Until The Power of My Soul Dies

by before.eternity

He never knew how much he needed her until they almost took her away. She never realized how much she needed him until she had no strength of her own. They were each other's pillar, their light in the darkness. Together, they just had to hold on.

This was his greatest nightmare. He was in shock as he stared at his hands. How could this happen? Didn't they win? They won and she had given him his family back, they had all made plans and for what? For her to leave him? He could hear screaming, where was it coming from? Oh. It was him. No. NO. NO! She couldn't do this to him. He flung his arms out, swinging as he felt arms grabbing onto him. He sobbed. This hurts. THIS HURTS. How had he been so blind? To not see how she had been suffering? No! She wouldn't do this, she was too strong. Someone, he knew, someone had done this to her. Someone tried to take her away from him.

"Harry, please."

"G-Get a-away." He sobbed.

"Son."

"FUCK YOU! NO LET GO! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

The people around him just looked at him sadly. He had curled into himself, crying and screaming. He was covered in blood, her blood. His family cried with him. That girl, she had risked life and magic to bring them back. Did she lose something when she did? She had seemed so happy, so strong.

"Son, she'll pull through."

"Why?" He whimpered.

"Don't leave me. Please. I need you." He repeated.

Suddenly, chaos erupted. Aurors came in, surrounding a large family. Their wands out and pointed at them. Harry's head snapped

up, he looked almost feral at the news. He trusted them. They did this to her! Abused her, tore her down. They cursed her! They made her do this! To escape. The scene flashing through his brain. Finding the notes, the research and his heart dropping at what she had written. He had run through the house screaming her name. His family had come to his screams for her. Finally finding where she was. He had heard her crying, sobbing. Pain. She was in pain. Not even at Malfoy Manor had she sounded like this. It scared him. How could it not, she sounded broken. He pleaded with her, to open the door. He could hear the water running. It was overflowing as it spilled under the door. He screamed her name, banging on the door. He heard her whisper and his heart about stopped. She had whispered I'm sorry and help me. When she whispered his name. He was frantic, throwing himself against it until it shattered. By his

physical assault on the door or by his magic, he didn't care. What he saw was seared in his brain. She lay on the floor, against the bathtub. She had slit her wrists, up her arms. His yelling must have scared everyone. He had cradled her in his arms, pleading for her. He remembered trying to stop the bleeding, pushing everyone away. Watching as they loaded her on the floating stretcher. The feel of letting her hand leaving his as they took her away. They would pay for what they did to her. He didn't even have his wand as he took slow steps toward them. His magic was out of control. Pictures and lamps exploding. Lights flickered and darkness crawling in. The walls cracking because of the pressure. His words cut them deeply. They were dead to him, all of them. Guilty by association. He threw their love back in their faces. The pressure from his magic forcing them all to their knees. He promised. Promised that if she died, they

would pay with their lives. Every single one of them, regardless of age and lineage. All of them. Their kin, their children. Their blood would die out if she left him. He stared at their daughter, sneer on his face as she begged him, cried out that it was because she loved him. She was worthless. She was disgusting. She was used goods he would never want. She was nothing compared to her. He threw her love back in her face. She tormented someone innocent because he would never love her. He would never love someone so hateful, so evil and selfish. He verbally cut her so deeply that the tears stopped and fear flashed across her face. He looked as he did the day of the final battle. Except this time, his witch was not standing by his side. For that, they would all be punished. They would all fear.

No auror stopped him when he beat the boy

bloody and broken. Stupid idiot was angry that she didn't want him. He was angry that she wanted him, that she never abandoned him, that she put him first. That she fought so hard for him. That she would put her life on the line to bring him happiness. Stupid idiot tried to force her to be with him, poisoned her. Ran to his mummy to help him. They tried to ruin her. His anger was not appeased. His magic was out for vengeance and blood. He let it talk for him. He let magic judge them. No one could stop him. No one wanted to stop him. He stripped them of their magic, slowly and painfully. He made them feel all the pain they gave her. He made them feel all the fear that she felt. He left them sobbing on the floor. Broken like they did to her.

The mediwizard came out and immediately stopped at the scene in front of him. He had heard of the rumors that their savior had lost

control. As a healer, he always put his all into healing his patient. As a human, he worked even harder to save lives. He didn't want to be the person to tell him that they lost her. He focused, as scared as he was. He couldn't be the one that destroyed their savior. He couldn't be the one who stopped healing the girl who gave everything up for a world who had always deserted her until they needed her. He couldn't let her youth die. She had fought so hard for all of them. The very least he could do was the same.

"For Miss Granger."

Oh fuck. His eyes. He stood tall, he had to, even though he was shaking.

"Take me to her." He demanded.

The mediwizard nodded, turned and walked

away. This man was dangerous, he could feel the magic swirling around him. He let him, his family to a private room. There were many times in his career when he couldn't hold back the emotion, this was the hardest ones. To watch this young man rush toward his patient. To see his hands shake as he cried in her chest. This was hard. Watching him hurt. Even with magic to help heal, she had done this to herself. He spoke of his findings, the amount of potions and spells. He spoke about her magic, about how she must have fought so hard and for so long. Years he told them. She had been fighting for years, it was surprising that she had the power to take all those death eaters down. He told them of what they did but that now, it was her fight to wake up. The only bright spot was that there were two lights, souls he told them, that were giving her energy. He said that these two were fighting just as hard as she was. He

didn't fight the young man when he refused to leave, didn't say a damn thing about policy. He just watched, his heart breaking as he listened to the sobs, the pleas for her to just wake up. They watched as he crawled into her bed. As he wrapped himself around her, crying into her neck. He pleaded, begged. The healers cried with him. The aurors cried with him. His family cried with him. The mediwizard wouldn't be surprised if the whole nation cried with him. He was told that the family who was responsible for the way she was had begged for protection and received nothing, they wanted someone to heal what this man had done to them. No one would protect them, their savior denounced them. It was their family that did this, their blood was rotten. They would get no support from anyone. The loss of magic would slowly kill them.

"Will she awaken?"

"Lord Black, I don't want you to get your hopes up."

"Don't, don't say that. Pl-Please don't s-say that."

They heard him crying. This was heartbreaking.

"Please, she wo-won't leave me."

"Of course Heir Potter. I apologize."

"Remus, c-can you do legillimency? She's probably afraid. I-I should go to her."

"Harry. . ."

"Pl-please."

"I'll look up how to do that Harry."

"Okay." He whispered.

As his eyes closed, he snuggled tighter against her, his best friend. He didn't know how much he needed her until this happened. What had gone so wrong? He should be happy right? He was happy for a while, especially when she had brought his family to him. Pulling them one at a time out of the veil. He had been afraid because the moment Remus was tugged out, the last one, she had collapsed. She had smiled at him then just collapsed. He remembered yanking out of his parent's embrace toward her. He had carried her home. She had slept for almost a month, in his bed, because he couldn't bare to have her wake up alone. Not after everything she did for him, for his family. He sniffed at her, her scent always

calmed him down. He didn't know what he would do without her. He didn't think he could live his life without her. No, he knew for a fact that he couldn't live without her and he wouldn't even try. He put his hand over her heart, he needed to feel it.

"Harry." A voice whispered.

He was going crazy, he could hear her voice.

"Harry."

Nope! He wasn't moving, let him just lay beside her.

"Harry James! You get up right now!"

He sprung up, looking around. Only one person ever called his name like that. He cried out and hugged her. His hands shake as he cradles

her face. His eyes darting to take all of her in. He had always loved her eyes, bright and beautiful, amber. His fingertips traced her full, pouty lips. He watches as her eyes flutter at his soft and light touches. Is this a dream? If it is, he never wants to wake up. He knows what waits for him if he does. Emotional, he grabs her tightly and buries his face in her hair.

"I'm sorry Harry. I couldn't fight it."

"No, no. I should have known. You must have been so scared."

"It is horrifying. I didn't think family curses were so powerful. How evil theirs is."

Something about that made his brain itch. He has heard about a family who did this.

"Weasley or Prewett?"

"Prewett. I was in the way, she wanted me to die like a muggle, didn't want to get her hands dirty. The twins, they're trying to help me. You need to tell them to stop, they'll die before they reach me."

Anger and happiness. He was being pulled in two directions. He was happy to have those two, they're willing to die to help her. He would bring them into his family, they treated them both like family. Hermione would want him to protect her allies, her friends. On the other hand, he was furious. Hot and powerful anger flashed through his veins. As his power climbed, he was deaf to her calls, lost in his thoughts. He jerked in surprise as she cupped his face. Her concerned face staring into his. She was so beautiful. He leaned forward, letting his forehead rest upon

hers. Why hadn't he done anything about it? He covered her hands with his own, slowly dragging them down her arms. He pulled her closer to him. He pulled back. Gods, she was so beautiful. He tilted her chin up and kissed her. He had to kiss her. To feel her lips against his. He almost purred as she gasped before falling deeper into his embrace. He was bent down and knew he would hurt being in this position but he didn't care. He slanted his head just a bit, cradling her body against his. He loved hearing that little sigh as he kissed down her throat. He bit down, hard, when her nails dug deep into his back and shoulder. He felt himself break the skin and sucked at her throat in apology, nipped at her. Damn. She had sharp claws. He groaned when she licked and nibbled at his neck, she seemed timid as she did it though. He gripped her hips tighter and yanked her harder into him, his fingers gripping her sides. Perfect, she had bit down

on him and he loved it. There was no way he would let her leave him. Never.

"I need you little love. I need you to come home to me."

He shot up with a gasp. His family was still in the room. Fuck. Was that a dream? He looked at her and his eyes widened. She had a mark where he bit her. Pulling at the neckline of his shirt, he felt it. Laughing, he bent down and laid his head against hers. He promised that he would be right back, that he needed to do what she asked. He left his mother with her, making sure she promised to get him if she so much as twitched. With his family, he stood in front of the Weasley family. He saw the twins and they looked exhausted. He extended his hands out to them.

"Hermione told me to tell you that you need

to stop. That she feels thankful for your sacrifice but that it is Prewett magic, female magic, you'll kill yourselves before you can do anything."

"She's awake?" Fred asked.

"No. We spoke in a dream."

"You're mental! She wouldn't talk to you, she's supposed to love me!"

Harry smirked and pulled his shirt aside again. Every single person could see the marks on his skin. He hadn't had that before. His smile was vicious and practically feral as he listened to the wailing and the cursing.

"Still think she's not mine? She's only ever going to be mine."

He laughed, it was not pleasant.

"Fred, George. I offer you a place in my family. You cared and sacrificed your own magic, your souls, to give my Hermione a fighting chance."

The Weasley family just stared. Fred and George were in a state of complete shock. Harry was offering to save them. Save them from what their family had done. A way to escape the madness of their family.

"If it is too much, Remus and I are willing to offer you a place in our family instead."

It would be embarrassing to faint. Fred stood up and immediately went to hug Harry. He had felt such guilt that it was his family who had hurt them. He was embarrassed and he didn't know what to do to fix it.

"You can't take my sons!"

"Ahh, but we can Arthur. They have fought against your family magic, they are of age and they were invited. I'm afraid you cannot fight against it if they choose us."

"So, which one of you wants me? I'm probably a shit father though." Sirius said.

"You'd be a thousand times better. Promise. You came by three times a week just to check on us, just for us. Once a week, you'd ask if we needed anything. You made sure we ate. . ."

"That was all Hermione."

"You made sure that we didn't stay up late. . ."

"Again, Hermione."

"Gave us tips and ideas for the shop. . ."

"Hermione."

Fred and George looked at Harry in confusion.

