A/N: Here's chapter 4. This chapter will cover most of the holiday in Italy. Then if I don't finish with the trip in this chapter I'll finish it in chapter 5 and also try to get through as much of the summer as I can in chapter 5 as well.
I hadn't planned to do so many chapters covering the summer break before getting into 6th year but that's the creative process for you. I just keep having too many cool ideas pop into my head and I just have to add it.
Thanks for all the favs and follows so far. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of the story so far.
I went in and corrected some spelling errors, I'm working on chapter 5 and should have it posted in the next few days.
Chapter 4: A Roman Holiday and a Confession of Love?
Hermione awoke early the next day and quickly got up, showered and dressed and made sure her suitcase was packed and ready to go.
Then she went and found her parents already up and ready as well. So they all took their luggage and headed out of the room. Her parents headed down to the lobby to check out but Hermione decided to see if Harry and the others were ready yet.
She knocked on the door to their room and Remus answered, "good morning Hermione. I'm guessing you and you're parents are all ready to go?"
She answered, "yeah we are, they just went down to get checked out and are gonna grab breakfast in the hotel dining room. I came to see if you're all ready yet."
Remus said, "well Dora and I are both ready but Sirius and Harry are both still asleep. Why don't you go get Harry up while I get Sirius."
She agreed and went in leaving her suitcase just inside the door. She went to the door of the room that Remus said was Harry's and she knocked lightly.
When there was no answer she quietly opened it and looked in to see Harry still dozing. She crept in and up to his bedside. She looked down at him and couldn't help but admire how cute and peaceful he looked while sleeping.
She also noticed that he was sleeping in just his boxers and had kicked his blanket off in his sleep. She felt a little embarrassed but admired the look of his body. He really built up a nice physique over the years playing quidditch.
And he now had some very nice muscles that she thought looked very fetching. She was about to shake his shoulder to wake him up but smirked and instead leaned down and planted a kiss on his forehead.
He stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He groggily said, "Mione, what are you doing in here?"
Then he realized he was wearing nothing but his underwear and blushed deeply while avoiding eye contact.
She answered, "well it's time to get up and ready to go. Everyone's meeting down in the hotel dining room for breakfast before we head to the airport. I'll wait in here for you while you shower and get ready and help with getting your suitcase packed to save time."
Harry nodded sheepishly and grabbed his clothes for the day and headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Hermione started to gather the few things of Harry's that he hadn't packed yet. When she grabbed the shirt he was wearing yesterday she blushed and pressed it up to her face.
She inhaled, taking in the unique scent that she could only describe as just Harry. A mix that smelled of windswept grass, the smell of broom handle polish, and a slightly musky scent of light sweat, all rolled into one. It was her favorite smell in the world.
She smiled dreamily and finished packing Harry's suitcase. Then she sat on his bed and waited for him to finish in the bathroom.
While she waited she resolved that by the end of this trip she'd muster all of her Gryffindor courage and finally tell Harry that she loved him. A big smile adorned her face as she thought about it, thinking of several perfect scenario's.
As the plane made it's final decent towards the runway of the Leonardo Da Vinchi airport in Rome Harry marveled at the view of the city he was seeing out the plane's window.
Hermione was seated next to him with her eyes shut tight while she clenched the armrest if her seat with one hand and Harry's hand with her other one.
She was muttering under her breath, "I don't like this, oh I really don't like this."
She'd been doing the same thing for almost the entire three hour flight.
Harry looked at her and smirked, remembering her saying the exact same thing during their flight on Buckbeak in their third year when they saved Sirius.
He gave her hand a comforting squeeze and said, "it's alright Mione, We're about to land and I'm right here. You have nothing to be afraid of."
She warily opened her eyes and looked at Harry. She gave a thankful smile and returned the squeeze of his hand. Then she closed her eyes again but didn't seem quite as afraid as she had been.
Harry couldn't help staring at her beautiful face as he had been many times during the flight. He especially stared at her soft, inviting lips as she smiled when he gave her hand another comforting squeeze.
He so badly wanted to kiss those lips and drive all of her fears of flying away completely. But he simply offered her the comfort of his presence and his hand in hers.
The plane finally touched down with a lurch onto the runway. When it did Hermione let out a grateful sigh at being back on the ground and opened her eyes and beamed at Harry.
