those who asked, Teddy is already two years old during this chapter. And some other questions will be addressed here (the title sums it up).

Summary (last chapter): After a few years of not seeing his cousin, Harry was able to talk to him again and he realized how much he has changed. He was able to introduce him to Hermione properly and they were able to enjoy a nice meal while telling countless stories about the past. When they were about to retire, Hermione asked Harry if he would want to accompany her to Shell Cottage and Harry agreed to Hermione's request.

Chapter 26: Feelings

The sound of our apparition echoed loudly in our ears as we arrived at our destination. I looked around to examine the area, stopping in my tracks when the familiar smell crept on my nose. With a sigh, I began to chant an incantation, one that would reveal to us what was unseen.

And then it came back to me. . .the place was still like how I remembered it.

The cottage stood alone on a cliff overlooking the sea. As I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of salty water, I remembered how I used to escape reality and look at the open sky just to pass time. . .of how Dobby's face flashed continuously into my mind back then, constantly reminding me of what happened and how helpless I felt. This was, after all, such a lonely and beautiful place.

Shaking off my thoughts, I looked at Hermione. She was also in a daze, her chocolate eyes far away, as if she too, was remembering. Slowly, I took her hand and she flinched at my touch. I stared at her, puzzled by her action, but she only gave me a warm smile as we proceeded to descend upon Bill and Fleur's home.

When we finally arrived at their doorstep, I took a deep breath as Hermione knocked on the door. A very pregnant Fleur Weasley came into view, squealing as her long, silver hair billowed in the breeze. "'Arry! 'Ermione! Eez had been a long time!"

Fleur kissed me on the forehead, tiptoeing as she did and Hermione hugged her as tightly as she could, her expression shifting. Fleur then gestured us inside and both of them animatedly began their discussion.

I carefully dropped the bag I was carrying on the nearest chair and a little smirk crept on my face when I saw their faces that I couldn't help but let them be even if they left me near the doorway. Thankfully, Bill arrived to my rescue. . .wearing an apron, with a large frying pan and his wand on his hands.

He looked at me with an apologetic face. "I'm sorry about that, mate."

"It's fine. Guess they're just glad to see each other." We both tried to look at where the two had vanished and laughed when we heard their awfully loud voices ringing down the hall.

"Fleur was already getting a bit barmy while waiting for you guys. I'm glad those two get along well."

I shrugged. "Well, Hermione would often tell me about her baby shopping adventures with Fleur."

"I'm glad Hermione enjoys it, can't say the same for Ginny though."

I lifted my head to Bill's direction. Speaking of Ginny, I haven't seen her in a while. Her graduation was weeks away from now. "Does she visit often?"

Bill shook his head. "She and Ron visited us once, about four months ago before Christmas. And err – things were quite. . .entertaining when they were here."

For a while, I didn't know what I should feel at this revelation. I knew that Ginny was still uncomfortable with Fleur but beyond that, well, I never really found out because I never saw them talking to each other. "I kind of expected that. Did something happen?"

Bill slumped on the nearby wall and gazed at the ceiling in concentration. It was a while before I realized that he was trying to hold a fit of laughter. "Well. . .Fleur got mad at me for laughing like a barmy and didn't talk to me for two whole days. I couldn't help it though, she and Ginny were just too awkward."

I chuckled at this and couldn't really imagine the scene. My face scrunched up in concentration and I was trying to suppress a laugh when Bill put a hand on my shoulder.

"Come, I'm cooking something nice."

With a nod, I followed Bill as he led me to the kitchen. It has been a while since I last came into this house so I tried to remember the little details I forgot to look at. There were many new trinkets and pictures that hung on the walls. And when we arrived in the kitchen, different ingredients were scattered on plates in the table while he carried on with his work.

For a while, silence enveloped the room, save for the sizzling of the meat and boiling water in the pot. I sat on the nearest chair and busied myself in guessing what Bill was cooking and occasionally, I handed out the ingredients he needed as he concentrated with his work. It went on for a while, I was content with the scenario and I was glad that Bill only spoke when he needed to.

When he finally dropped his wand on the table, he gave me a huge grin as we waited for the meal to cook. "So, I heard from Kingsley that you're to become a full-fledged Auror soon."

With a smile, I couldn't hide the excitement I felt at the mention of it. "Well, err – yeah. I guess."

"I bet you'd do well, considering that you're more famous now because of the number of cases you've finished."

"Not really. I had my team and some more help loads of times."

Bill sat on the chair opposite of mine and waved his wand. The dirty plates went to the sink and a sponge suddenly appeared to wash them with soap. "Codswallop! We all know what you're capable of, Harry."