"Yeah, that was all Hermione. Some because she complained that Sirius was in her way and the other because she worried about you. Your new products for women? Indulgence? That's all Hermione from when her mother used to take her to spas."

"Well fuck." George said.

"DO NOT USE. . ."

"Shut up! Aurors, why hasn't she been interrogated about her curse?!"

"Sir, they can't get up. You're magic is still tying them to the floor."

"We tried Harry but seriously? We can't fight against yours."

"Oh, oops. I want the whole family interrogated. Use any and all means necessary. Fred and George, you will stay here. Hermione's healer can help with the whatever it was she said you should do."

"You can't do this to me! I'm supposed to be your best mate!"

"No. You were never the best and now, you're nothing to me. You're nothing to Hermione. You abandoned us both during the hunt, only showing your face at Hogwarts like you'd been with us the whole time. You refused to help when she came up with the ritual to

bring back my parents, Sirius and Remus. I believe your words to her were that she was an upstart trying to get the spotlight. That she was wasting time and that you deserved all her attention. What did she say again? Oh yeah, fuck off. You're lucky she was still able to fight against your poisons. She fought it so much that it tried to kill her! She spent years trying to figure out how to counter it. If you had touched her, I would have gutted you where you stand."

Ronald Weasley stared in shock at what he was just told. He didn't know what was worse. To know that Harry, the boy who lived and the man who conquered, didn't consider him a friend and said he was nothing. Or Hermione, who didn't want him and wanted Harry. The girl who fought for years against the potions his mother and Dumbledore said would work. That she had rather kill herself than be with

him as if he was worse than death. His brothers had betrayed their family and were leaving it. His world was crumbling.

"Excuse me I need to speak to Mr. Potter! It's important."

Percy! Percy would talk sense into his friend. Would make him take his words back.

"Mr. Potter! I think I found something in my mother's secret lab! Can your healer look at this?"

What? What the fuck?!

"Percy. Why are you helping me instead of your family?" Harry asked softly.

He was touched. He had always ignored the man, had thought he was pompous. He had

never understood Hermione's friendship with him.

"What my family did was wrong. I, I can't be associated to them. Hermione helped me, she uh, she's going to be family soon. I owe her so much and I'm sorry Harry. I swear on my magic that I didn't know."

"Hermione helped you?" Sirius asked.

"Yes. During my seventh year when I was head boy. I was having problems between what was right and what was easy. To hide with my family or to fight. She uh, she reminded me that doing what was right was always more important than doing what was easy."

"Didn't you give Kingsley that list?" Remus asked.

"Yes, I did. Hermione asked if I would help with the aftermath of the war, especially when we won."

"PW List?" Harry asked surprised.

"Yes. Percy Weasley List. You know about it son?"

"Hermione spoke about it before the war even started! That was you? I was so angry in the beginning, it could have given a lot of light families problems."

"Not really. It was all dark families or those who betrayed the light. Hermione said she needed to know how the galleon was being exchanged. The information from the ministry to the people. Things like that. She gave me the list and I got the information."

Oh. Harry was surprised. Hermione never really opened up about the list, just that it was needed. But then, then good families had been brought in and questioned. He never thought about it but then again, he did tend to label people and it was cut and dry while Hermione believed that every person, while wanting to do good, had also done evil. He would have to ask her about it.

"Thank you Percy. Thank you for believing in Hermione at the risk of your own freedom and life."

"You're welcome. We'll be family one day, I'm marrying her cousin in a month."

Harry blushed at the implications but didn't say anything, it would be true. He looked at the photo and smiled. It was a family photo and Hermione was in the background. She

looked happy, her face up toward the sunlight.

"What did you find?" The mediwizard asked.

Percy handed him a book, it was the Prewett grimore. Harry immediately tagged it as evidence. He did not want them to have it back or anywhere near it. He peaked at the page Percy had opened. He saw Molly and Ginny fighting the aurors to get to it. Their faces looked desperate and fearful. Good! He wanted them to fear. They did this to Hermione. He was going to throw the full force of his house against theirs. He beckoned the twins over. He didn't need to include his family, they were all surrounding him anyway. He heard the healer mutter to himself and he could have sworn he heard the words 'desperate hags' and 'idiots' a few times. He saw that while it was a horrible curse that the

women of the Prewett house tried to use, it was easily broken. It made him feel vindicated that the curse would rebound and they would have to deal with the same horrors his Hermione had to. She fought for years! YEARS! Against this, against them. He was in awe because she was so powerful. Powerful even with having a part of her strength focused on this stupid curse, she had fought beside him. He wondered how powerful she would be when she was at full strength. Everyone talked about his power, even Hermione had made comments about it before. Together, they could do anything.

"I'll work on breaking this curse. She'll be fine Mr. Potter, I'm positive that she'll wake up shortly afterwards. Shall we talk about the new bindings Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley."

"Thank you."

"It's Mr. Weasley-Black." Said Fred.

"And Mr. Weasley-Lupin now dear sir."

The twins had am arm around each man. Happy with what was going on. They were sad and disgusted at their family but this was the start of something new. Something that they knew was from Hermione. Damn, even unconscious she was behind the scenes. Helping them.

"Son, why don't you lay down."

"Good idea."

Harry turned and walked back toward her room.

"I meant at home, in your bed."

"Nope. Not leaving her."

"Really Prongs? Do you think he's going to ravish her? In a bed here? That's more your style."

Harry ignored the noise behind him. He wanted the rest of the Weasley family gone. The screeching of Molly and Ginny were giving him a headache. As he stepped into the room, he sighed at the quiet. His eyes took in Hermione, laying there so still, his heart clenched tightly. It felt as though he had failed, he hadn't even noticed that she had been going through all of this, suffering like this. He had known that she didn't like Ron, had always moved away from him. They fought a lot but he didn't think it was more than squabbling when it was in fact, so much more. Now that everything was out in the

open, all those fights and all of her mannerisms made sense. He swore to himself, he would be better. He would protect her better. No one would ever get close enough to hurt her or try to take her away from him again. He took his shoes and robes off and climbed into her bed. He wished she could run her fingers through his hair like she always did.

Flashes of the times they spent in the library flashed through his mind. She was almost always there, reading and relaxing. He loved that she always chose the long sofa even though she said that the small chair under the window was the best place to read. He could lay down in her lap and she would just smile at him and run her fingers through his hair. She didn't ever push him to talk or question him or try to fill their silence with chit chat. Oh no. She was just there. Many times they would

sleep in the library. She used to sleep sitting up before he noticed and would wait until she was out, then laid her down next to him. He always placed her on the inside and curled around him. His eyes watered, he missed her.

"Don't leave me Hermione. Please wake up."

He hoped that he would see her in his dreams again. He wished and wished and wished as he slowly lost himself in his dreams. Except, the next week of it felt like nightmares. It was only after a second night, the moments when he realized, this is what Hermione experienced. This was the timeline for what the Weasley family did to her. He felt disgusted and horrified. Not just for her but for all the older Weasley men. His anger and threat was unjustified. He would have to apologize and get them help. Fuck. His little love was so brave and so righteous. As he was

forced to live through her experiences, he cried and raved. He couldn't believe it, Dumbledore had helped them. She was supposed to die in that lake because the old man was mad she hadn't abandoned him! He had wanted him to feel beaten down and alone, then Dumbledore would swoop in and save the day. He couldn't. How could he? How could they? By the time he got to the moment when they abandoned their want to force her to be with Ron, he was already losing his hold on his anger. Oh shit. That was why they tried to kill her, because they realized that she was too powerful. She figured them out! His smart, beautiful little witch. She had truly chosen death over the thought of being forced to be with Ron.

"Harry."

He turned at her whisper. Finally. She was

here. She looked tired, okay that was being nice. She looked horrible, it reminded him of when they were on the run but she still had a smile for him. He rushed towards her, engulfing her petite body in his arms. He bent down to kiss her shoulder. Goodness, why was she so small? He pulled back and was surprised to see that she looked a bit better. He wanted to stop himself, he knew he should stop himself. Did he? Nope! He cupped her face and lifted her head, his lips gently caressing hers. He felt her shutter but before he could pull away, she kissed him back. She sighed as he deepened their kiss. He didn't want their kiss to be anything like his first one. The memory of afterwards would always make him smile though. Hermione holding the doorframe to the bathroom as she laughed so hard she cried as he brushed his teeth and gagged, complaining that she was going to pee her pants because of him. He complained how

purebloods didn't know about dental hygiene and that he felt violated. Ginny had run and kissed him, shoved her tongue in his mouth. He had all but thrown her off of him, gagging and dry heaving. He had watched as she literally bounced on the ground from how hard he had pushed her but he was disgusted. And the chaos afterwards. He honestly didn't know if Hermione had been laughing because of his reaction or because of the mini duel afterwards where he had such a hard time because he kept dry heaving and it made Ginny angrier and angrier until she had burst into tears while everyone laughed at her. This kiss with Hermione was so pure, to sound like a sap, it was magical. Her lips were soft and plush against his thinner ones. He wanted it to be slow. He tried to be gentle. He did! It was all her fault, she made this little noise. Part purr and part whimper, he felt it. He was lost. One hand moved from her chin to grip onto her

lush hair. Fuck, he loved touching her hair. He remembered when he first met her, standing next to her and feeling her hair literally wrap around his wrist. He always teased her about it, that it was sentient. It behaved all on its own. When he gripped and gave her a gentle tug backwards, he couldn't help it. She moaned. For him. Because of his kiss.

Gentle. Be gentle. Gentle!

"Harry." Hermione whispered.

He didn't allow another breath as he devoured her. Fuck. All her kisses, her very breath belonged to him. He will never let her go. He nipped at her bottom lip, slowly tasting her. He consumed all her sighs, all of her whimpers and moans. He pulled her harder to his body. He needed to feel her. They should be talking. He knew that but he couldn't stop. No! He

needed her to wake up and be with him. Not just while he dreams. He gave her two small pecks, smiling. She looked a whole lot better. Huh. Definitely needs to figure this out. He felt smug though. Her lips were even more plump, red and she was flushed. Her eyes were dilated, he could barely see the beautiful amber of them. He did that to her.

"Hermione. I need you. You need to wake up." He said softly.

She hugged him, pulled him into her arms. He felt like crying again. What if he never gets to feel this again? He needs her.

"I'm trying Harry. I promise, I am trying but I'm stuck here."

"What is the curse? What did they do to you?"

"You saw it. I showed you everything as it happened when I was awake. This curse, it's old. It's meant to sever the bond between two lovers. They manipulated it when they mixed some kind of compulsion potion. I couldn't fight it and the love potions at the same time."

"H-How long were you fighting the love potion?"

"Since fourth term. So about four years now."

Harry was shocked.

"Four years you've been fighting it?!"

"Well yes. Mind controlling potions can easily be overcome if the person is strong minded. I had a permanent flushing potion but gave it to you when we were on the run."

"What?"

"When Ronald left, he couldn't dose us anymore. It was better to give it to you so your magic could focus on the task at hand."

"But, but why didn't you get another one?"

"They started the compulsion one soon as he came back. It was too much. I still can't figure out how he could dose us, we were so careful."

"Why didn't it work though? You had been potioned for so long."

"Because I hate Ronald. He is your friend, not mine. He is EVERYTHING I can't stand and everything my parents taught me against."

Harry chuckled.

"Do you have ideas on how to break it? The healers thought it would be easy but they're still trying to figure it out."

"Honestly? No, but when you kissed me. I felt stronger and I swear, I felt some of the binds break."

"Reminds me of that movie you made Padfoot and I watch. Sleeping beauty. He was surprised at how accurate it was for a muggle story."

"Except you've kissed me and I haven't woken up."

"I haven't kissed you in the waking world. Only here."

