articdranzer
Also, that is some specific hatred from Karen DIL epidemic. Jeez.
Sorry, it took some time to reply. About your comment. I have to answer here. Because I blocked my email options in my profile in Fan Fiction. Net. No thanks to that awful pair of reviews, that came out of nowhere. I already reported that user and the two id names she/he/it was using. Thanks for your support. Trolls come in every shape and size. Thankfully, I'm still here.
Madie080802.
Enjoy.
Chapter 5. Mates.
Time seemed to pass in a whirl. Hermione, who at one point had considered giving up on meeting the icon Harry Potter, now stood charmed by his presence, gentle manner, patient and considerate demeanor. He was loving but firm with his kids and a real fluff when it came to Athena. Athena, who was so particular in accepting newcomers to her domain, had climbed Harry's lap and expected nothing but cuddles and love. Tilly smiled and scolded Athena's lack of manners. The whole scene made Hermione and the rest of the guests smile.
Oh, Hermione knew she was in trouble, because as she first met Harry, and his loving stare, she now was standing next to the man, and the man was a thousand times more warm and loving than his picture. She smiled, understanding why he was so coveted, so looked after and up to, and why malice followed him and his family. She noticed his specs were currently broken and took hold of them, without asking, she just whispered, "reparo". She placed them back then gently placed her hand on his cheek and said. "There, no more broken glasses for you," she then did a half turn and said to the rest, "Now kids, let's help Tilly and put away the dishes, and get ready for a day out. Tilly when you have a chance, would you be so kind as to get the traveling tent?"
At her swift gesture, Harry knew he was in hot water, not even Sally, who was now resting in peace, had been so quick to make his brain fizzle and pop in such a short time, and here was the record breaker gently reminding him she was standing in the flesh. He wanted to cry and rant at the same time. Cry because she was real, her magic was real, she was brilliant, generous, loving, fierce, and rant because she was here almost thirty years later from his first breath of air.
As Hermione had everything ready in the tent. She asked the Potters to refresh so she could write a letter, asking for time off, as she was currently hosting the Potters over TheoXenia. No, she would not hallucinate over the heartthrob in her bedroom, taking a shower and giving that gorgeous bum a scrub, while she salivated here on the table.
Luna smiled, getting set for her departure, "Oh, he's even hotter than that, one time I was invited to a Gryffindor party, and the party began in the locker rooms. We caught Harry in a towel, and yes, he was so hot, not as hot as my Nevie nowadays, but he starred in the fantasy reels of so many from then on. By the way, why do you doubt yourself? You are the wet dream of many in Gringotts, regardless of race, gender, and religion. You are a goddess, so go on, flaunt that gorgeous body of yours, and wink at him. He will drool, but then the next thing he will do is ask you to be his, say yes, please?"
With that, Luna left a hot and bothered Hermione, while she placed her wax seal and missed the stamp. Tilly, Hermione's house-elf giggled and corrected the stamping. She popped next to her, picked up the letter, and shifted away to deliver.
Harry came out of the shower, he had on full attire, thanks to Ripclaw sending a message to Kreacher to send him his and the family's traveling valises. He admired the master bedroom, and it was not just beautiful, feminine, and inviting; it had a lingering scent, her perfume. He would have to stop soon and think unsexy thoughts or he was going to scare his children and hostess with his anatomy displaying a standing salute. Fortunately, Kreacher, sensing his dilemma, left him a small vial of chloroform to remedy his libido's opinion. For the nth time of the day, Harry gave thanks for loyal house-elves that rescued their masters of nature and embarrassment.
Once again the Potters and Hermione traveled by brooch Port-Key and they stopped in one of the magical spots that had camping and bed-and-breakfast on location. The owners of the place warned the magicals to be aware that the mundanes also visited the beach and to keep a low profile.