"Thank you for bearing with me for the whole flight. I just really hate flying. I don't think I would have been nearly as calm, as little as that was, if you hadn't held my hand the entire time and kept reassuring me." Hermione said.
Harry smiled and replied, "anytime Mione, maybe one day you'll get over your aversion to flying and I can take you for a ride on my Firebolt."
Hermione smirked and said, "maybe, but I wouldn't hold your breath."
After they got off the plane and collected their luggage once inside the airport they all took a couple of cabs to the Da Vinchi hotel and got checked in.
Sirius had booked a large penthouse suite with five rooms that they'd all be staying in. Harry, Hermione, and Sirius all had their own rooms and Mr. and Mrs. Granger had a room to their selves as did Remus and Tonks.
After they got settled into their rooms Sirius took them all out to a fantastic lunch at a café near the Roman Colosseum.
After they finished eating they went sight seeing at the Colosseum and Hermione spouted out several historical facts about it. Harry grinned at her knowledge. Her intelligence and passion for history was one of the many things he loved about her.
As they toured the place Remus showed them a part of the Colosseum most tourists never saw. There was an entire section dedicated to wizard duels that were once held there.
They all looked at the moving tapestries depicting incredible magical duels with fascination.
After that they did a bit more sight seeing around the city, checking out a few churches and historical landmarks.
Then they all returned to the hotel to get ready for dinner at an expensive restaurant that Sirius had made reservations for.
The dinner was excellent but Harry had been too distracted by how incredible Hermione looked in her little black dress to really concentrate on the food.
After dinner they all returned to the hotel and headed to bed early to sleep off any jetlag they felt.
The next day they began a full tour of the city which continued through the week. They even toured the Vatican and Harry and Hermione were surprised to find out that there were actually many wizard bishops and priests that served there.
On Saturday night Remus and Tonks went off on a date and Sirius took the Grangers out to a winery. But Sirius had helped Harry plan out a perfect night for him and Hermione.
They had made reservations at a restaurant that also had a dance floor for ballroom style dancing. Harry had planned this because he hoped to make up for not dancing with Hermione at the Yule Ball in their fourth year.
He truly regretted not dancing with her that night, and he regretted not asking her to the ball himself when he had the chance.
When Hermione had asked him where they were going for dinner he had simply told her it was a surprise and simply to dress nice.
She certainly didn't disappoint, she came out of her room wearing the same little black dress that she'd worn the first night in Rome.
It hugged her figure nicely, showing off her curves. It had spaghetti straps with a plunging neck line that showed off a fair amount of cleavage. The hem of the dress had a slanted cut where one side went down to just below her left knee and the other side just below her right thigh, and it was slit up the left side so she was showing off a lot of skin.
She was also wearing matching black strappy heels. And her hair was styled like she'd worn it the night of the Yule Ball, sleek and hanging in waves over her shoulder.
Harry found himself quite at a loss for words as he stood there in his black Armani suit with a white dress shirt and a scarlet tie.
He managed to stutter out, "wow Hermione…, you look,… yeah, wow!"
Hermione smirked and said, "thank you Harry, you look pretty wow yourself."
Harry finally managed to gather his thoughts and held out his arm for Hermione to take and said, "shall we my lady? Our chariot awaits."
Hermione smiled and took his arm and they left the suite, locking the door behind them. They headed downstairs and out the front doors to find their ride waiting for them.
Harry was going to opt for a limo but at Sirius's suggestion had went with an open horse drawn carriage instead. He knew it was the right move when Hermione beamed at him in excitement.
He helped her into the carriage and told the driver to go. As the carriage rolled along Hermione said, "this is amazing Harry. With the night already starting like this I can't wait to see what's next. It almost feels like a date, this is pretty romantic after all."
Harry blushed and said, "well you're my best friend and I wanted to treat you to a wonderful night. And I guess it is kind of a date, if that's okay with you?"
Hermione smiled wide and said, "of course it's okay with me. I'm happy to go on a date with my best friend. It is technically the first date I've ever had. I don't count the Yule Ball since I only agreed to go to the ball with Victor to be nice. Since the person I wanted to ask me never got up the courage to do so."
Harry was surprised. He said, "really, you didn't fancy Victor? And you didn't go as a couple?"