Hermione smiled at him, her fingers playing

with the collar of his shirt. He really liked having her in his arms. His hands were on her ribs just below her breasts, she was short and while he had long arms, he was quite happy to place his hands there, fingers gripping against her shirt. Fuck him. She was so soft under his touch. He felt her shiver and smiled even wider. So sensitive to his touch. He wanted to see how she would react to all of his touches. This wasn't the right time, he would learn as soon as she woke up.

"I need you Hermione. I, I'm not strong without you. I feel like I'm dying without you. I can't, I need you."

He held her tightly to his body, trying to comfort her while she cried. She must be so scared and betrayed. Well, maybe not betrayed because as she said it. She hated Ron. He kissed her head, he reminded himself

that he needed to be a better man for her. He knew she was nervous every time he went out on his missions. It didn't matter that his dad and Sirius went with him. She had given him two things that he never took off, even in the shower. It was a watch but this was special. It had been her father's watch. She had loaded it with so many protective spells and countermeasures that the head auror was gobsmacked. Aside from a killing curse, it didn't matter what he was hit with. It wouldn't hurt him, he knows because some arseholes tried to curse him and none of them hit him. They just seemed to bounce off some kind of shield and most of them were dark spells. The moment she had fastened it to his wrist, he had felt her magic with him at all times. The second was a thin platinum chain. It had a small charm on it and he loved to play with it, was often scolded doing so. It was a time turner. Not an actual one, it wasn't bulky

or spin like her old one. It was a portkey though. He would always fiddle with it, when he was nervous or agitated. The great thing was that it hadn't been a one use either, something he learned when he had grabbed it during an exhausting meeting and thought of her. He had surprised her while she had been reading, in his Quidditch jersey and only his jersey. He knew because he was staring at her and she had adjusted herself on the bed. Her legs were bent and had been crossed at the ankle while she had the book on her thighs. He could see everything and honestly, it was something he had jerked off to many, many times.

"You'll be waking soon Harry."

"No, I don't want to."

She gave him that smile again.

"You have to."

"I'll wake you up Mi, I promise."

"Mi?"

"Well, I would call you Mine but that sounds too possessive."

He smiled as she laughed, head thrown back and all.

"Harry James, what am I going to do with you?"

He pulled her close, bent down to whisper.

"You're going to wake up and you will be mine."

She gave him a soft kiss.

"I'm already yours."

His eyes snapped open and he groaned as he looked up. He slowly turned his head and saw her. He hated that she was laying there, so pale and still. His fingers reached over and touched her face, sliding down to brush her lips. He didn't notice his family, his friends, the mediwizards and healers, he didn't notice his team or even the minister. Something just clicked. A kiss. His kisses healed her in his dreams, she said that she could feel the bindings fall away. He pushed himself up and leaned over her. There was no reason she needed to be trapped in emptiness. He either didn't hear the gasps of shock or the calling of his name or he just didn't care. He leaned down and kissed her. Her lips felt cold, so unlike his dreams. He smiled when he felt it,

the slight pressure she returned.

"Wake up Mi. It's time to come back to me." He whispered against her lips.

He watched as the color returned to her. As her eyes fluttered, the people surrounding them gasped and shouted. The mediwizard was here to give him bad news, nothing had worked and they really did think that she would die in her sleep. They had been stunned, didn't know what to do as they had watched. A few healers had even moved toward him. The mediwizard was shocked to watch how gentle he was with her. He had spent the last two weeks or so watching the way their savior, defeater of evil, act around his patient. Every thing he did towards her was careful. How he spoke within the room compared to outside of it. He was even careful of how others acted in the room as well. The only time he was ever

exerting his magic was when there were healers, as if to warn that he was watching. Her mediwizard always rolled his eyes at the sight, even more when the boy's family snickering away behind him. Oh they were of no help! None whatsoever. Always making comments that put the boy on edge.

"H-Harry." They heard the gentle whisper.

"I'm here Mi. Welcome back."

Sirius smiled. He had been so worried. From the moment she pulled him out of the veil, he had watched. The last thing he had remembered was how Harry had reacted when he realized that she had been cursed. The way he lost control of his magic, watching him run toward her. He knew that his godson was in love with the witty and scarily intelligent witch. It had been a shock to hear what had

happened and then to know that Harry hadn't gotten together with her and had even had a small romance with the ginger girl. Maybe romance was the wrong word as he stated that they were not together and would never get together even though the ginger girl was constantly trying to come by. Sirius thought it was hilarious when she demanded that Hermione needed to leave and Harry telling her no, that this was her home. The reaction Lily had toward the girl would always make him smile. She had demanded and tore into her and Molly, god he hated that woman, asking where they came off demanding things from her son. She had literally thrown the whole family out. Blocked them from ever stepping into his home again. It was one of his best memories. He had been worried as he watched Hermione get sicker and sicker, how tired she always was and how lethargic she had become. It seemed worse at times, she

would lock herself in the library. The night she had tried to kill herself. He didn't know what to think. It was so unlike her. She had always said that to take one's life was the worst sin of them all. That no one had that right to hurt their loved ones like that. He remembered laughing with his friends, reminiscing of the old days when they heard Harry scream. The feeling was almost as cold as a dementor. To see him like that as he tried to kick down the door. To see him fall at her body. He couldn't remember ever seeing that much blood. His heart broke when Harry had grabbed her. Lily had immediately sent healing spells, closing her wounds but Harry, Harry was just crying into her. She was limp in his arms. Her head fell back, mouth slightly open and her arms, which normally always hugged Harry, lay in her lap. Sirius thinks that the image of her like that would be his boggart's nightmare. His beautiful godson hadn't let her go and even as

they took her away, he held onto her hand until the last minute. He couldn't help but cry with Harry, it was so soulful and when he overheard the aurors, he raged with him.

"Miss Granger."

Oh. Big mistake. Not that guy!

"You are not her mediwizard. Back off." Harry growled.

Oh he hated that pompous jackass. He always kept a close eye on that one and had always demanded that there were more than just him. Stupid healer reminded him of Cormac. Stupid Cormac had tried to force Hermione to date him, wanted her because he knew she was beautiful, untouched and because of her connection to Harry and that had been when they were in school. After the battle he had

tried again, especially since she had grown into her beauty and she was famous for her being on the Frontline. To taking out six death eaters by herself, killing Bellatrix and also pulling four people out of of veil. She had rebuffed him and thought that her words had done the trick. He would never tell her that he had all but disappeared because he beat the shit out of that wanker. If she ever did, she would box his ears in. Nope, that little secret was going to to the damn grave with him. The mediwizard agreed even though he didn't understand why Harry had been so forceful.

"I am a healer Mr. Potter."

"You tried to take liberties while Hermione lay unconscious. There is a reason you are not allowed to be alone with her. Second, you are a healer not her mediwizard. You don't need to be here, feel free to leave. Right now."

Too bad that the minister was in the room as he said this. Not that the he had a chance as the moment he started speaking, Hermione had gotten upset. His beautiful, powerful witch! She just flicked her fingers and boom. Problem taken care of. The man was silenced, bound and it looked like he had been electrified. He grabbed onto her hand, smiling at her as he did. His teammates looked at her in awe and some in fear. Good! They should fear her. He bent down to give her a kiss on the forehead, he knew the mediwizard was anxious to check her over. He nodded when she whispered that there were too many people in the room. He would take care of it and he did. Reminding the mediwizard that he would be taking Hermione home as soon as he was done and ignoring when Hermione told him to be nice. He shrugged and as he looked at his family, rolled his eyes. Not that he would ever

let her see him do that, he did have some self preservation skills. He would set the paperwork and payment while he waited.

"Harry. I'm glad to see Hermione is awake."

"You and me both Minister."

"Kingsley, Harry. It's Kingsley."

He shrugged.

"Fine, Kingsley then. Any news about the Weasley family?"

"The men have gone through mind healers, Arthur may be there for a while though. Through the Prewett grimore, the three was siphoning their magic into themselves. Checking the magical index, they were very low in magical power. The men will have to

adjust to a spike and are wanting to speak to a mind healer. There is a lot that needs to filed with. Two of them are squibs now."

"If they want to see a mind healer, the House of Potter will pay for that. As long as they are looking for help, they will receive it. Hermione would like it if we helped them." Harry said.

"Send those three through the veil." Sirius said.

He knew what was behind it. It was not pleasant for anyone that had truly committed a crime. He had sat there in a pleasant little corner but he had seen and heard what others had to deal with.

"Hermione wouldn't like that." Harry said.

"It isn't just death. It is punishment until the

afterlife sets them on their next path. All souls pass through it, it's like judgement." Sirius said.

"They won't be able to hurt anyone son."

Harry sighed as he thought about it. He didn't mind and thought it was a good idea but Hermione had been the one tormented. Would she be willing to just throw them in and forget about it?

"I'll talk to Hermione. She's the one who was cursed."

"That's fine Harry. Probably the best. I know what she's capable of, I was there at the battle too. I would never tell Hermione this but watching her take down all those death eaters at once then happily skip to destroy Bellatrix is very off putting, quite terrifying. And you

know what they say, happy wife, happy life after all." Kingsley said.

Harry blushed and rolled his eyes at the laughter from his teammates.

"Good advice. Prongs, you should take that advice too!" Sirius said laughing.

"Moony! Padfoot is teasing me!"

Harry smiled as he watched Remus wrap an arm around his godfather and to see Sirius nuzzle into his neck. He was happy that they were finally giving one another the chance to be happy. Hermione had sat them down and pretty much ripped into them. It had been glorious to watch and he did so, with a smile. Calling Remus a fool for not recognizing he was being dosed by love potions and at a dangerous amount, that he didn't lose a son

since Tonks had complained that even dosed, he wouldn't fuck her or touch her, that Moony always came through to save him. And for Sirius, she called him a coward and reminded him that this was his chance to actually live the life he wanted to live. Did he really want to throw that away because he was afraid of being rejected? She was brutal as she laid their wants out to one another. How she had seen the cord on them both when she pulled them out. She said that Remus's soul and Sirius's soul refused to be separated and because of it, it took the rest of her power and core to pull them out. Two at once was difficult and she had already done it for Harry's parents. They had nothing to say after that. How could they? The young woman who brought them back had literally just told them that they were fools and now they could see without fear because she threw that away.

"Oh? Are your feelings hurt?"

"I hate you both." James said pouting.

