Who's Hermione's Paramour?
Summary: Hermione goes to a party, who will she hook up with? You decide!
Disclaimer: I do not make money with this, just playing in the sandbox.
Chapter 3 Harry
As Harry walked away, Ron leaned over to whisper to Hermione, "Thinking of finally acting on your feelings?"
Hermione whipped her head around to stare at her other best friend, surprise written all over her features.
Ron chuckled, "Stop looking so surprised, 'Mione. It's not like I haven't noticed, you know. Just 'cause I don't say anything don't mean I'm blind."
"Yeah, well..." Hermione trailed off.
"Look, I don't have a problem with you dating Harry. I've been waiting for one of you to pull your heads out of your arses and make a move. Lav has even asked me when the two of you would get together." Ron paused to chuckle. "So if it's Harry you want, I say go for it."
Hermione continued to stare for a moment before she pulled Ron in for a tight hug.
"Hey! What I miss?" Lavender asked when her and Ginny returned.
"'Mione's finally going to go after Harry." Ron answered before Hermione could.
"About time!" Ginny chimed in with a huge smile.
"You're alright with this too?" Hermione asked.
"Of course. I mean, Harry and I tried but we're too different and I'm with Dean now so I wish you the best of luck." Ginny told her.
"You're going to need it!" Lavender added with a grin.
"Nah, 'Mione's got this." Ron gave a lopsided smile.
Deciding enough talk had happened; Hermione scanned the crowd for her wayward friend when she spotted him taking with Minerva. Squaring her shoulders and giving a wink to those around her, Hermione walked towards her heart's desire.
HG-HGP HG-HP HG-HP
When Hermione entered the Great Hall, it took all Harry had to not ogle his best friend. She was beyond beautiful. The look of awe and wonder on her face made her even more so. He did take the time to watch her as she took everything in and greeted those who approached her. He liked that magic still caused wonder in her just as it did him.
What few knew was that Harry had had a crush on his best female friend since before the War. The year on the run, living in a tent together, had opened his eyes to just how much Hermione had grown up. However, she still wanted things to work with Ron so Harry had kept his mouth shut and his feelings hidden but now, now she was with no one and he was seriously considering crossing the line. He knew their relationship was strong enough to withstand one not returning the other's feelings, though it would suck. It would be awkward for a while, sure, but they would move on from it. It was finding the right time and right words that was the problem. He was pants at speaking his emotions and really, really didn't want to bollocks it all up.
As he was chatting with Minerva, who had insisted he call her such, Harry noticed the witch of his dreams walking towards him as if she was floating. His breath caught when he saw the look in her eyes, like he was a rabbit and she was the lioness on the hunt. Harry couldn't help the beat his heart skipped and did the only thing he could, he smirked at her. He was surprised when she returned it just as she reached them.
HG-HP HG-HP HG-HP
As Hermione talked with Ron, she realized her and Harry hadn't been as subtle as they thought. It would seem everyone knew but them how the other felt. Then Ginny and Lavender had made their comments and Hermione knew what she was going to do, get her wizard. She scanned the crowd and saw him speaking with her former mentor, Minerva. Hermione took full advantage to stare at her heart's desire while he was oblivious.
Harry had always appealed to her but, unfortunately, he never saw her that way. Well, she thought he might have when they were on the run but not really before that. Before that year, she had just been "one of the boys" which she had accepted if that was the only way she would be able to spend any kind of time with him. Then her teenage-self had thought Ron cute and since Harry hadn't noticed her yet, she had set her sights on Ron instead. She should have known it wouldn't work out between them, they were so different. Then that horrible time on the run and Ron leaving them as he accused them of being together had hurt her more than she thought it could. But the dance Harry had given her to cheer her up reminded her that the reason her and Ron would never really work out was in her arms.
However, Harry was trying to save the world and it seemed wrong to make a move then. Then the Final Battle had happened and she thought her heart had imploded at the thought of losing Harry. But that make her tell him the truth? Of course not, she hid behind getting her masteries instead of admitting to her best friend that she loved him more than that. Now though, now she was ready to cross the line of friendship to partner and possibly more. They had already seen each other at their absolute worst and their absolute best so there wouldn't be any surprises on that front. She just needed to let Harry know she wanted him.
As she made her way towards him and Minerva, Hermione hadn't' realized the look her eyes held until Harry's had widened slightly. She then knew he knew her intentions and the smirk he sent her way had her insides all aflutter. She couldn't' help but return his smirk with one of her own and enjoyed the slight surprise he had to it. The night looked promising, indeed.
HG-HP HG-HP HG-HP
"Hermione, you look wonderful." Minerva complimented.
"Thank you, Minerva, as do you." Hermione replied as she took in the witch's dress robes.
"Hermione" Harry managed without his voice giving his nerves away.
"Harry." She returned as she hooked her arm in his.
"Well, lad, don't just stand there, take her for a dance." Minerva dismissed them with a twinkle and smile.
"Yes ma'am." Harry said as he led Hermione to the floor as the music changed.
Once in the flow of the music, Hermione laid her head on Harry's shoulder and enjoyed his arms tightening around her. It was as it should always be, just the two of them.
As they danced, neither saw the circle others had made around them; dancing with them but "spotlighting" the couple, happy to see them together. It was such a natural progression that no one thought anymore of it, assuming they had finally seen what they had already known, they belonged together.
After the third dance, Hermione raised her head enough to whisper, "Take me home, Harry." and reveled in the shiver she felt run down his body.
"Of course." Harry automatically answered. He then led her out to the apparation point but before he could apparate them, Hermione moved her body to be flush against his. Feeling flustered over her bold move, Harry slid his hand from her waist to her hair as he pulled her to him for a searing snog pouring everything he never said into it. When Hermione moaned, Harry spun on the spot and they were then in front of her door. He managed to open it, move them in and close it without breaking their kiss. Then he pressed his witch against the door as he slid a knee between her thighs while his hands cupped her arse and pulled her closer and enjoyed the way her hands grabbed his shoulders.
When the need for air became too much, Harry stared into the most gorgeous eyes he'd ever seen and spurred to scoop her up as he led her to her bedroom for a night they would never forget but repeat many times.
~FIN~