"Er – so how is Fleur doing?"

Bill raised his brow at my attempt to change the topic, but he gave me a wolfish grin at the mention of his wife. "Nice try, Harry. She's doing fine. It won't be long now and we'll finally see our little girl."

His face softened and his eyes twinkled with happiness. Even without words, I could feel his excitement, even if he looked so tired. "Yeah. . .hang on, girl?"

Bill nodded once, his gaze far away. "Any names yet?" I asked.

"Nope. Fleur wants us to pick a name appropriate for the date or month of birth of the child. She said that it will be our first gift, so it has to be special."

"I bet it will be."

It didn't take long for the proud daddy-to-be to give a chuckle in agreement to my words. With a wave of his wand, a butterbear levitated in front of me and I nodded my thanks. Both of us raised our mug and took a swig.

"So, how is work?" I asked.

Bill shifted on his seat and scrunched up his face in disdain. "Dull, boring and stressful. After we've discovered how to counter the curses they placed on the Ministry, well, we've been tasked to remove the same curses from other places as well. It got very tiring after the third time. If Kingsley didn't ask for me, I wouldn't have agreed to the other officials' request, not when I knew Fleur needed me here."

For a while, both of us remained silent. Bill was often the cool one, someone who was level-headed. But to see him rant like this? I never thought that I would live to see this day and still, I was glad. "I bet Hermione feels the same way about it, given your circumstance and all."

"It's actually weird that someone who has some brilliant dreams as Hermione will pick this rather than work at her office. Still, I am grateful for this, mate."

I shook my head. "No, not at all. It was Hermione's idea, really. She also surprised me when she told me that she asked her boss if she could bring her work at home for the week."

Bill chuckled at my reaction. "It doesn't make me any less grateful, Harry. Speaking of which, why didn't you bring the little cub?"

"Teddy? Err – well, I thought about bringing him here, but didn't want Fleur to worry. Teddy is like a little Tonks."

He nodded in agreement and looked at me. "I think Fleur will be happy if you can bring him sometime."

"Thanks, I will."

Bill gave me a satisfied smile, his scars stretching. Then, he looked at his watch and stood up to check the food. I went to his side and observed how he stirred the contents of the pot. Delicious aroma filled the whole kitchen that I felt my stomach grumble. "I never knew that you loved to cook."

He glanced at my direction and snorted. "Not really. Fleur often made impossible requests during the first trimester of her pregnancy. There was one time that she wanted me to get pumpkin pie at three in the morning and I knew it was impossible to do, so I told her I couldn't. She cried and told me that I should learn how to cook."

He exhaled, remembering the scene with a look of amusement on his face. "After a few more incidents, I finally managed to grab a hold of a cookbook and tried to cook meals for her myself. It was a hard job, considering that I've never done it before. Luckily, I was able to succeed after so many tries."

With his story, I remembered how frustrated Hermione got after seeing the mess that she tried to call food. She would often grumble, bite her lips and cross her arms in disappointment, something that I found funny. I would try to tell her that she couldn't always get it during the first try but she would shrug me off and tell me that I never did destroy anything when I cooked. I always cleaned up the mess afterwards and helped her if she decided to give it another go.

She was always a hard-headed one. Strong-willed, she never backed off that there were times that she would ban me from the kitchen just because I could cook. And there were even those times when I asked if she needed help and she would tell me that she could handle it, only to find her a moment later, knocking on my room. It was always amusing.

Remembering these, I gave off a satisfied sigh and smiled as I looked at Bill. "Ron once told Hermione that she was a hideous cook. After the war, there were times that I arrived late so I tried to teach her how to cook for herself. It also took a while before she got the hang of it."

"I actually can imagine it. Speaking of Hermione, how have the two of you been?"

"We're good. Work always took up most of our time but we tried to compensate it by eating dinner together and talking before we sleep."

Bill poured the content of the pot into a large bowl and with a swish of his wand, levitated it towards the table. "There was a time that I actually thought that you two would get together. Who would ever think I would be right?"

"I never even thought about it before the war."

"Hah! Took you long enough, mate. That's the problem with most people, they are too confident because someone is always there that they never realize what they really feel until it is too late. Look at Ron, it took him a while to realize that he was taking her for granted just because he felt secured that she was always there for him."

What Bill said. . .actually stung and left me thunderstruck. I pondered on the thought for a while and thought of various things. Would have it made more sense if I realized sooner that I loved her? Would knowing that spared all of us of the pain? Would I –

"But you know, at least, you were able to realize it. And I know how special she means to you when I see the two of you, especially when you look at her. "

Speechless, all I could do was nod and shake off the feeling away. ". . .yeah."