Harry was right. Hermione wasn't feeling very comfortable with the idea of just throwing them in. Sirius spent weeks talking to her about it, about what he saw and what he heard. She had contemplated all her options but in the end, agreed with the idea. It had been a sunny day when they went to court. The wizengamot were very curious about this case. It involved the trio and with the use of veritaserum, everything spilled out. From the plans before his parents had been killed, to the tries of stealing from his vaults, to the fake betrothal contract that Harry ripped right in front of Ginny with a smile, to Ron's obsession for Hermione and finally to the curse and why she had tried to take her own life. Everything

came out and the people were disgusted. The Weasley family were spared but the Prewett family was not. Arthur had cast Molly, Ronald and Ginny from his family and his line. The Weasley family magic bled from them. Their red hair and blue eyes changed to the Prewett coloring. A bland, burnt orange colored hair and muddy brown eyes. Harry sat with Hermione, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, as they talked to one another and debated where or what they were going to have dinner. He wanted this to be a date. He looked smug as hell as he saw everyone stare at his witch. The best was when Ron and Ginny had been pulled into the room. The looks they gave them, anger and lust, knowing that they lost was just perfect. His witch sat up straighter, staring directing at them. She didn't look angry or hurt. She had a look of pure indifference as though they weren't worth anything to her. He saw Ron stare at

her with longing, lust, jealousy, frustration and anger. He spewed vile at them but Hermione was perfect. She just shrugged, looked at Harry and asked if he really thought anything that came out of his mouth meant anything to her. Harry smiled and said to be nice, that letting the poor man have wishful thinking was enough. He chuckled as she sighed but replied that she would try to act like it meant something. That was Ron's biggest fear. To be worthless. To be unwanted and he was both. He could see it now, she was projecting. When her testimony came and they asked why she would rather end her life, replied in question. Did any of them want to be stuck with that as a spouse? That pretty much ended the questioning and when Harry looked at Ron, he was crying. Fortunately or unfortunately, he really didn't care and neither did Hermione. The grossest to him was Ginny. She was explict on what she wanted

and how she was going to achieve it. The worst was how she spoke about Hermione's death and how she would polyjuice herself as Hermione, come to him as he slept like it would be a dream to him. Once pregnant he would have no choice but to marry her. Only thing she forgot was that as a heir to a Most Ancient and Most Noble House, he could demand she terminate the baby and bar her from coming anywhere near him. He broke her when he spoke how that was what he would have done, but that there would be no way she could do that because he would rather die with Hermione than to live without her. He stared at Ginny with an ugly sneer as she cried. The verdict was spoken. Their grimore would be burned, their magic forgotten and they would be thrown into the veil. Love potions and compulsion potions were banned and made illegal. Ginny until the last step had screamed that Harry loved her and needed to

stop this, to save her. He did not and told her that she was the ugliest creature he had ever encounter as she was dirty both outwardly and inwardly but thanked her because if not for what she, her mother and brother had done, he would have taken longer to make his move to make Hermione his. That Hermione was going to be his wife, that he was going to bind his soul to her and put his children into her. It was his hand that pushed her through with her mother and brother watching in horror. As she cried that she loved him and that it was her that should get everything. Harry had laughed and called her delusional. When Ron looked for Hermione, she wasn't even paying attention, talking to Harry's mother. He screamed that she was making a mistake. He heard her laughing as he was pushed into the veil. Heard her say that she loved Harry, his worst nightmare. It was Lily, Harry's mother, that forced Molly into the

veil. The last thing she heard was Lily telling her that she was a shit mother and would never have Harry a part of her demented family. That she was planning a wedding and honeymoon for her son and the daughter in law she chose. None of her sons came and neither did Arthur. In fact, he was on a date!

It took months. Months of mind healing, months of waking up with her screaming or crying in his arms, comforting her as she dealt with the nightmares. He had taken time off at first until she had told him that as long as he came home, she would be alright. It helped that Sirius and Remus spent the days with her. They gave him updates and he was happy to watch her slowly go back to normal. He knew that she respected both men, leaned on both and trusted them. His father stayed by his side, going on missions with him for now. That would change and Sirius would be

his partner while his father stayed home with Hermione.

He was also excited, they were moving. Everyone was going to live together. Sirius, Remus, his parents and then the two of them. It was what she wanted and he loved the idea. He loved it until it came to the planning of said home, they all had different wants and needs but of course, his beautiful little love was a genius and said that their home could be shared but they would have their own floors to do whatever they wanted. This way they could all live together without being too into each other's spaces. They had all pitched in to buy the land. No one was more surprised than Harry to know that she was rich, she was richer than rich. More than any Ancient and Noble family. She never flaunted her money or her status. He had no idea that she was royalty, the great niece of The Queen. The

bloody Queen of England! When they asked, she said that it didn't matter, that she was more than her status.

"Hide me!"

Harry looked down at the woman in his arms. He had almost been bowled over by the little human rocket that jumped in his arms.

"Hide you?"

"Yes! Hide me! Your mother is trying to go over plans again!"

"Uh."

He snickered as she eeped and shoved herself under his bed. It was normally where Crookshanks hid and he had no idea she was limber enough to squish herself under it. She

was small, there was no way he could fit but he was awed that she could. He snickered when she wiggled herself there but continued doing what he was doing. He could hear the footsteps coming up the stairs. His mother had turned into a monster with the house planning. Hermione thought she had done her part, she had gotten the land. It was beautiful. Thirty acres of beautiful green land with a large lake on it. There was an additional fifty of forest for Remus and the warding that Hermione, herself, had placed. It was impenetrable. He liked walking through it, the forest, there was a small stream and a waterfall with a pond that was crystal clear. She had even spoken to the magical architects from different countries to help keep the land healthy and beautiful. Her work with the different healers and with magical beings had paid off. They had a hot spring deep in the forest, a beautiful koi pond on the left side of

the house, a large vegetable garden on the right and even a small vineyard. All of this given to them because she had been kind to all types of people. She respected them and in return, they respected her. Part of the forest was doubled as a sanctuary for werewolves everywhere. They called it the Remus Lupin Home for Wolves. He and Sirius had backed her, even Draco Malfoy and his partner Theo Nott had helped with her push in changing the laws for werewolves and house elves. It had what looked like a small home that actually mimicked muggle apartments and housed, at the moment, one hundred and sixty werewolves but could house almost four hundred. Remus had been overcome and had thanked her. She had told him that he didn't need to and then handed him a scroll. It was a job. Remus would head the werewolf relations department, a separate department but one that fell under her. It was a monstrous task

but he loved it as he was able to create everything himself for those with the same affliction. There was even a better wolfbane potion, thanks to Hermione, Draco and Theo. It eased the transformations and its symptoms. It made it painless. He could still remember how it all came about.

"Harry! Have you seen Hermione?"

"No. I have to pick her up from work though at four. Why?"

"I could have sworn she was home. I wanted to ask her about a design for one of the rooms."

"Mum, the plans are all set. Why do you keep bothering her about this? You know she has a case she needs to focus on."

"I know but I had an idea."

"Did you talk to the contractors? They would know best."

"They said it couldn't be done but I know she'll be able to find a way."

Harry sighed. His mother was going to drive her away if she kept this up.

"Mum, if the contractors said it couldn't be done, you need to listen to them. She's already got a lot on her plate. I don't want her to be more stressed than she already is."

"I know. Your father said the same thing."

"I'm happy that you get along so well with Mi but please, you're going to drive her away. We agreed, didn't we? We each have a floor that is just ours, the shared spaces have

already been built."

"Okay Harry, I know she has a lot on her plate. Have you both talked about your ceremony?"

He sighed. They did and it was opposite of what his mother and father wanted.

"We have. We'll talk about it later though, alright?"

Lily nodded, gave her son a hug and left his room. She had known that she was driving everyone crazy but she felt that if she didn't keep reminding her, that Hermione would leave. The whole thing with Hermione being cursed that brought a special kind of fear. She had seen her beautiful son break in ways that broke her heart. To hear him scream and cry for the little witch, to see him crumble into himself, to watch as he lost control of his

magic. . . She was scared that he would follow her into death. There was nothing she could do to protect him from this, she couldn't comfort him. It was hard and she owed the little witch everything. She had watched as he sunk into a depression, only becoming animated when he was reading to her and right before bed. The shock when he said that he could meet, talk and touch Hermione in his dreams was a gift. He had gotten better for a moment but that too had waned the longer she was stuck in that curse. The day she woke up was the day that Lily knew everything was going to be alright.

When he thought his mother had moved far away enough from the door, he bent down and peaked at Hermione. He chuckled when he saw that she had a blanket under the bed and called for her to come out, that she was safe. He made a small whine as he watched her

wiggle. She was killing him with her movements. He took a deep breath, tried to calm his erection down. Dammit! She was so beautiful. He pulled her into his arms, bending down and kissed her. He nearly growled at her little whimper. He was taking what he wanted from her, her very breath. He was usually very cautious on how much he pushed. His kisses almost always tender. She was his innocent little love. She had no experience, just one peck from Victor who had practically forced the kiss on her. His temper flared when he thought about it. He had been walking toward her and saw it, saw her push him away and back away. He had run to her when Victor had reached out to her, he saw she looked so very frightened and pushed himself between them. He remembered how her hands gripped the back of his robes, hands that were shaking. He had been forceful and demanded to know what the hell he was thinking. Professor

McGonagall had to step in as did Professor Snape. Both of them horrified and raging that he would force himself on Hermione, she had been fourteen at the time and Victor was almost nineteen, a lot bigger and stronger than her. It was one of the only times he respected and felt thankful for Snape. He was an arsehole but he was protective of the students, most of them at least and was disgusted when people tried to force themselves on others. Not even the slytherins had been exempt on that ruling. He ripped into the international champion and Harry had stood there with a smile as he did so.

"Look at me." Harry demanded.

Hermione was shy when she did as he asked. One hand was wrapped around her waist, the other was in her hair. She was breathing heavily as he had snogged her. His eyes were

vivid as they bore into her, wild and piercing. She shivered as his hand slowly moved from her hair and down her neck.

"I want you Mi. Everyone is constantly demanding our attention and I feel we haven't had time together. You're going to tell your boss that you're taking a week off."

"But I have. . ."

"I'm not asking Mi. You will tell your boss that you're taking a week off."

She nibbled on her lip. She had so much to do and because they arrested the assistant head of her department, she was having to organize and resort the office. She gasped and her eyes flew to his as he gripped her hair at the base of her head.

"Do you understand?"

"I, yes. I'll talk to my boss."

He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, kissing below her ear. She shivered as his breath fanned against her neck.

"Good girl."

She wanted to ask him something but she was nervous but he had always been there and she knew that he would give her his honest opinion.

"Harry?"

He stopped peppering kisses on her neck to look up.

"What is it Mi?"

"Do you, I want. I want to know if you think I should ask Remus if he wants to work with me. I've been promoted to assistant head of my department. I get to hire my own people and I want to help Remus and to get his opinion. It will be a separate department but still under my own."

Of course she would want Remus to have a job. She had done so much for him, made sure that he had a safe place and put much effort to his comfort. When he was younger, he had been jealous of how much time and effort she had put in to helping Remus. She equated her being a muggleborn and him being a werewolf as the same. They were both treated horribly for something that was out of their control. It didn't matter that they were extremely powerful and immensely intelligent. People looked down upon them. He had been there

one night when they had actually fought about it. Remus couldn't understand why she was trying so hard and had never thought of them similar. None of them thought of it like that but it made sense.

"I think it's a good idea. He'll fight with you on it, you know that."

"I know but I need help." She said softly.

Harry knew how much it took to get her to ask for help. He understood, it was him that had arrested the assistant director. After what happened with Ron, Ginny and Molly, he wasn't taking any chances that she would be put in danger. When she had told him one night that her boss made her uncomfortable, he had investigated. He had found multiple items that were cursed, all of them with compulsions to be more pliant toward the old

man. Harry had lost his temper, barged into a very important meeting and basically told Kingsley what he was going to do. He didn't care what he thought, he would not let anyone harm Hermione. He said that he would rather burn the entire ministry down than let her be harmed. That he would take her away and hide if he refused to bend to his will. Not even thirty minutes later, Harry had her boss in cuffs and his team had cleared out every cursed item. Kingsley was shocked at the amount of pieces there were and what they were cursed with. Of course, Hermione was too powerful and her mind too sharp to fall for it but honestly, thirty seven pieces cursed with love, compulsion and loyalty hexes was a bit much. Harry had beaten him with his bare hands until he confessed. A fifty two year old wizard who was obsessed with his little love and who wanted her for himself, everyone thought he would die because Harry was

possessive of her and that was public knowledge.

"I'm happy and proud that you're asking for help. I want you happy Mi, happy and healthy. Remus has connections with many different creatures. He will help your work load. You will be home for dinner every night."

