A Way

Hermione hugged him tightly. His embrace was so delightfully welcoming, she never wanted to let go. Engulfed in his arms, it could not have felt more comforting.

To her, this was a seminal juncture, for it was the first time they were embracing as lovers and not just best friends. This was the first intimate moment in their shared love life which had just begun.

She was so excited. They were starting a new chapter past the hardships of yesterday. Sure, many difficult problems were to come and many difficult people were to be dealt with, but whatever came their way, this time there would be no suppressed feelings. This time, they would be frank with each other about how they felt, now that the initial barrier of the fear of rejection had been overcome.

Like the best friends they had always been, they would laugh and cry and praise and tease, and together have all the fun in the world, relishing that feeling of familiarity, of affinity.

Like the lovers they were now, they would explore each other in ways they hadn't before. A new avenue, of intimacy, had opened up for them to travel on.

Lovers! Intimacy! Her mind squealed and her heart did a back flip. Slow down woman, don't frighten him off. He's just kissed you.

Out of the tangle their sudden marriage had thrown them into, they had worked out a way forward for themselves, a way which promised peace and happiness.

And love! Wait. Damn it woman! Control yourself.

—

They were walking alongside the edge of the Lake some distance away from the castle. They'd been here many times before but never as a couple, holding hands. And Ron had always been with them, except for one time during their fourth year when he and Harry had fallen out.

Ron, Hermione remembered, had taken notice of the fact that she spent most of her time with Harry. And he had been extremely jealous, just like he was two months ago, in the tent, when he lay on his bunk recovering from his Splinching accident while she discussed plans with Harry.

All those times, he suspected we were up to something when we weren't. Then, out of spite, he left us alone in the forest. The irony of the situation was that, had he taken his head out of his arse and stayed put, perhaps, I wouldn't have even recognised my feelings for Harry, much less ended up being married to him. If Ron wanted Harry out, he just royally screwed up. Too bad.

"Hermione, they're going to know. Like Lupin did."

"That we're…"

"Yes." Oh dear, he's right. Our rings…

She looked at hers. It seemed so intricate, she was surprised she hadn't admired the elegant infinity knot before. A symbol of our union.

"Do you want me to take it off?"

Harry stared at her for a few seconds and then spoke resolutely. "No. And I'm not taking mine off either."

He sighed. "I rather like the idea of my ring on your finger, Hermione."

Oh, Harry.

She couldn't help smiling. "Feeling romantic, Mr. Potter?"

"I do. It's the truth. If we're going to be frank…"

"Harry—"

"And I've vowed to—"

"Hey, hey, listen, dear husband. I want it as much as you, okay?"

"Right."

"What are we telling the Weasleys?"

"Let's tell them the truth."

"What happened to keeping our marriage a secret?"

"I… I've had enough of secrets, Hermione. And it'll to come out one day, you know it. It'll be much worse if, say, Rita Skeeter broke the story. She's going to paint us as a pair of deserters who ran off to fool around in the middle of a war while the rest of the Wizarding World fought and bled."

"It's better that we control the narrative."

"Yeah. And… yeah." She could sense that he hadn't said everything on his mind.

"You can tell me."

"Well, it's … it's cowardly. Things have changed between us. I'm not afraid to call you my wife in front of anyone."

She contemplated the idea. There was going to be a furor, no doubt. She could feel that instinct of recklessness which had goaded her to accept Harry's precipitous proposal rising inside her again. Let the people talk, I'm with Harry. I don't care what they'll say, I'm with Harry. Whatever happens, we'll face it. He's right, no more secrets. It'll be better if it comes from us. He's my husband and we're together now, what do I have to fear? And when did I start caring so much about what the sodding world thinks of me?

"You know what Harry, let's do it. We'll tell them everything. It's the right thing to do."

Harry nodded.

"Hermione… I've known you for years. It's so odd that we never discussed these things. Like feelings and stuff."

"Actually you did, once. Fifth year. Cho."

How can I forget that human hose-pipe?

"Cho… what a mess that turned out to be. And, to think, I asked you for advice on courting her. Could I have been more stupid?"

"Good thing she suspected you were dating me."

At least I was of some good use, albeit indirectly.

Harry chuckled. "Yeah. That turned her off real quick. I wonder, though, what she'd say when she sees us now."

"It better not be anything nasty. Or I'll jinx her face this time." The second part came out quite loudly.

"Ah… my girl, getting fired up. You look so cute when you act all fierce."

He suddenly grabbed her waist with one hand and yanked her close, cupping her face with the other, his amused look turning to one of desire. She did not resist his advance one bit. On the contrary, it felt so natural, so just, that her arms quickly found their way around his neck. A lingering kiss on her lips, a smooch on her cheek and a whisper in her ear…

"Hermione… you're my girl now… my wife… and I really love how that sounds. I can't tell you how blown away I am right now.

Hermione was awestruck too, with the sudden turn of possessiveness that had descended upon Harry. He had just staked a claim to her. She could sense the primal desire in his manner, with him holding her body tightly against his in an iron firmness of grip which she had never known before. But she wasn't complaining. She found herself liking this dominant side of him and a sinfully amorous part of her welcomed the sensuous touch, clamoring for more.

Yes, I'm your girl, Harry.

"I'm serious. About Cho. Or anyone, for that matter." She murmured into his neck.

He rubbed circles on her back. "Come on, Cho won't do that. She's not the one to hold a grudge. Ginny, though, is a different matter…"

She exhaled. "Ginny..."

I don't want to do this right now.

"Don't worry. We're together, it's official. Ginny will have to deal with it."

"We're official." She confirmed.

That's right. They've all had their chances. It's my turn now.