"So, do you two even fight?"

I chuckled at the question. Almost everyone thought we had a perfect relationship, but they never knew how we fought. There were even those times when Hermione would go home to her parents' house, upset. "Loads of times. Does it happen often between you and Fleur?"

"Of course, mate. It wouldn't be as exciting if we didn't. Fleur would often rant about me being insensitive, especially when the pregnancy began." Bill shuddered and I couldn't help but imagine how Fleur could get angry. The half-Veela never really showed that side to anyone here, well, not to me anyway.

"Have you ever thought of proposing to her yet?"

"I did, but I guess it isn't still the right time."

He chortled at my answer. "You'll feel it when you are, but I'm more than glad that you think she is the one. So, any naughty things that I ought to know?"

The mood shifted so suddenly before I even realized that my cheeks already grew warm. Even though I respect Hermione to even think about something like that, I playfully punched his arm as he laughed at my reaction. I asked him why he thought she was the one and then, we talked about a few nonsensical things after, something that involved guessing what the women were talking about, what the next Quidditch match would be and work-related stuff. It was after a while before the two of them joined us in the kitchen.

All of us spent a good time reminiscing about the past and talking about the present. Fleur still glowed with happiness and I could see that Hermione was also enjoying the day. The four of us talked for hours, catching up with each other's lives and most of the topics involved the soon-to-be baby Weasley, which Bill and Fleur were always proud to tell us about.

We talked about their plans for the future, how the baby would look like (which, by the way, Fleur wanted to look like Bill and Hermione, like Fleur) and there was even a time that Fleur let me feel the baby in her stomach as she kicked. It was a wonderful experience, kind of like actually experiencing for the first time something that made you look forward to seeing it more.

When Fleur told us that she wanted to rest, we allowed the couple to spend their time together, especially because we know Bill would be gone for a week. Hermione went to clean up her room afterwards, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I suddenly found myself walking towards the end of the garden, in between two bushes that had to bud into beautiful flowers. The salty feeling of the wind in my face was nostalgic. It made me remember how I dug the grave, how I stood there for a while to say goodbye.

I lowered my gaze and suddenly, bat-like ears greeted me as I heard one of them sniffle for the first time.

I stared at the figures, which didn't seem to realize that I was there. One of them was standing, looking at the grave while patting the other's back, and the other was kneeling in front of it. Suddenly, I heard one of them wail uncontrollably, her shrilly voice ringing on my ears. Realizing who they were, I carefully knelt behind them and patted the crying one on the back. They flinched and Winky stood up when they realized I was there. Both of them stared at me with large, orb-like eyes.

"M-m-master! –"

"Master Harry! –"

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry. W-winky f-followed you –"

"Don't punish Winky, Kreacher was responsible –"

"h-here, W-winky w-w-wanted to see D-dobby,"

"yes. Kreacher should have told you about it. –"

"but is too af-fraid to ask. Master has been s-so kind to Winky, yes."

"Kreacher is sorry, Master! Please, forgive Kreacher!"

"I-I'm sorry, Master, Winky will p-punish –"

With a sigh, I massaged my temples, suddenly feeling my head ache from listening to both of them. "Winky, Kreacher, please stop."

Both of them grew silent, save the occasional whimpers that Winky was trying to suppress. I gave her a pat in the head and smiled. "It's okay. We can pay our respect together."

Winky wiped her tears with her clothes and gave me a small, toothy smile and Kreacher nodded at me, satisfied. The three of us then faced the grave as I conjured a colorful ring of flowers that would have matched Dobby's clothes. Carefully, I took something out of my pocket and placed it in front of the grave as all of us kneeled.

HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF

The white stone was still impeccable as ever, and the words looked like they were shining. I felt a rush of emotions in my chest as I stared at sky.

I looked up as tears freely fell from my eyes and talked to the sky.

Has it already been two years, Dobby? I never even told you how thankful I am that you were there for me. I still remember how I called you're name after you died, how I repeatedly told you to wake up. I thought it was only a nightmare, one that I never wanted to have again. I thought, at that time, that by shaking you, by trying to rouse you up, you would look at me with those round, soulful orbs again and smile.

Has it been that long since I last came? I couldn't even tell you how ashamed I feel right now. I am so sorry, Dobby. I am so sorry that I never did anything to help you, to save you. I felt so helpless, watching as your life was drained. Forgive me, my friend.