He smiled at her sigh of relief. He kissed her forehead and hugged her closely. It was always such a fight to get her to stop working, to take it easy. He thought it was worse than when they were in school and had exams. He decided that he had been an idiot to complain when he was younger because she was five times worse. They made a plan, she always needed a plan, they would ambush Remus at dinner. With the five of them, they would be able to pretty much browbeat him into submission. Hermione had truly thought

all of it out. He was impressed with all her arguments on why Remus was the best for the job. He laughed at some of her counter arguments and kissed her temple at most of them. She was going to use his bleeding heart against the poor man. Sometimes he thought she had the best of the Slytherin traits because she was smooth.

Harry wanted to laugh as Hermione just roughshod through every single one of Remus's arguments. She even countered ones he hadn't even finished explaining. She looked straight into his eyes and it was like she was baiting him. Sirius laughed almost the entire time and his parents just stared at her in awe. It was an hour before Remus said that if he got the job then he would accept it. The look of triumph on Hermione's face said it all. He was going to be working with her, in his own department. When she finally got to explain

it, no one could say anything. They understood her right then, she was creating a whole department just for Remus. She was detailed at what it would pertain. From everything from its description to the pay. Remus had sat there overwhelmed. It would be almost ten times the amount that he had made when he was a professor and the benefits that went it. As with most ministry employees, he would receive three days off a month plus weekends, sick leave was accrued per week at 6 hours each. Every year, he would get one pair month off of his choice unless he wished to add it to his personal days off. He might have to travel and every time meant more leave accrued and a bonus. Harry knew that she was purposely throwing information at him, to keep him so flustered that he would agree to anything she asked him. He smiled when she reminded Remus that he needed to find his own staff and then gave him their

benefits as well. She said that if he chose to employ werewolves, it would be better and then he could delegate and that the affliction wouldn't be counted against them. He was required to hire twenty of his own staff and keep track of their progress. In a moment that was purely marauder, she said goodnight and asked Harry to take a walk. She left chaos behind her.

The best parts of the day for Harry was at night, when he got to lay with Hermione in his arms. She still had moments of night terrors and he still held her and whispered sweet words until she calmed down but things were getting better. Right now, he was trying so very hard to not think of the fact that she was laying on him, that he could feel her body. Things had changed since he was younger, thanks to the new regiment his mother and Remus had put on him. He was

grateful even if the potions tasted like month of unwashed socks washed in sewer water. He enjoyed his bigger body, he liked being so much larger than Hermione. She had always been small, a side effect of being petrified in her second year but he dwarfed her now. He had gotten larger than his father, who said that he looked like his great grandfather, both in height and muscles. His mother said that he was the same height as her father, uncles and pretty much every male on her side. He knew that people now looked at him with intimidation, he was big now and not just because he vanquished a half blood dark lord. People still looked at him in awe but no one came around to flirt. He made sure that everyone knew he was a taken wizard just as he made sure everyone knew that Hermione was his. No one wants to mess with the witch who took out six fully grown wizards by herself before she literally skipped to rip

Bellatrix into pieces with a happy smile. He and Voldemort had stopped their duel to stare slack jawed at the tiny witch. They even looked at one another in shock before restarting their own fight. It was Hermione who had kicked his arse into gear when she screamed at him.

"Stop playing with your food! I'm tired and I want a shower Harry James."

He knew he made a face because she started to laugh.

"What the fuck Hermione! That's disgusting!"

"Then hurry up! I want a shower!"

He, of course, did as she had requested. A slight twist with expelliamius against Voldemort's avada kedava and poof, war

ended. There weren't much death eaters around seeing as Hermione decided to liberate them of their lives. He remembered how she ran to hug him before they apparated to her parent's home. They planned this, to have peace and quiet while they healed if they won and win they did. It had been a glorious three months.

"Harry. Stop thinking so hard."

He chuckled before relaxing his body. Even in her sleep, she was still telling him what to do. He understood though, his body would tense when his brain overworked. He knows that she's so intune with him that she can spot just the slightest hint of unease within him, just as he can with her. He bent down and kissed the top of her head. His arms are wrapped around her lithe body as it rests on top of his. Today had been a rather eventful day. They

told his parents that their idea of the wedding was completely different then their plan. First, it would be difficult since Hermione's parents, well her mother, had told her to get lost once their memories had returned. He was still absolutely infuriated about it. Until she decided to try again or peek in on them, he was doing everything he could to make them suffer for the tears she cried. He even got Sirius and Remus involved. They were sending them old papers and even a law Umbridge tried to pass where only Hermione and her family would be arrested and killed if found. Tbey sent photos of the damages, of the people, of the dead and he sent photos of Hermione. Of the haunted look, the gaunt physique, the scars, everything. He hoped that her parents would feel the guilt they tried to lay on her. Sirius said that the father looked the worse, completely devastated in Sirius's words, but the mother

was still clinging onto her anger. For this, they wouldn't be informed of their upcoming marriage and he would not have Hermione feel like she was missing anything by having some big wedding. No, they were going to do a private sealing, an old traditional circle instead. Of course, they'd do a big reception but other than that, they weren't changing their minds. His father understood, he had been without his parents since they died but his mother had kicked up such a fuss that Hermione had literally just walked out the room. Harry was afraid that she would call the wedding off and had laid down the law so to speak. His mother was horrified at the consequence of her words and actions but he was so angry that he grabbed Hermione and apparated out.

It was a small cabin that they went to, their own little place. They found it in the middle

of the Forest of Dean, two nights after Ron had abandoned them. It was quaint but so obvious that it was abandoned. It became a nice project for them, fixing it up. They had gotten lucky those weeks there. It had old traps that they used to catch a few rabbits, some fish once they were able to cut through the ice and there had been a huge pile of wood in a near by shed, on the opposite side of an outhouse. Some of the wood disintegrated when they touched it but they had plenty. It had taken them four hours to set up the wards and clean the cabin. Harry loved the little cabin. There was the main room that was set up as a living room, dining room and kitchen all together with a fire pit in the middle and a fireplace on its edge. A medium sized room with a bed that Hermione was able to clean and fix up, they still used their sleeping bags and blankets though and a bath room. It was literally just a room with a

large tub in it. It was so cool though, if you had a fire going in the pit, it would heat the water up. Hermione had been confused because the fire wasn't under the tub, it was on the side like a fireplace. She found weird runes but didn't know what they were. Harry didn't care, it meant a hot bath! What had been shocking was that Hermione could skin and gut and clean the animals he caught. It made sense since she said that her father used to take her camping, which is why she could find this forest. She taught Harry and he enjoyed the lessons. That night, they nearly cried as they finally ate well. He had found jars upon jars of preserved foods, all with stasis charms. Hermione copied them as the ones she found only lasted weeks when the ones in the cabin looked to last decades. He even got to see what she did with the pelts, they had caught a bunch of rabbits, like a lot of them. There was two separate times when

she taught him about arrows that they found or to use an arrow shooting spell. He had teased her when she sprouted the information about it, how the Abbleby Arrows fans had use it during Quidditch and then how it got banned when a referee got injured in 1894. He said it could have worse than a nose piercing, which made Hermione laugh. He had been stunned though when she told him to look at and find a target. He honestly didn't mean to choose a big fucking bear but it was going after a buck and a deer with its children. He hadn't even stopped to think, he took aim and let go. Got the stupid bear right in between its eyes. Hermione had wondered out loud about it being out and about during the winter since they normally hibernate. He hadn't cared, he just remembered the feeling as he looked into Hermione's wide eyes before she jumped and hugged him. Praising him the whole time. When they got up to it, both were

a bit overwhelmed. It was a really fucking big bear. Hermione had to climb it just to connect the ties to it. He wanted to do magic but he agreed that they were finding them because of it, they hadn't let the trace off of their wands. It took them an hour to get back and everything just hurt right now but he sat and helped Hermione do what she was doing, skinning and separating the big animal. Thank goodness for her special runes, they could pull fresh water from the frozen over river and straight into or right outside their cabin. Harry was intrigued as Hermione brushed and brushed the fur of the bear, washed and shampoo it before brushing it again and again. Then she would let it dry and gave it a little help but not much, then she would do it over and again. Four days and it no longer smelt like wet, soggy bear. With the two giant bear skins and a blankets stitched by all those rabbits, things were cozy and made Harry feel

like it was them fixing up a home. He had watched and learned as she helped the dying garden, as she fixed up the structure of the cabin and truly tried to make it comfortable. He loved that they had their own place, that it was something they created together. They were able to heal, to get stronger and even restock some of their items. He helped her with creating ward stones, something they had found around their cabin. The previous owners died so the strength of them had fractured. They were the new owners and the wards were powerful. It was like all their warding spells but without the need to charge them every day. They had felt so safe, they apparated to a muggle town to restock a few extra items. They both got new clothes, just a few of them since theirs were falling apart regardless of how many times they fixed them. They went to a grocers, getting two trolleys of food. Those stasis charms were so

helpful and even some seeds that they would help grow faster for their garden. It gave them time to also really study and plan, they needed to be more.

"I'm so sorry little love."

He wrapped her up in his arms, tightening when he felt her shake. This was hurting his heart. Literally, his heart hurt. She was so strong, so very strong and it felt like there were so many attacks on her lately. He never thought his mother would be one of those who hurt her. He had been furious. His magic caused the walls to shake, a few glasses and mirrors had shattered and he was pretty sure that the patio doors now needed to be replaced. It was one thing to think of being selfish, it was another to act selfish. The wedding was theirs. Like he told his parents before running after Hermione, they had

their moment and this was for them. Their wedding was what they wanted, it was about Harry and Hermione, not James and Lily Potter plus the whole wizarding society. If they want to renew their own vows, they could whatever the fuck they wanted. It was unacceptable for them to foist their wants, it wasn't their wedding. It wasn't their forever. It wasn't their happiness. Hermione had gone through a lot and she had fucking brought them back, for him. He was not going to let anyone make her feel bad or let her cry.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have run away." She whispered.

He turned her around, bending down to try and make her look at him. His hands cupped her face and forced her to see him.

"You never have to apologize Mi. You did

nothing wrong. I'm sorry my mother was acting so selfish and cruel. This is about our day, our happiness."

It hurt to see the tears gather in her eyes and her lips to wobble. He couldn't protect her from how her parents treated her but he could protect her from his own. He had been wondering if living together was a mistake. Yes, he loved that his parents were back and that he could be with them but if being with either them meant that he had to hold her while they made her cry, he wouldn't even hesitate. He would move them into their cabin and isolate them. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea.

"She just wants the best for you Harry."

"I don't care what she wants. I care about what you want and what makes you happy.

You're the most important to me Mi."

He pulled her close, let her cry as he tried to keep his anger at bay. He hated her tears. He HATED them. At this point, he was so infuriated that he wanted to say fuck it and have their ceremony alone. He didn't realize that his magic was flaring and it was affecting the wards around their cabin. Now, nothing could get in or out. The patronus his father, his mother and Sirius had produced were sent back. He didn't hear the messages, he didn't see the multiple times they sent them. It didn't matter to him. All he cared about was her, his little love, crying in his arms. He tried to understand his mother but he couldn't. She had lived her life, gotten married the way she wanted to and had him. Honestly, ever since Hermione had woken up, she had been adding her two cents in everything and he was tired of it. If she was

doing this now, what would happen when he had kids? Would she try to take over? He needed her to understand that she was acting like Molly Weasley at the moment and that was going to be the fastest thing to push them away.

"Let's go lay down Mi. Today has been a lot."