Hermione noticed how Harry kept up with his children, he made sure that everyone was counted, comfortable, and ready to follow. She really shouldn't make more of it, but to her, it was refreshing to see such a good guy with the gift of magic, instead of just another self-entitled jerk who believed she was a muggle-born hussy who had to be shown her place.
Harry was no longer mourning the loss of Sally. She had been a witch with a feeble disposition, but because she had been a good friend and the only one who didn't try to potion Harry, while he was in Hogwarts, it had made it easy for Harry to marry her.
Sadly, his wife's magic had not been compatible with his, and a series of complications with her health took its toll Sally perished after Lily turned six months old.
To Harry, who always felt as though he had been cursed in love, it broke his heart. True, he had not loved Sally with passion, he just didn't believe, after her passing, that anyone could love him just for himself and not for being an icon.
Enter Hermione Granger, who was a revelation. Harry, who at one point fervently believed the fates forsook him in romantic love, was now questioning if this was a dream or reality.
From the moment they took their walk on the beach, she placed a muggle-repelling charm that held a three-mile radius, pulled out from her beaded handbag a top-of-the-line tent, and then, after setting it, she entered the tent with her pet carry-on and shifted to the cinnamon wolf and made her way to the ocean.
The children went insane. They quickly dropped their shoes and heavy coats and chased after her. Harry had not laughed so much in years.
He entered the tent and shifted to his dark wolf form and chased Hermione's form. The magical kitten jumped on his tail, which made Harry yelp. Lily detached the cub and chided her, "Now Athena, stop hurting my daddy, he will not hurt Cinnamon,"
Athena meowed, blinked and, as though she understood every word, she detached and sat on her haunches. Lily, smiled and said, "Good, now apologize and let's get back to Daddy and pretty Hermione,"
Athena blinked and began bathing herself, she would apologize when ready and not a minute sooner. The wolves whined and continued running, the kids followed and Athena got up and followed, the place was new and wonderful.
As the day gave in and turned into evening. Tilly and Kreacher helped the children bathe and change into warm comfy clothes. Harry fired the grill and shared some of his cooking skills as he prepared a steak dinner, and a Caesar salad and Hermione brought out the marshmallows, chocolate, and Graham Crackers for the smores. Athena loved steak and decided to patch things up with Harry by rubbing her face to his. Harry said, "I know Athena, you're sorry, and you were only protecting your human, but I'm not the bad one, and if I do hurt her, you have every right to maul me, but first I'll help you sharpen your teeth and claws, alright?"
It was a good thing, the sun was going down and Hermione was pretending to not listen to Harry as he made peace with her cat, because, Merlin helped her, all of her defenses were melting as though she was on the grill herself.
Later a bonfire was lit, and Harry's kids were asleep in their beds, inside the tent. Harry noticed that Hermione looked as though the firelight painted her in gold.
Something inside Harry, that sounded a lot like Luna's voice, told him to get to it and stop with the bashful attitude, no matter how intimidating the golden Amazon looked.
"Hermione, how did you find Lily?"
Hermione looked straight into his eyes and understood, this was the hero of the wizarding world and the heartbroken father coalescing into one man who just wanted the truth. She nodded and replied as best to her experience.
"I was walking back home. It had been one of those days; You know? Those mediocre days that you want to erase from your memory. I couldn't wait to get home, have a soak, and forget that I was the oddity. The unwanted mudblood hussy that was out to destroy marriages" answered Hermione.
"What?" asked Harry. Horrified that anyone could treat this female with anything other than respect. He looked at her, how vulnerable her eyes turned and a sad smile crowned her features.
"Oh, yes, Harry, while you are the darling of the media, I'm on the opposite spectrum, 'in regards to me, the word on the street proclaims,' I'm the spinster, that couldn't bag a good wizard in Hogwarts. Instead, apparently, I had to work in a brothel before the goblins decided I was one of their own and hired me for Gringotts potion stirring." Said Hermione with a tired sigh.
