Chapter 2
Forest of Dean, 22nd of December 1997
A couple of hours later, both Harry and Hermione slowly wake up. Hermione is the one who stirs first and looks at Harry's peaceful face with a smile on her face. The nap she had was the best sleep she had had in months. As she's staring at him, Harry slowly opens his eyes as well and smiles when he sees Hermione's face in front of his.
"Morning," he says with a small laugh.
This in turn causes her to chuckle and say "good morning," back to him.
After silence and a feeling of bitterness which had been the norm in the tent, it felt nice to hear each other's laughs. With the both of them having recently eased up a little, it did bring them a sense that there still were some things worth fighting for. It felt like they could both finally move on from Ron and be able to spend time together without needing him to give life to the previous trio turned duo.
"That was the best bit of sleep I have had in a long while," Hermione finally says while still half laying on top of Harry.
"I agree, I don't think I've felt this refreshed in months," he replies with a smile.
"Oh my, look at the time," says Hermione suddenly "we've slept the day away," she continues.
Harry finally starting to get back to his old self replies "yes we've got loads of places to go and be right," he says with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes, but can't really refute what he just said.
"I don't think I have it in me to do any reading or research for that matter" she says.
"Same here, I don't think I even have any energy to even make food today. The popcorn was more than enough anyway," says Harry in reply to which Hermione nods in agreement.
They stare into each other's eyes with Hermione still perched on top of Harry. Both taking a moment to enjoy the calm and silence. The only sound that can be heard is the wind's howl and the ruffling of tree branches.
"Do you think a love the likes of which we saw in the film today is possible?" says Harry finally breaking the silence.
Hermione, a little bit startled, takes a small amount of time to reply "of course a love like that is possible, why do you think it couldn't be?"
"It's just that the only real examples I've had are my aunt and uncle and trust me, what they have I don't wish for myself. The other couple I've seen are Mr and Mrs Weasley but while they're clearly in love most of the time I saw them, they were focused on caring for their children," he takes a quick breath of air and continues, "I guess I'm just rambling, the film has just made me think over some things, forget it, the question was stupid anyway" he tries to clearly stop the conversation.
Hermione though is locked in at this point and not willing to let the matter rest "I don't think it's a stupid question. Love like that does exist, even if it doesn't always look the same as in the film we saw."
Harry gives Hermione a soft smile. 'She always has been able to answer any question I have, even the strange ones' he thinks fondly.
"Why did you ask that question though?" she asks after he seems to be content without adding anything.
"I don't actually know why, but I guess I just wondered if I could have something like that for myself," he answers her.
"Of course you will Harry, I mean didn't you have …or maybe you still have that with Ginny?" she adds the last part tentatively.
This causes Harry to close his eyes and sigh. Hermione in turn gets worried that maybe she overstepped with her last question but then Harry opens his eyes and replies to her.
"What she and I had was fun and passionate, there is no denying that but I am not sure that was love. Nor am I sure there ever could be, we did break up after all and I'm not sure I see a future with her. The lives we wish to lead are too different."
Hermione just nods not wanting to push the topic anymore. She finally rises from on top of Harry and stretches to get rid of some of the soreness. Harry just stares at her, a little disappointed by losing her warmth and comfortable presence from next to his.
"I'll go and check the outside charms and refresh them a little. Could you make some tea in the meantime." she asks as Harry comes to a sitting pose from half laying on the sofa.
"Sure, I'll make us both some," he replies to which he earns a smile from Hermione.
"Great, I'll be back in a few minutes then," as she leaves outside. As she walks outside she starts to ponder their cinema visit today as well as the discussion they just had.
Hermione outside the tent
'The film felt in a way a reflection of our reality. We're both on the edge of a sinking ship trying our best to survive. And just like Jack and Rose we have no one else to really rely on," she thinks as she slowly starts waving her wand around checking the charms she places. Where needed she recasts them again.