He didn't wait for her to answer, he just picked her up bridal style and brought her into the room. He was so gentle as he sat her down on the bed and undressed her. He was quiet as he tucked her in, their bunny blanket covering her. He laid down, holding her until she fell asleep. Once he made sure she was comfortable and safe, he produced his patronus to keep her company and watched as it curled around her. He was satisfied that she would be okay but still wrote her a note. He was going to go to see his parents, Sirius

and Remus. He was done watching his little love cry because they, especially his mother, couldn't watch their fucking mouths. He spent years having to protect her against Ron and Ginny, against Molly. Against everyone honestly, anyone who thought negatively toward her or that she owed them something. He was not going to watch as other people continued to disregard her feelings. His witch was strong but words hurt.

"Son! Where is Hermione?" James asked.

He was suddenly cautious, the look on his son's face was one he saw when they dealt with the Weasley family or criminals. He was worried. He didn't think that the conversation that they would have was going to be good. After Harry had left, the three men had shouted at his wife. He knew that Sirius and Remus cared for Hermione, they were thankful to her and

they respected her. He knew that Lily was used to getting her way and by doing so, would run anyone over.

"I am calling a family meeting, now."

"O-Of course son. Shall we go to the sitting room?"

"No. You'll meet in my office."

Well fuck. This was not going to be good. It took five minutes for everyone to gather. Sirius and Remus having to apparate back as they were looking for them. He watched as his wife came to hug Harry only for him to put his hand up and shake his head.

"Where is Hermione?" Lily asked.

"Away. Sit down."

"If you called for a family meeting, she should be here."

"She doesn't need to be here for this. Sit down."

"Harry. . ."

"I said to sit down!"

James watched as his wife quickly sat down, her eyes wide as they finally took Harry in. Sirius and Remus were sitting calmly, waiting and he wasn't a fool. While he was technically the patriarch of their house, he knew that Harry had the real power.

"You all will listen and you will obey the rules I am setting out. There is no negotiation."

"Of course son." James replied.

He watched as Harry paced for a moment.

"I just spent the last three hours trying to calm Hermione out of a panic attack. A panic attack that did not need to happen. We have spent eight years dealing with runabout mouths who didn't think about her emotional or mental health. What Hermione and I do in our lives only pertain to us. None of you have a say so in how we choose to live it. As of now, I cannot even say if there will be a wedding happening any time soon. It has been canceled as when I asked what she wanted, she nearly passed out from anxiety. We will not live in this house with you. It is not safe for her and I fear that if I make her choose, and she'll choose to be here for me, I will lose her forever. She brought you all back for me at the expense of her magic and her life and this

is how you repay her?! By tearing her down? By forcing her to choose what you want? By bombarding her with more shit?! I will not have it! I will not stand by while someone else breaks her down even more. We are leaving, for her health, for her happiness, we are leaving. I will not lose her. Not for you or anyone else!"

Sirius and Remus understood, of course they did. His parents were in shock, his mother crying but he just didn't care. He couldn't. How could he when his own mother had brought his little love, his whole world down to her knees by demanding so much from her. He promised to be a better man for his love. How could he say that if he didn't stand up to his own family.

"Harry, you can't mean that. She'll be okay."

"You still aren't listening Mum. How can you say she'll be okay when you've not once tried to learn about Hermione? You don't know her and you've been demanding too much from us both. I love you, I do and I am grateful that she brought you back. But you, you've hurt her too many times. You're careless with your words. You don't care about what Hermione wants or needs. It's your way or no way and neither of us can live like that. She had hoped that she could rely on you as a mother since hers forsaken the sacrifice she gave to them. All you've done is make her regret, made her think she was wrong. You've made her doubt herself."

"I didn't. . ."

"Whether you did or not doesn't matter. You're breaking her, tearing her down by forcing her to conform to what you want. Do

you think we want a big wedding or to have that many children? Do you even know if she can have children? She was put under the cruciatus curse for six hours, her body may not be able to have kids anymore. She was carved with a cursed blade. All of that done by Bellatrix! That is a lot of dark magic and for you to demand that she due a duty by having children. How fucking dare you? How dare you make her question if she is worthy of my love? I promise you, if she leaves me, I will forsake you. I will never be with anyone unless it's her."

Lily cried. She was sobbing as she listened to her son, her only child as he threw all her sins in her face. She had only been trying to help them. They were young. She looked at her son, really looked at him. He was strong and he wasn't a child anymore. He was a harden man, an adult who didn't need her anymore. She

thought about all the times she spoke to Hermione and what she remembered made her feel worse. The woman always looked on edge, her shoulders would sink more and more inward the more she spoke. How come she didn't notice it? Was she that blind? Nobody spoke of the war, it was as if it was a big secret. She didn't know that Hermione had been tortured, no one could withstand that but apparently she did. How horrible Hermione must have felt when she was going on and on about house duties. She didn't even know why she was talking about it when her own mother in law had said that she and James should live however they felt were right.

"I want to apologize to her. I didn't mean to push myself on either of you."

"In time you can, if you mean it. Unfortunately, I'm not taking a chance that

you'll go back to making her feel like shit. Live in this house or don't, I don't care but we will not be. I'll see you at work dad, we'll be taking time away for a bit."

"Of course, son. Take all the time you need. We're sorry son, we should have been more conscientious of how fragile you both are. You're right. We don't know what you've had to do during the war, it should have been a sign when no one wanted to speak about it. Your mother and I, we had our lives and it wasn't fair to push our wants onto you."

Harry nods, gets up and leaves. He can hear his mother crying but his only thought is to be with Hermione. He's been gone for too long and he needs to be with her. He's stopped when Sirius and Remus call out to him. Knowing that they truly care about his little love, he turns. Sirius has a bag held out toward him

with a small nod. He's hurt and he's sad so he was unable to give Harry a smile. As he looks inside, he sees all of Hermione's favorite things. Inside is also a stuffed dog. Looking confused, he raised a brow to his godfather.

"She'll understand Harry. Take care of her yeah?"

"Of course."

"Let her know, please. That we, that we love her." Remus said softly.

He nods.

"I'll let you know when she can take visits. You both mean so much to us both. We love you." He told them softly.

They understood, it would only be the two of

them invited. The two of them had ripped into Lily and James with a force that had scared their friends. Sirius, while he understood James's love for the witch, could never stand her incessant need to take over everything. She had even wanted to plan their wedding and that was not happening. Oh no, his binds to his wizard was just between them. She had tried to bully, tried to talk and beg but he refused. The only person who had any say was Remus and that was all. Now, he witnessed her doing it to Hermione. Maybe he should have paid more attention, been home more but it had been unbearable. The moment Harry had taken her away, Sirius had warded the entrance to their floor. He raged and cried for the little witch that had saved his life, twice. No three times! It had taken Remus pulling him back to get him to stop screaming at Lily. How dare she treat Hermione like that! Her parents abandoned her, threw all her

sacrifice aside like it was trash! Then to demand that Harry and Hermione have this grand wedding? Not bloody likely. Neither one enjoyed the spotlight. Neither one cared about the opinion of the people. They didn't want the press there. This was something for them and she pissed all over it. He told James that he could not be around, that he was going to find his pup and his kitten and beg them to come back and if they didn't want to, he'd build them another fucking home.

"Here Harry, take this to me cub please."

Harry reached for the wolf stuffy. He smiled at Sirius and Remus, waved his wand around him and dismantled the tracking spells around him and her items. He scowled at his mother then vanished. The moment he landed, he rushed into the house. He sighed in relief that she was still sleeping. His patronus was there

to keep her company, warm and safe. Harry reached out and rubbed it on the nose. It huffed and sneezed before it touched its forehead to Harry's. He peeled away his shirt and trousers before laying himself down beside her. He brought the two stuffy that Sirius and Remus had given her, cooing as she snuggled with them against her chest. He lay down behind her, pulling her close to his body. He slid his arm behind her head and draped the other around her waist. Harry bent down, sniffed at her hair and kissed her neck. He whispered the sweetest words and praises to her. As she relaxed in his embrace, he finally let loose the tears of frustration, anger and pain. This was his little love, his pillar and his sun. He was so tired of people hurting her. Didn't she do enough? Didn't she fight enough for them all? Shed blood, sweat and tears? No more. No one was going to hurt her again.

"Mmm, Harry?"

"I'm here little love. How are you feeling?"

He knew that he was keeping her in a very relaxed mood. His hand was gently rubbing her stomach and hips, his body heat was comforting to her and he knew that the stuffy in her arms were helping him, he could feel and smell Sirius and Remus on them. He smiled when she turned in his arms, letting his fingertips drag up and down her back now. Chuckling when she nuzzled against his chest, she did enjoy listening to his heartbeat. It was something she said she needed the night after the final battle. It calmed her to hear it, to feel it. This is her safe space, she had told him that being with him made her feel safe. It reminded him of the night in the tent, when she confessed that no matter how crazy or how bad things were, she felt safest right here

beside him. He had agreed since whenever she wasn't right beside him, she had gotten physically hurt.

He kissed her forehead, wiggling so he could kiss her on the nose and laughed when he saw her eyes cross because she had been staring at him. The way she scrunched her nose was also adorable to him. Using his fingers, he tipped her head up just so he could place gentle kisses on her lips. He loved kissing her, smiling when she gasped as he nibbled on her lower lip. He tried to keep his kisses gentle and slow. When he felt her nails scratch his chest, those fingers moved to rest behind her head, gripping onto her hair. He tilted her farther back, slanted his mouth and devoured. Her whimper set him off as he rolled onto his back, forcing her on top of him. Adjusting her so that her legs bracketed his hips, he sat up. His hands gripping onto her thighs. It was better

when they were laying down, she was small against him and he was forced to bend down a little. He groaned when she lifted herself higher, making it easier for him. He watched as she looked down for a moment, at the two little suffering animals and lovingly placed them on the pillows next to them. Damn, she was so adorable and so beautiful. He loved all the little things she did for him. Harry dragged his hands up from her thighs to grip her waist, pushing her camisole up so he could feel her skin. He groaned when her fingers buried themselves in his hair, her nails scratching at the base of his skull. His lips trailed from her soft lips down her neck. He nipped and left beauitful marks along her skin. Hearing her moan and gasp did such horrible things to him. Normally, he would stop and just hold her but he couldn't seem to do that this time. Slowly he pulled her camisole up and off of her body, his lips gently laid on her

collarbone as his fingers brushed under the straps of her bra. He heard the breathy sigh escape her lips as her head dropped back. He slipped the straps down off her shoulders, gently kissing at the place they were. He nipped at the top of her right breast and grinned when she dropped her weight onto his lap. Fuck! That felt good.

"Harry." Hermione whispered.

He rolled them over, bracketing his arms by Hermione's head. His hips cradled gently between her thighs. He bends down to kiss her lips, soft and gentle as he coaxed her to open up for him. As he skid his tongue against hers, one hand holding onto her chin and part of her cheek, he tasted her. He tightened his grip on her face as he lost himself a bit in her taste. He smiled as she whimpered before trailing his lips and teeth down her neck. He

sucked soft marks into her skin. Burying his face into her shoulder, he inhaled her scent.

"Please Harry. I-I want. Harry, please."