Hermione noticed how Harry flinched at her self-description. Then, Harry's memory got him to reminisce about his Hogwarts years. Oh boy, the wizarding world was so disappointing with all of its prejudice. He wasn't ignorant, and now in the flesh, another victim of gossip. Crap, he felt like hugging her, but decided against it, until she unloaded her memory and just nodded to the sad reality.
Hermione resumed her tale.
"In any case, I was walking back home, and I noticed an odd sight, a small figure fidgeting on a sidewalk. I got close and realized it was a child. She was dirty and scared, stepping closer I met her and asked if she needed help. She immediately hugged me and said she wanted her daddy. I could have taken her to St. Mungo's, however, if I wanted to get a valid trace of her heritage, Gringotts was a better choice. I took her to the healing center and asked for the familial test to get her back to her parents, but then Madame Bones appeared, and you next, and, you know what happened after that."
Harry nodded and looked at her hands softly rubbing against one another, he took her hands and kissed them. Which, again took Hermione by surprise as no one dared touch her without her consent. Then again, looking back, Harry only hugged her when he realized she had returned his baby back to him. Harry smiling at his kids, Harry blushing after his glasses got fixed and now Harry praising her hands as his eyes relayed what his speech said next.
"I just want to say, on behalf of wizarding England, I'm sorry Hermione. It seems that the wizarding world here is stuck in the Victorian era, you are in so many ways the stuff of nightmares to these idiots who so easily judge you. I mean, here you stand, independent, intelligent, self-made, and untamed. They're afraid of powerful witches, and you might be the one that will lead the revolution." Said, Harry.
Hermione smiled and wondered if hugging Harry back would be a good idea, his skin against hers felt fine. She decided to be bold and again raised her hand to his cheek and replied.
"You don't have to apologize, Harry. I know, in some cases, it got so pathetic that in order to ignore me, some women started talking about you. So believe it or not, I knew about your latest romantic escapades, meals, and broken engagements. Oh Merlin, even Lily's missing status, I felt like hexing those harpies. Seriously, there are a variety of topics, not just freaking Harry Potter, gah!"
Harry felt as though his magic was about to be unleashed. The bonfire flared, the waves crashed with more ease as a sea breeze cleared the skies and the stars broke out as the vault in the heavens displayed their light in ethereal beauty.
Harry closed his eyes. If he didn't place himself at a distance, he was going to kiss her.
Hermione noticed Harry's change and felt that she had offended Harry, she added. "Oh no, now I've done it, I got my foot in my mouth, I'm sorry Harry, I didn't mean to offend you."
She took a step closer and noticed Harry's magic was rolling on his skin as water. His eyes were dark and his nostrils were dilated as though he was taking all scents into account. Hermione shivered.
Harry lowered his gaze, and in a guttural voice, he said. "I, I think you should step away, otherwise I will not hesitate and declare."
"What?" Asked Hermione with eloquence.
"Listen to your magic, what does it whisper to you?" Harry asked.
Hermione blinked and then closed her eyes, after a moment her magic began rolling on her skin, and she knew the wizard in front of her meant every word. For her own magic, embraced the power he projected and gave it back to the earth. She heard of the myths, of creation and destruction, how gods and mortals joined to rejoice in their shared cores, she blushed at the intensity in his eyes, like perfect stones of crystal jade they beckoned to fall into the abyss, at the bottom he waited and would catch her.
He then added,
"This is why all those witches hate you. You see, they don't hate you but envy your essential magic. A power so strong that holds the promise of a great lineage and a loving mate and I... gods! I want to court you and convince you that I'm the mate that will provide stability, kindness, and a safe haven. Really, it's taking every ounce of self-control not to move and kiss you before I tear your clothes off and make you mine, mark you, and put a child on your belly, for Merlin's sake, I just met you!"
Just breathing was difficult around him, but Hermione was not going to back off, she trembled as she accommodated inside his arms in a loving embrace.
"Harry, I just met you too and my magic is telling me the same thing, but why would you want an annoying know-it-all?"