Hermione shook her head and answered, "no I did not nor do I fancy Victor Krum. And we most certainly were not a couple. We just went as friends. Though Victor did admit he fancied me but I turned him down gently."
Harry smiled at that and inside he felt a surge of glee that Hermione never liked Victor as he'd assumed and that they were never together. Though he did wonder who she had wanted to ask her to the ball. A big part of him hoped it was him.
He asked, "so you and Krum never kissed or anything?"
He barely masked the deep hope that the answer was no.
Hermione shook her head again and said, "no Harry, I did not kiss Victor. Though he did kiss my hand. I've never kissed anyone."
Harry's insides were dancing in glee at hearing her say she'd never kissed anyone. He decided to come clean with her about his own kissing experience, or more accurately the lack thereof.
He said, "well that's no big deal, I've never kissed anyone either."
Hermione gasped in surprise, "but I thought you kissed Cho last year just before Christmas when you and her stayed back after the last D.A. lesson of the year?"
Harry shook his head and answered, "nope, Cho tried to kiss me but I gently turned her down. I didn't really fancy her. Yeah I had a small bit of a crush on her in fourth year but I'd gotten over it soon after it even started.
I realized she's not really my type at all. She's pretty yes but kind of lacking in other areas. She doesn't have much of an original personality. Too much of a gossip and everything."
Hermione then said, "but you told Ron and I that you kissed her. And then you took her on that date to Hogsmeade."
Harry got a guilty look on his face and said, "Yeah, I'm really sorry that I lied to you. I mainly did it for Ron's benefit, since he kept giving me crap about who'd be the first to kiss a girl. But I shouldn't have lied to you.
And I didn't actually go on a date with Cho. I went with her to the village yes, but we separated after getting there. Like I said I didn't really fancy her and I didn't want to lead her on and hurt her feelings.
Even if I had wanted to go on a date with her. She still wasn't over Cedric and still cried all the time. She was way too depressing for me to want to date her."
Hermione smiled and said, "well at least you were nice about it and didn't lead her on.
So I guess neither of us has ever kissed anyone or been on a date before. I guess we'll both just have to try to make the most out of this first date."
Harry smiled and nodded and then said, "I almost forgot to thank you."
"For what?" Hermione asked.
"For convincing me to drop Divination and switch to Ancient Runes last year. I hated having Trelaney predicting my death every class.
Ancient Runes may be more challenging but I like it. It seems that I actually have a knack for it. Professor McGonagall was certainly pleased when I told her I wanted to switch classes and had Professor Babbling test me to see if I knew enough to catch up with everyone.
Plus I never would have passed if you hadn't tutored me. So again thank you."
Hermione smiled and said, "you're welcome Harry, anytime."
As the ride continued they chatted about this and that until they finally arrived at a restaurant called Italia Extrodinairé.
Harry stepped down from the carriage and held out his hand to help Hermione down right after. Then she looped her arm in his and he escorted her inside.
Harry told the hostess that they had a reservation for two under the name Potter. She then led them through the restaurant to a VIP section were they had their own private booth. The VIP section even had it's own private dance floor where a few couples were dancing to music provided by a band playing a mix of violins, cellos, flutes, and violas.
Harry let Hermione slide into the booth and then he joined her. They perused the menu and Harry ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo while Hermione went with the baked Ziti. Harry also asked for a bottle of wine since they were old enough to drink in Italy.
After the delicious meal and a couple glasses of wine each, Harry turned to Hermione.
He asked, "Hermione, would you care to dance?"
Hermione smiled and asked, "really, I didn't think you cared for dancing?"
Harry grinned sheepishly and said, "well I didn't use to but I actually asked Neville to give me some lessons as well as McGonagall and I actually got pretty good at it. Plus I have to make up for being such a prat and not dancing with you at the Yule Ball."
Hermione gave him a radiant smile that made his heart flutter and said, "I'd love to Harry."
Harry got up and took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Just as they took their place the band began a song for a waltz and Harry smirked remembering the opening dance for the Yule Ball.
He placed his left hand on Hermione's waist and took her left hand in his right as she placed her right hand on his shoulder.
They started dancing and Hermione's face lit up at seeing how good a dancer Harry really was. He was truly thankful for the lessons now.
As they danced and waltzed and twirled Hermione said, "well you're certainly making up for the ball now. This is kind of like our own private ball."