Was it bad that he enjoyed her begging? He wanted to hear more of it. His green eyes bore into her as he brought one of hands up to touch his chest. He groaned as he felt her fingertips lightly trace his skin. She was teasing him. He felt her lay her hand over his heart and smiled at her. Ever since the tournament, she had this habit of either wanting to feel his heartbeat or hearing it. Some of her nightmares, most of them, after the war was about him dying. Of him walking off to his death and leaving her behind. She had been so hurt, so angry. He rather the angry tirade than how he had found her after the battle. The Hermione he had found had looked so small and so lost. She had stood

facing the forest, or what was left of the forest. In her despair, she had unleashed a fiendyre that burned a large part of the land, it was still on fire a year later. He thought it was funny that the only parts that were torched belonged to the ministry. The look on her face was his nightmare, the utter look of despair, of heartbreak and of emptiness. She had tears cutting through the ash and dirt on her face. She didn't react to anything, as if all the life was gone. Hell, she didn't even react to him at first. She was just standing there, her wand limp and at her side. It took him pulling her into his arms and letting her listen to his heartbeat. He had walked right past everyone, not stopping to hear the congratulations or handing her off when Ron had demanded her from him. He remembered looking Ron right in the eyes, forcing him to take a step back. He had firmly told Ginny and her mother off, happy when Professor

McGonagall had come to lead him back into the castle. She had lead him to a set of rooms in the Gryffendor tower that hadn't been open in years. He had let her wash Hermione, showering himself off as well. He wondered what she thought about when he tucked them into bed, not even bothering to dress them beforehand. They had laid there and rested for days before he felt she was strong enough. Once she yelled at him, for hours by the way, he knew she was okay.

"What do you want Hermione?"

He was being mean, he knew that. She wasn't experienced, just what he had done to her. He knew she read books but books weren't accurate on feeling. He had asked her one night, they had been drinking and he was curious. There were so many people that had wanted her, from all different houses and even

from other schools. She had said that she couldn't, that there were no feelings toward those who wanted her. That they had wanted her only when she grew into her looks or because she was friends with him or because of the unveiling of her powers. That was something he didn't understand either, her hiding just how powerful she was. She had shown him, never hid it from him but everyone else just assumed her power came from her brain. They didn't understand. When he had to go up against the dragon, she had dueled with him until he was finally close enough to her own power. He had gotten his arse kicked six ways to Sunday on a daily, no a hourly. He understood though, when he finally thought about it. Pureblood ideology was all about power and as a muggleborn, she had no rights so if she fought against them, they would have thrown her in Azkaban.

"Pl-Please Harry. I ah touch me. Please." She whimpered.

He kissed her deeply, his fingers trailing down from her cheeks to her neck. He felt her pulse, maybe he enjoyed feeling it and touching it too. With feather light brushes, he smoothed over her collarbone, down her sides and just brushing against the swell of her breast. He circled his thumbs on her hip bones before trailing his fingers back. Harry pulled back to watch her as he glided his index fingers up and around her areolas, making his way toward her nipples. His eyes bore into her as he gently rubbed them, using his fingers to roll them and tug them. Hermione's back arched as she moaned and he slowly became more and more deliberate with his touches, rougher. As she continued to squirm and writhe in her pleasure, his nipped and sucked at the skin around her neck and shoulder. He

wanted, no. He needed to leave marks, his marks. She was so beautiful with them. His lips and tongue moved lower until he finally let his tongue taste her, licking soft circles around her nipples. He wanted to hear more of her sounds so he nipped and suckled, he was rewarded. She was so sensitive to his touches that she was driving him crazy.

"Does it feel good little love?"

Her response was a whimper. Oh no, that would just not do. He nipped harder, pinching her other nipple tighter. He was rewarded with a cry.

"Answer me sweetheart." He demanded.

Her eyes glisten as they stare up at Harry. Amber and beautiful.

"Yes Harry." She whispered as she turned her head.

She's so shy. Since she had been a child, she had buried herself in her books. It hadn't been until she was eleven before she made any friends and it had been almost two months of their first year before he had become her friend. He knows that Ron had kept them from really making any friends and that he's lucky to know that Neville and Luna were close friends but Hermione hadn't ventured out. She had her face buried in her books because, while he thoroughly hates himself for not realizing, Ron and his family had systematically tore at her self esteem, even more than just cursing her. It makes him wish that he had been able to spend a little one on one time before throwing them into the veil. He really hopes their afterlife is as horrible as Sirius said the veil was. Ron had isolated both

himself and Hermione, they hadn't realized it until it was too late. They had people respect them, look up to them and could call upon in desperate moments but they didn't count themselves friends with others. Harry wanted to help her, to bring the amazing and strong woman who hid inside of Hermione. People had such ridiculous expectations of her and would needle and pick at the parts they didn't like. No more. He would change that.

Harry kept a firm hand on her waist, she kept squirming as he teased and tasted her body. The times when they had gone a little further and he had touched her had told him how sensitive she was to him. He hadn't pushed her very hard to go all the way but he had been able to touch her, taste her and make her orgasm. The first time he made her cum, it had been shocking to know that it had been her very first one. He had spent a while

holding her as she shook, crying because it was too much at once as a first time. She had told him that she felt uncomfortable trying while in a dorm full of girls, which he completely understood. He could have gone his whole life without knowing what some of his dorm mates looked and sounded like. The craziest thing he heard was that the Weasley matriarch repeatedly telling her how wrong it was for girls to be openly sexual. He thought that was bullshit since Ginny had no problems fucking every dick in sight. Hermione had said her grandmother, both of them, were very religious and said the same so she never knew any different. Her parents weren't around much, too busy with their clinic, to tell her any different. Hogwarts didn't have any sex education and the other girls in the dorm kept her dumb that they had touched themselves and fucked, that it was okay. Harry thought it was so that she didn't

acknowledge that boys were an open option. There were so many who wanted her, she was absolutely gorgeous and he knew that many girls were scared and jealous. He had always kept her close so no one had tried to chat her up except for Viktor and Cormac. Both boys had been dealt with and he hadn't cared that he had received detentions for two weeks, beating Cormac been worth it. Since that night, the castle knew to tread carefully around Hermione.

Harry nipped and sucked marks on her breasts. He liked seeing them. He stared in her eyes as his fingers trailed down her side and slid into her panties. He watched her eyes widened and the tiny little whimper escape from her mouth. She was so wet for him. He had been pleasantly surprised that she had minimal hair down there. Funny how her mother hadn't educated her about sex and sexual freedom

but would take her to get waxed, saying that it was best to keep it clean. He wouldn't complain, he had enjoyed tasting her without the annoyance of a massive bush as he had the experience before and had not enjoyed it. He had tried but their taste, the feel and the sight of them disgusted them. A few times he couldn't even and he had gotten slapped when he jerked back from the stench and his erection had literally wilted. He kissed her as his fingers gently touched her. The first time he had touched her and tasted her, he noticed how small she was. Yes, overall Hermione was a petite girl, again because her growth had nearly ended even she was petrified, but he didn't realize how that equated to her sex. He didn't know for a fact but the boys in his dorm and all throughout the castle had said that with Weasley, it was like throwing a hotdog down a hallway. He knew that there were some girls who were looser than others.

Cho had been one of them, he wasn't small by any means but she hadn't felt very good while Luna had felt better but still not great. It wasn't until he spoke with Sirius on why sex was so different to him. That the guys said it was amazing and he just felt dirty afterwards. Of course, then all the shit with Weasley happened and then he understood because the moment he had kissed Hermione, everything just clicked into place. Thinking of Sirius, his mind went back to the talk about how to please a girl and especially someone like Hermione. He had panicked when he told Sirius about how he was afraid of hurting her. With his little love, he couldn't even comfortably fit two of his fingers without causing her pain. Orgasms. Sirius said that multiple orgasms would help loosen Hermione up a little but that patience was the key. So he would do just that, he would give her as many as she could handle.

"I'll take care of you sweetheart. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

Harry smiled down at her, gently kissing her lips. He loved seeing all his pretty marks that he left. He was gentle, just whispers on her skin. His hands constantly touched her, one cupping her breast and playing with her sensitive nipples. He ran his tongue up her neck, feeling the vibration of her gasps and whimpers. He nipped at her neck when he felt her hips buck up against his. He rested his hand upon her waist, fingers molded against the curve and the density of her hips bones. He made a mental note to feed her more, he could still feel each one of her ribs. He smirked at the cry she let out as his fingers pinched and pulled, twisted and flicked at her nipple.

They were sensitive, all of her was sensitive. He trailed his tongue down, nipping st the subtle bruises to make them suffer little darker. He licked at the free nipple, wetting it with his tongue as he drew little swirls against and around it. God! He loved all the sounds she was makings. So pretty. She cried his name as he sucked her nipple deeper into his mouth, picturing his baby doing the same. He was going to breed her, he wanted to lay his seed so deep inside her that she would always have a little bit of him forever. He moved back and forth between her breasts and slowly trailed his hand down her body. She was so wet for him, it trailed down his fingers. He smiled into her body as it jerked when he brushed against her clit. As he made his way down, he couldn't help but stare. She was so pretty with the most beautiful little pussy. All for him. His tongue gently brushed at her clit, just a tiny brush and he was rewarded with a moan,

broken with his name. She tasted so sweet as he dipped his tongue inside of her.

"Does that feel good Mi?"

He watched her nodding her head, her mouth open as moans and gasps escaped between her pretty lips. Her eyes were closed, squeezed tightly. He liked that she was losing herself in pleasure but he wanted to hear her. He needed to hear her answering him. He kissed her roughly, bruising her lips as her fingers pressed down on her clit. Her body lurched as she cried out. He could spend hours eating her out, making her his favorite dessert. He used his thumbs to spread her lips, opening her up. He smiled into her skin as she cried out from the feel of his tongue lashing against her clit, forcing his way into her.

"Answer me Mi."

She moaned as her hips twitched again.

"I, uh, what?"

Huh. He made Hermione Granger speechless.

"I asked if it feels good."

"Yes. Oh, Harry!"

He kissed her gently, licking her neck as he buried his finger within her again. Damn her for being so tiny. It would take him all night to loosen her for him. He was going to join with her tonight. He was going to take her virginity tonight. He was going to claim her body as his. His eyes took in her expressions as he slowly pumped his finger within her. God, she was so warm. With him thumb, he kept gentle pressure against her clit, slowly

circling it. His heart clenched as she cried out when he tried to add another into her. Harry whispered to her, wiping the tear that escaped from her eyes. He didn't move, giving Hermione time to get used to the feel of his fingers. He felt her clench on his fingers, trying to get used to feel of him. He kissed her deeply, kissing the tears away from beneath her beautiful eyes. It still hurt his heart to hear her breath hitch but he was patient, waiting until she was ready.

The moment he felt her body relax, he slowly pulled his fingers back and slowly reentered. He crooked his fingers up toward the spongy piece of her. He smiled when she threw her head back and cry out. Her eyes were wide as she looked upward in shock. Harry smiled down at her as he continued to pleasure her. It came out of nowhere. Her orgasm was so strong that his fingers ached at how hard her

inner muscles had squeezed them. Tears escaped her eyes as she sobbed and he had to fight not to cum when she cried out his name.

"You look so beautiful sweetheart. Pleasure looks good on you."

"H-Harry. I."

Harry kissed her softly, his fingers starting up again. The sound of their movement was so lewd.

"You're so wet Hermione, so beautiful. All for me right Mi?"

"Yes Harry, for you." She whispered.

"That's right Mi. All for me. Your pleasure, your love, it's all mine."

Harry worried as he pulled another two orgasms from her body, she was still tight against his fingers. His lips molded around her nipple, gently tugging with his teeth. He was hurting as he put his own off. As he continued to shower her body with all the love and pleasure he could, he was surprised when she pulled at his wrist. He looked down at her, smiling at the flames that blazed in her eyes. He allowed her to move him, waiting patiently as she sat on her heals and looked down at his dick. She was so adorable as she cocked her head to the side, her hand reaching out to touch him. Her touch was so careful and he enjoyed her learning his body, being more confident than ever. The first time he pulled his dick out, it scared her. She had squeaked, yelped and fell off the bed. He had been worried and tried so hard not to laugh when she said that the books didn't say anything about it being that big, that the average was

five and a half inches. She couldn't even clasp her whole hand around his. Hermione had whispered that his dick was not normal. He had cursed everyone in his head, all those who had kept her innocent and even the books she had read, all medical and none that truly explained sex in a more vivacious way. He had made Remus talk to her and with a mediwitch from St. Mungos because he couldn't have this kind of conversation with his innocent girlfriend.