Harry heard the question, felt her body close to his, the perfume in her hair, the soft breath, and her lips closing on his face, and realized she really believed herself not worthy because she was too swotty and bookish. He wanted to laugh and cry again. He closed his eyes hard and remembered what it was to be a little boy with no clue about his destiny and replied.
"For the same reasons you would want a scrawny myopic hotshot," he raised her chin and softly kissed her.
It was then that Hermione experienced a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, and it was that her brain had no more coherent thoughts and words, as magic embraced the two souls and fitted them in perfect harmony.
Morning came, and Hermione tried to make sense of what was going on. She could remember getting kissed by the heartthrob extraordinaire Harry Potter last night. At the moment, though, she could not figure out why, she couldn't move.
Hermione raised her neck and noticed that she had Athena and the Potter children on her chest and the black wolf at her feet. She had taken the role of a glorified human-shaped pillow. She yawned and stretched out before calling her house-elf. "Tilly?"
"Mistress called Tilly?"
"Yes, do me a favor, start breakfast, and call everyone for the meal, will you?"
"Tilly will, mistress," said the elf, and two minutes later the magical aide said. "Breakfast is ready, come and get it!"
The children were groggy and dispersed, while Athena jumped down with grace. The onyx wolf with emerald eyes stretched yawned and moved to place his head on Hermione's chest and lulled to slumber listening to her heart.
He then shifted to human, and, and Hermione knew she was in a dilemma. She realized she wanted to have her merry way with the man who was now trusting her with his rest.
She berated herself in silence. She felt like such a pervert. A monster for wanting to rip his clothes off, secure his hands and ankles and mark her claim. She tried to move and prayed to whatever was out there, to give her more self-control.
"You know that I can hear you thinking?" asked Harry in a low voice. He smiled, as he realized Hermione's perfume became mixed with a spike of desire. He knew how her face blushed now. Her heartbeat increased, and she moved her body to run from the bed and him. Oh, yes, Harry understood this woman wanted him and for the first time in a while, he was delighted with the attention. So he raised his eyes and stared at her, smiling, waiting for her to reply to his question.
"Harry I, I uh, you know? This is unfair. I'm only human and you're very attractive. I would be lying if I said I felt nothing being embraced by you… so, can, can you do me a favor and try to keep your gorgeous body and magic away? Otherwise, I will jump you, and to hell with sensibility! I will treat you like a good drink of water after a long journey through the desert, understood?"
Tilly felt Hermione's magic reacting to Harry's mating call and realized that the children and the familiar needed to be elsewhere. She snapped her fingers and placed a sound barrier and took the children like Hamelin's pied piper out to have breakfast at the beach.
Meanwhile, on Hermione's bed.
Again, he felt like crying and raging. Instead, he closed his eyes, slid the cover off her body, and observed how her skin was a perfect shade of dusky pink, as he gently and slowly unbuttoned her shift and uncovered her body. Hermione's face blushed beautifully as her nude body was revealed. Harry then followed and took his own clothes off. Hermione stared a bit dazed and a bit nervous. In a way mesmerized by the quiet exchange of fabric sliding off of the two. She could not move, nor would she, as that man, opened not just his robes, but his heart. She felt like crying, in gratitude, so at last her question was answered. -Yeah, this is why it took so long, I was waiting for you, waiting oh so long! And now you're here… how did I get so lucky?- Was the new question? She raised her hand to hold his face, and he added in a guttural voice as the last of his self-control slipped,
"I've let no one be this close, not even my late wife. My magic was harmful to her. You, you're like a drug. From the moment I first held you, it was like my magic and yours were magnets, my body wanted you… you overwhelm me, I cannot force myself on you. But for now, can I hold you?"
Hermione kissed his forehead and smiled. "Annoying prat, you had to have the last word, didn't you?"
They kissed and became unaware of the bright light that enveloped them. The next moment in Gringotts the Book of souls confirmed a new bonding. The names in gold. Harry J Potter and Hermione J Potter.