Have I even told you that you were special? That I loved you? Could you hear me right now? I wished you were still here so that Hermione could knit you some more hats, so that I could give you another set of socks that would've fit. I wished you could've met Teddy. . .I wished you could've seen how I finally became happy because of her. You were a hero, my friend, someone that I could never dream of surpassing.

I finally looked down wiped my tears with the back of my hand. I felt Kreacher tousle my hair and when I looked, both elves were smiling at me with their eyes shining. Then, we stood there, looking at the grave.

"Master?" Winky said.

"Hmmm?"

"Can you tell Winky and Kreacher how Dobby became a hero?"

I closed my eyes in silent reminisce. I felt the breeze of the wind in my face as I inhaled and remembered that day. My voice swam inside my head, like it wasn't really me experiencing them.

There was a starry sky, in a dark, cold night. "Dobby, is this Shell Cottage? Have we come to the right place? Dobby."

Dobby swayed slightly, the silver hilt of the knife protruding from his chest. "Dobby – no – HELP! HELP!"

I tried to scream but he stopped me. "Don't die, please, don't die."

I saw how he took his last breath. I felt myself shaking at the thought.

"Harry. . .Potter. . ."

I tried to shake him while still saying, "Dobby, Dobby." I felt that it wasn't real. Maybe, Dobby just got exhausted and needed to rest. I felt that I had to wake him up now so I shook him harder. "Dobby, please. Dobby, wake up, wake up. We're finally here, we're safe now so please, wake up."

I couldn't believe it was happening. . . Then, I realized that I was crying again. I tried to speak as I looked at the two elves, which were waiting expectantly. But even as my jaw moved, even as I opened my mouth, no words wanted to form.

"Dobby saved us by bringing us here, even though he knew that it could mean sacrificing his very life," came a woman's voice.

I couldn't look at her as I stared at the grave. I heard her footsteps as it approached our direction and I saw how the elves stood up to look at her.

She kneeled beside me and held me close that I rested my head on my shoulders, still looking at the grave. "We were trapped at a Manor, with no place to escape. But Dobby here, he saved us and took us out of there but because of that. . .he died. We would've died, if not for him."

I could feel her voice shaking as she tried to recall the events as swiftly as she could. The elves nodded at her and looked at the grave again.

And then, Kreacher surprised us when he spoke, "Kreacher didn't know that a house elf would be able to do this, Kreacher now realize how selfish he is. Kreacher is old, yet he doesn't have Dobby the Elf's devotion. Kreacher should learn, Kreacher should."

Kreacher stared at me, his eyes, reflecting the stars above. "Kreacher now knows why mistress values freedom aside from making Kreacher a happy elf. Kreacher is happy."

Unexpectedly, Kreacher hugged me and I welcomed him, awkwardly at first. Unexpectedly, he cried while clutching my clothes.

I stared at his form for a while, patting his back as he cried. But someone tugged me from my side and I saw Winky, standing there, smiling at me. "Master, Kreacher now understands what Winky is trying to say to him. Winky is now at peace too, because she knows Dobby is happy. We will support Mistress' fight for the elves' right, Winky and Kreacher will help you."

Hermione left my form to hug Winky. I saw how tears sparkled from her face as he gave the elf a hug, which Winky accepted.

We stood there for a while, recalling our fondest memories of Dobby for both Kreacher and Winky. Sometimes, they too, would share their fondest experiences with their previous masters and why they loved them. The mood became happy and warm, even though it was cold outside the house.

Then, in no time, the elves said their goodbyes and returned to Grimmauld Place. The last thing I saw before they disapparated was their sincere smile and bright, shining orbs. When they were gone, both Hermione and I sat on the nearby chair, which gave us a view of the sea.

I held her close, even though silence still enveloped our forms. She rested her head on the crook of my neck as I started running a hand down her hair. I felt secured, knowing that she was there. I held her close, just to feel that she was real.

"Harry?"

I looked at her chocolate eyes, which were still visible even in this dark night. "Hmmmm?"

"I'm sorry," she said.

I kissed her forehead, holding her close as best as I could as I rested my head on the crown of her head. More silence, but we were comfortable with it. It gave us a sense of peace, as we retreated with our own thoughts. Whatever it was, I knew that if she was ready, she would tell me. . .she always did. Suddenly, she gave a sigh, which prompted a crease in my forehead. "What's wrong?"

"I never told anyone about this. Will you listen to my story?"

I looked at her and saw nothing but fear, but I nodded, nonetheless. With a sigh, she went out of my hug and stood up, hugging herself. I felt cold. "This place. . .is full of memories."

She turned to me and gave a small smile. From where I was, I could see that she was close to crying, but I didn't want to stand up and wipe them. . .I realized, she needed this.