His head was thrown back as he felt her lips kiss his dick. It wasn't the best blow job he ever had but he loved it all the same. She was so thorough as she licked and sucked up and down the length of him. Harry watched as she took him into her mouth, careful and beautiful. He grunted as he felt her throat then whined when he went even farther. No gag reflex, he didn't think it true that people

didn't have one. His eyes were clearly on her, noticing that even going so far, she hadn't taken him all. It sounds stupid but he is so glad that all his malnourished drawbacks were fixed. His height, weight, practically new body was all filled out. He liked being so much bigger than Hermione, liked being so much stronger than her. He liked how she fit in his arms. He liked that he could carry her so easily. He lovef laying with her, able to wrap himself around her. Harry gasped as his orgasm seemed to hit him out of nowhere. He stared into Hermione's eyes as he came in her mouth. He didn't realize until then that she had tears in her eyes as she sucked him off. He was gentle as he pulled her off and into his arms. Kissing her softly and slowly, tasting himself on her lips.

"Did you enjoy that?"

He felt her nod into his shoulder.

"Use your words." He said forcefully.

"Yes." Hermione whispered.

Her voice was soft, puffs of air hitting his skin. He turned and lay her back down, his lips trailing hot on her skin as he nipped and sucked. Harry couldn't help but mark her, he felt possessive as he looked at the light bruises he left behind. His hands were gripping onto her wrists beside her body as he suckled at her breast. They weren't the biggest he ever saw but they were the most perfect. He sucked deeply on her nipple, earning him a cry from her. God. He loved all her sounds. Harry released one of her wrists so that he could drag his fingers down to her pussy. So wet, just for him. He slid one finger in, testing to see just how ready she was. He had already

adjusted to the fact that no matter what he did, this would hurt her. She was just too small and so he would just go slow and pace himself. As he slid a second and finally a third finger in, he kissed her tears as she cried out. He was doing his best to spread them, trying to loosen her up just a little. An orgasm. He'll wait until she orgasms before trying to enter, maybe she wouldn't hurt as much.

"Little love. You're so beautiful."

"Harry." She whispered back.

He could feel it, she was just about to cum for him. He readied himself and the moment she started to cum, he slid his hand onto his dick. Encasing himself in her juices. He positioned himself above her, leaning down to kiss her lips.

"I love you Mi. I've always loved you."

He pushed forward, unbelieving at how tight Hermione was against his dick. Honestly, it feels as though he was forcing himself into her, which he admitted that this was exactly what he was doing. He swallowed her cry as he pushed himself further on. He was in pain, so fucking tight. He felt her barrier and he nuzzled her neck. Fuck. She was squeezing him too tightly, he can't move.

"Take a deep breath Mi. Relax sweetheart, don't tense."

What the hell was Harry talking about?! She was breathing! Why do people want this? She feels as though a fucking pole was trying to impale her.

"I-I can't oh god, I can't h-help that, ooh, H-

Harry. Aahh"

He was going to fucking embarrass himself if she kept squeezing him like that. She's so tight around him, he didn't think he would actually fit. He was afraid to pull back and look, he's afraid he's going to see her bleeding. He keeps kissing her, slowly and sweetly. He's had to wipe her tears and each one rips at his heart. He knows it hurts her, which is why he's waiting. Of course, it would have been better if he had just finished taking her virginity but she had clenched so tightly, he literally couldn't move.

"Little love, take a deep breath."

"Why?"

She asks but still does as he requests. He hardens his heart, gathers her in his arms and

thrusts forward. It feels like his heart just broke as she cries out though that is quickly overcome by the pain as she bites him. He coos and lays sweet words against her skin. His eyes are soft as they stare into hers. Again, he is brushing away the tears as he reminds her to take deep breaths as she hiccups through her cries. Harry has to also take deep breaths, she feels so good. Her arms are tight around him as is her legs, wrapped beautifully around his hips. He lays down soft kisses against her lips, under her eyes and beneath her jaw.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. Just breathe for me love, slow and steady. I won't move until you're ready. I'm so sorry. I love you Mi."

"I love you Harry." She whispers into his chest.

Harry hissed when he felt her clench. He was

trying so hard not to move but she did it again. Looking down at her, her bright eyes are soft and inviting. He kissed her deeply when she finally nodded as he slowly retracted himself. His hands gripped her wrists, bringing them close to her head. They tightened as he slowly pushed back inside her. He was worried she would hurt but instead, he got a gasp and a moan. Perfect. She felt amazing. He was careful as he slowly slid back and forth, listening to Hermione moan and call out for him. Harry gathered Hermione in his arms, pulling her up and sitting her in his lap. It would be good for her to control their movement, especially their first time and the size difference was a factor. He liked the way her breath hitched, the way her fingers gripped his shoulder and hair. He loved the way her thighs shook, the way her eyes widened and darting between his eyes and down at their laps. He loved the noises spilling

from her beauitful, pouty lips.

"Take your time sweetheart." He murmured against her lips.

She was going crazy. It wasn't hurting much anymore but it was a lot. She slowly slid down Harry's dick, gasping at each additional inch sliding inside of her. She stared into his vivid green eyes, letting them take her mind away from the pole she was sliding down. When he had first entered her, she thought that he was tearing her apart. She didn't know why women wanted this, it hurt. Of course, that was nothing to the searing and stabbing pain, the deepness of it when he pushed through her hymen. It had punched the air from her chest. It had hurt so badly but when the pain had slowly gone away and she was left with the feeling of awe, she could understand a little. Having him in her, moving slowly felt good.

She didn't know how he could fit inside of her. Every time he pushed in, it felt like he was trying to go through into her uterus. She knew, logically, that it was impossible but she swore he was there. Hermione cried out when he thrust up into her, he was everywhere.

"That's it Mi. Good girl, such a good girl taking me. Shh, go slow."

"H-Harry."

"Do you feel good Mi?"

"Yes. Feels good." Her words were slurred.

Harry helped her as she diluted her hips against him. Oh fuck. She felt so good, so tight wrapped around his dick. This was perfect. This is what he should have felt the other times he had sex but he understood why

he hadn't. He hadn't loved any of the others, they were just to relieve the stress. This is what Sirius had tried to explain to him, that when he found the one, it made all the difference. He couldn't stop his hands from holding her tightly, from touching her. With the others, he didn't face them or even touch them more than necessary. He hated kissing them or them touching him. With Hermione, he just fell deeper in love with her. It brought the memories of their youth, in Hogwarts and beyond, always touching her in some way. The reason why he protected her so fiercely against anyone who tried to hurt her. He groaned when she finally took all of him, panting in his lap with her face buried under his chin. The way she breathed his name, as if she were honoring and loving him. The way her eyes shined as they stared into his. Honestly, he felt as though her heart was beating right next to his. The way her hands

clenched and unclenched on his skin when she circled her hips. He brought one hand to her lower stomach, just to feel her skin but was surprised at what he felt. He pulled her back just so he could see. Yup. He could see the outline of his dick. It was the first time he had seen this before, it was so fucking hot. He loved watching his dick as it pushed into her. Ue had to reiterate, it was fucking hot! He ran his fingers around it and over it as he moved Hermione side to side, back to forward and up and down. Harry pushed down on that bump of himself as was caught off guard when it sent Hermione hurling into an orgasm. His breath caught as she rhythmically squeezed his dick as her body shook. The feel of her orgasm, just how wet she became. He watched with intense eyes as she had flung her head hack before bringing it forward as she collapsed against he body. Harry knew that he should be gentle, this was her first

time so he should be more considerate but hell if she didn't make it difficult for him.

"Harry." Hermione breathed.

Her eyes were so dilated that he could barely see any of that brilliant amber within them.

"So good Mi. You're so good."

He kept guiding her hips above him, just loving the feel of having her wrap around him. He trailed his fingertips up and down her back. He growled when she nipped him. Once, twice, three times. His hand gripped at her hair, at the base of her skull and tugged her back. He was shocked at the look on her face, the look she was giving him. Her pretty little mouth was slightly open, puffs of air brushing against his skin. Her eyes were hazy, full of love and lust. He could see his marks

everywhere. On her jaw, her neck, her shoulders and collarbone, her chest and all over her breasts. She looked thoroughly shagged.

"Pl-Please Harry."

Oh does she beg so well. He shifted them so that she was laying back while he looked down at her. He feels this need, otherworldly need, to speak up. To tell her everything he's kept inside his heart. He needs to bare it all to her.

"I love you Hermione Jean. You are my only love, the only one I have ever loved. Ever since that little bossy girl who barged into my compartment demanding help for someone she just met. Since then, you have done everything and anything to help me. You never abandoned me. You believed in me and you pushed me to be better. You pushed

yourself into horrible and dangerous situations for me, strained your core to the point of almost killing yourself just to get stronger for me. You are a gift, you have given me everything I ever wanted, even the things I had never thought I could have. You are the only one I want to share my life, my love and heart, my magic. I want grow with, learn with, fight with and fight beside. I promise to always strive to bring peace into our lives, for our present and for our future. I promise to be fair and honorable for our family, for our children and our own legacy. I promise you Mi. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, until the power of my soul dies out."

He wiped the tears spilling from her eyes. Happy tears or not, he did not like them.

"I love you Harry James. I have loved you in

multiple capacities since we were eleven years old. You have been the only one I would give my love and heart to because I know you would treat it as a precious gift. Harry James, I want nothing more than to share my life, my love and my magic with. I want to grow with, learn with, fight with and fight beside. I promise to always strive to bring peace into our lives, for our present and for our future. I promise to be fair and honorable for our family, for our children and our own legacy. I promise you Harry James. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, until the power of my soul dies out."

The moment they kissed, a bright gold light seemed to burst from their chests. They break apart to stare at one another in awe and in happiness. Harry could feel Hermione's heartbeat right next to his own and knows that she can feel his. He couldn't help himself

as he rolled, his knees firm against their bed. He needs to cum. He wants to feel her cum again. Harry pulled out until just the head of him is inside of Hermione. He stared into her eyes as he thrust forward. The cry she let out as her legs tighten against his hips, her wrists tremble in his grip as her hands tighten into fists. Her head flung back, it is a beauitful picture. He lowers his head down, lips trailing up and down her neck. His teeth are sharp as they nip at her skin. This feels like an out of body experience as he drives deeper and harder into her pliant body. He can feel her, she is close.

"Let go Mi. I can feel you're close."

"Mmm."

"I have you sweetheart. Let go, cum."

Harry can't take his eyes off of her. Her pouty lips open and close, moans and gasps escaping from them. He kisses her sweet and slow, swallows her sounds. He lowers his mouth until he gets to her breasts. He molds his lips around a nipple, draws it into his mouth and gives a tight suck, swivels his hips and thrusts one more time, hard and deep. The cry she let's out, a broken rendition of his name causes him to let go as well. He's weak against the pulses he feels as she orgasms. He whispers sweet words as she slowly recovers. He wipes her tears. He probably should have been more gentle, it was her first time.

"I love you Mi. I will always love you, until the power of my soul runs out."

"Love you too Harry. Until the power of my soul runs out."

They know that they'll be just fine. Things might have been difficult for them in their short lives but they know one thing, they'll have each other. They will be each other's pillars, each other's safe place. They've overcome so many obstacles so far and they know that nothing will be too difficult that they couldn't handle. Harry wasn't worried about getting married, figuring out the rest of their careers or even about other people. They have one another, they could hold on.