Harry grinned and nodded. They continued the dance until it concluded and then the band switched to another song, a slow song.
Hermione blushed and made to move off the floor but Harry grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back.
Harry asked, "why don't we have another dance?"
Hermione just smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he did the same to her waist. They danced for awhile with Hermione resting her head on his chest and he rested his chin on her head.
After a few minutes if that Harry decided that this was the perfect moment and he mustered every ounce of his Gryffindor courage.
He leaned down and whispered in Hermione's ear, "I love you Hermione."
She froze for a moment and pulled her head back with a look of complete surprise on her face. It lasted for a few seconds and Harry was about to start panicking when her face changed to a look of pure joy.
She smiled brightly and said, "well drat, you beat me to it Harry. I was determined to tell you tonight, but I was going to wait until the night ended. But you just had to one up me.
Oh well I'll just tell you now, I love you too Harry. I love you with all my heart."
Harry's insides felt like they were filled with a hundred patronus's. He was happier than he'd ever been in his life at hearing Hermione say that she loved him back. He smiled the biggest smile ever and then he leaned his head towards hers as he reached up and cupped her cheeks in both hands.
He brought his lips to hers and when they met it was like lightning was shooting through them, fusing them together. He felt every nerve in his body come alive. He couldn't believe how soft and perfect her lips were and how amazing they tasted.
The kiss was soft, tender, sweet, and absolutely perfect. When they finally broke the kiss after about a minute they were both grinning from ear to ear. They rested their foreheads against one another in total bliss.
Harry whispered, "you have no idea how long I've waited to kiss you Hermione. And it was a thousand times better than I imagined."
Hermione smirked and said, "that goes double for me. I've dreamed of kissing you ever since you saved me from the troll in our first year."
Harry said in surprise, "really, that long? We'll the first time I realized that I fancied you was in our third year. And when you punched Malfoy you looked so hot, so badass that I desperately wanted to kiss you."
Hermione asked, "then why did you wait so long, until now to kiss me?"
Harry bashfully said, "well I was afraid that you didn't feel the same way about me that I did about you. And in fourth year I thought you fancied Krum, and then I thought you might have fancied Ron. And I didn't want to get in the way of you being happy, even if it was with someone else.
Plus I didn't want to chance destroying our friendship. Because as much as I love you and want to be with you. I'd rather have you as simply my best friend than not in my life at all."
Hermione had tears in her eyes and said, "oh Harry, you are the most selfless, caring person I've ever known. And I want you to understand something perfectly clear.
I love you, I love you beyond words. You are the only man I have ever or will ever love. I've never even thought of another boy. You are the one my heart belongs to and that's been the case since second year.
It was then that my crush on you turned into me being completely and deeply in love with you. I very badly wanted to tell you for so long but I didn't for very similar reasons as to why you didn't tell me.
I thought you liked Cho in fourth year and this last year. And I didn't want to ruin our friendship either."
Harry grinned and said, "well it's pretty interesting that we both held back for pretty much the same reasons. It seems we tend to think alike quite a bit. I guess we were just made for each other."
Hermione beamed at him and said, "I couldn't agree more. Oh Harry, I love you so much."
"And I love you Mione, I love you more than anything in the world. So I guess, does this mean that you'll be… um, that you'll be my, g-g-girlfriend?" Harry finally managed to stutter out.
Hermione answered, "of course Harry. I've wanted to be your girlfriend for a long time now, boyfriend."
Harry's smiled grew even more. He couldn't believe it, he'd finally told Hermione how he felt and she actually loved him back. And now they were boyfriend and girlfriend. He was so happy that he was sure that at that moment he could have cast a Patronus powerful enough to fend off every last dementor in the world.
Hermione leaned up and took his lips with hers once again and Harry lost himself in the kiss. This kiss lasted for almost five minutes and would have turned into a full snogging session if the happy young couple hadn't remembered that they were out in public.
They broke the kiss, both of them in a state of pure and utter bliss. They danced for awhile longer, simply holding one another tightly and then they finally went back to their table and decided to order dessert.
They both got hot fudge sundaes with a slice of treacle tart. After they finished eating Harry paid the bill, leaving a generous tip for the waitress.
Then they went outside and Harry helped Hermione back into the carriage that was waiting. Harry asked the driver to take them on a tour around the city since neither he nor Hermione were quite ready for the night to end.