Hermione let out a sigh. In all the times we were together, she never revealed this side of her, not even with me. It was only now that I realized that she was finally letting me in. "The moment that I saw you on that train, I knew there was something about you that made me feel drawn to you. It was stupid, really, but I wanted to know you better, to be your friend."

"Hermione, wha– "

"I got my wish when you saved me from that Troll, but who knew it would be so much more?"

I felt my forehead crease. I didn't know why she was saying this. Why now?

"I know things have returned to normal and I am. . .happy about it all, really. But there are times that I feel like I am being followed and there are also those moments when I feel that Bellatrix will come and cast another curse. The war. . . I don't know if I can even forget it all."

"Hermione – "

She shook her head and faced the sea. A small chuckle escaped from her, but she didn't turn to look at me. I felt my heart break at the news. Hermione was always the level-headed one, even though I knew how much she suffered when she was alone in her room. "It's silly, I know. But after everything that we've been through, I think that you deserve to know. I never wanted. . .to hurt you, Harry or make you suffer for that matter. But you see, I always do."

She picked up a pebble from the ground and tried to throw it, something she has learned from Ron. I wanted her to look at me, to see that she never did anything like that, but I kept silent. Today, I would listen.

"Sometimes, I feel like. . .I don't deserve you. I love you, but I was never able to say it much, had I?"

She faced me with a sad smile as her tears continued to trickle down her face. This time, I was the one who turned away. I wanted to shout at her, tell her that she wasn't making sense. I wanted to scream.

But warm, shaking hands suddenly found their way into my cheeks. She went down my level and kissed the crown of my neck and for the first time during the night, I finally saw what she meant. "I love you, I realized it when we were at Hogwarts. I was jealous of this woman who I thought had your heart, but I never realized it until later. Then, even when I tried to tell you after finding it out what I felt, I became afraid that you'd turn me down."

I looked at her, at the woman I love as my own tears flowed. She laughed when she saw how embarrassed I felt, now that I was crying in front of her. Then, she wiped away my tears. "I didn't deserve you, Harry. This place, it always reminded me how helpless I was, in the times when you needed me the most. During all those times we spent together, I was so close in telling you what I really felt. But things happened. . .and it was my fault."

She enveloped me into her hug and I put my hands on her waist. It hurt, but I had to hear it, she had to let it out.

"I got more afraid when I saw you in that bed, when I thought you would never wake up. And when Ron told me that you loved me, it hurt me even more. You would go without giving me a chance to tell you how I felt, the possibility of it frightened me. You don't know how happy I was when you finally woke up, but I couldn't say it anymore, because it felt wrong, especially because I realized I was the reason why you almost died. So I only thanked you for loving me despite everything."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her last words. "You're still as hard-headed as ever."

"I know. I've been blabbing, haven't I? And why are you interrupting? I'm not even finished yet!"

I laughed, relieved that she was still her old self. "I just want to say. . .that I love this guy who laughs with me and not at me, who appreciates me for who I am. I love this guy, for he never fails to make me laugh and who sees me for who I am. But most of all, I just. . .love this guy for who he is."

He kissed my lips. It was gentle, sincere and full of emotions, something that was pure but so powerful at the same time. For that kiss represented who I was, what I am in her life. I was home. "I know it took me a while to get used to saying this but, I love you. I love you, Harry."

I realized at that moment that Shell Cottage may contain many bittersweet memories, some, we're trying to forget. But now, it also included this moment. . .and many more to come for that matter. I could imagine Teddy playing in the sand with a smile on his face and Hermione laughing truly. Shell Cottage sometimes may be lonely, but indeed. . .it was a beautiful place.

A/N: So, how was it for a comeback? Did you enjoy it? What do you think? REVIEW. :)

I know the chapter is a bit cramped and all but I wanted to have a little drama because the next chapter are well. . .you'll figure it out soon but I'll try to make it light. :)

For people who are still confused, it is already late April and no, Harry still hasn't proposed. I figured that it is still to early for him to do this. Percy is married by now, by the way. As for Hermione's feelings. . .

You see, with everything that has happened, my brain kept telling me NOT to show much of Hermione's appreciation. Yes, they are together, yes, they are happy. . .but you see, Hermione also has her issues and to tell the truth, I wanted them to be out in the open first, together with what she really felt. But even with all the chapters that I posted, the idea just didn't fit yet. I actually felt very surprised when one reader noticed about this and I was happy. Harry loves Hermione, that you already know and though he never really said the words aloud in every chapter that I post, I guess you can already tell by his actions and by his thoughts. Men are like that. Haha.