They enjoyed the ride for a little bit, enjoying the sights and sounds of Rome at night. But pretty soon Harry couldn't help himself and proceeded to kiss Hermione again.
They completely lost themselves in one another, completely oblivious to anything around them. And before they knew it an hour had passed and they were back at the hotel. They had been kissing pretty much the entire time, exploring each other's mouths with their tongues.
They were both sporting swollen lips and glazed expressions with wide smiles. Harry managed to come around enough to help Hermione down from the carriage. Then he gave the driver a very large tip and took Hermione's arm in his and escorted her into the hotel and up to their suite.
As they entered they found Sirius along with Hermione's parents sitting in the living room area watching TV.
The adults looked up when they came in and Sirius asked, "so Harry, did you two have a nice time?"
Harry smiled and nodded. Hermione spoke up and said, "oh it was absolutely perfect, and so romantic."
She let out a dreamy, pleased sigh and snuggled into Harry's side, laying her head on his shoulder.
Hermione's mum smiled knowingly and asked, "so did anything happen, were there any revelations?"
Both teens blushed and Hermione squealed out, "Harry told me he loves me and I told him I love him. There was quite a bit of kissing. And we are now officially together, and very, very happy. Does that answer your question mum?"
All three adults smiled widely and let out a cheer. They got up and came over and took turns embracing the teens and congratulating them.
Mr. Granger did pull Harry to the side for a minute while Mrs. Granger eagerly had Hermione tell her all about their date.
Mr. Granger said, "Harry, I know you're a wonderful young man and that you care for Hermione a great deal. So I'm not going to give you the whole stern dating my daughter talk.
I'm not gonna threaten you about not hurting her because from everything she's told us about you and from my own observations this last week I don't think you could ever intentionally hurt her. I can already see how much you love her and she you. You've been through a lot together and formed a bond stronger than I can even imagine.
So I'll only ask this, take care of her and do all you can to make her happy."
Harry smiled and shook Mr. Granger's hand when he offered it saying, "that you have my word on sir. I promise with everything that I am that I will always protect Hermione, and that I will always do anything and everything to make her happy. I will always put her first. I've loved her for a long time and now that I've somehow gotten lucky enough to have her love me and want to be with me as well I'm never going to let her go.
She is my life, she has been for a long time even if it was just as my best friend. So I will always do everything in my power to keep her by my side."
Mr. Granger smiled and nodded and then he surprised Harry by giving him a hug. Harry happily returned the hug before they returned to the others. They all stayed up a little while longer and when Remus and Tonks returned Sirius wasted no time in telling them the good news about Harry and Hermione finally becoming a couple.
Moony and Tonks congratulated them, giving them both hugs.
Tonks teased Harry, "you've got yourself quite the witch there Harry. And with you both being prefects now I'm sure you'll really enjoy those late night patrols around the castle. You know, maybe investigating some broom cupboards."
She waggled her eyebrows and smirked. Harry blushed scarlet at the teasing but couldn't help smiling as he thought that Tonks's suggestion did sound rather appealing.
After all the congratulating and teasing were over with, the adults all headed to bed. Then Harry walked Hermione to her bedroom door.
She turned to him and said, "good night Harry, sleep well and have sweet dreams Love."
Harry smiled and said, "I'm sure I will, especially since I'll most likely be dreaming about you."
Hermione blushed and flashed him a brilliant smile. She said, "that's very sweet Harry. And I'm sure I'll be dreaming about you as well."
Hermione leaned in and gave him a soft, sweet kiss goodnight and then turned and went into her room, closing her door behind her.
Harry headed to his own room, a big grin on his face that never left his face as he changed and got into bed. He laid there for awhile just thinking back on the perfect night. Remembering the carriage ride, the dancing, telling Hermione he loved her and the pure elation he felt when she said that she loved him as well.
He finally drifted off to sleep with a smile still firmly in place. And sure enough Hermione played a rather large role in his dreams that night.
A/N:
Well there you have it, the beginning of a beautiful love story with our heroes finally confessing their love to each other and becoming a couple. And of course some good natured teasing from Tonks.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I could have played it out longer before having Harry and Hermione get together but I just couldn't wait to write it out.
Harmony is my favorite pairing and I really enjoyed writing out the whole date sequence. Please fav and follow this story if you liked it and drop a review.