'Although are we truly like Jack and Rose? They fell in love after all and while I do feel like he and I have grown closer could it ever be like that for us? I know I've given up on Ron finally but when Harry said he believed he and Ginny were over, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me,' she continues pondering while walking to another corner of the protective enchantments to check their reliability.
'Could there ever be something between us more than friendship? I feel like everything has been so jumbled up lately. Yet…with every moment possibly being our last do I not wish to feel like Rose, do I not wish to have my Jack? The only difference will be that my Jack will survive,' at this thought she stops and widens her eyes thinking where the last thought came from.
'My Jack, really, am I going insane here. Even if something like that would be possible, wartime is the worst time for love and yet it might be the only time I have left. Besides, this is discounting the fact that Harry might even fancy me which he has never shown,' with these thoughts she was reapplying some charms although she was doing them noticeably slower than usual.
'Yet there was our promise in the cinema today and the comfort we both shared on the sofa today. Why is this so difficult!? The best option is at this point to just let what is supposed to happen happen. I might otherwise never have a chance to experience love and Harry is definitely one of the best options I could have,' she finally finishes her long lines of thought having decided on a new perspective. Having checked the charms she slowly starts walking back towards the tent, her brilliant mind still running a mile a minute with her recent realisation.
Meanwhile Harry was facing the same difficult thoughts while getting tea ready for him and Hermione.
Inside the tent
'I'm so glad Hermione decided to go along with my foolish idea of visiting the cinema. I sometimes don't appreciate her enough,' he thinks while he gets the water boiling.
'And wow, what a film it was. I never knew I was missing out on so much. In some ways it felt like a reflection of our own situation. All alone in the world in this sinking ship of ours with no one else but each other to depend on,' he continues his line of thought while fiddling with the cabinets to get the tea cups.
'Jack dragging Rose to danger just like I've done with Hermione and yet just like Rose didn't leave Jack so doesn't she leave me. I don't understand what I've done to deserve her unwavering support but I'll forever be thankful for it,' he muses.
The water has risen to a boil he adds a tea packet to each cup as that is unfortunately the only tea they have available. He then adds two teaspoons of sugar to each cup as they both enjoy tea the same way. Thankfully they do have some milk so Harry can add a splash of that to each cup. At the same time he can't stop his train of thought regarding his dearest person.
'Then there was the promise we made today and as foolish as I may happen to be sometimes that was no regular one. To never leave her side … I can't fathom a world I would ever wish to do so.
She has become my rock at this point and if she should become my Rose, well I wouldn't mind being her Jack then. With things having ended with Ginny I am not shackled to anyone although I don't think that would cut it with her knowing the Weasley temper,' he muses while having finally prepared the tea and slowly moves to set them down in the sitting area.
'Although this might be wishful thinking, last I saw was Hermione getting close with Ron. Yet … Ron is not here and as cruel as it may be I'm slowly starting to not miss him. Besides, what more do I have to lose at this point. The chances of my death are high and if there is a possibility of something between Hermione and I, then I won't stop myself. Hermione at this point means the world to me,' he finishes his line of thought.
Just as soon he hears footsteps and then sees the tent flaps opening and Hermione walking inside. She gives him a warm smile which he returns and then motions to her tea cup.
"Two teaspoons of sugar and a splash of milk, just how you like it," he says towards her with his smile still in place.
"Thank you, you always make it better than I do," she thanks and compliments him at the same time.
"Something I can do well finally," he jokes back at her "made it special for you of course," he continues then. "Anyhow, how were the charms, all good I presume as it didn't take you long to check them," he asks her.
"Oh they are holding up well, I just strengthened them up a bit but they hold up quite well," she replies while taking a sip of her tea and watches Harry do the same.
"Sooooo, not much we can do today to prepare for Godric's Hollow visit but is our plan still in place to go the day after tomorrow?" Harry asks, sitting on the sofa with Hermione sitting on her favoured armchair.
"Not much time left today, but I'd like to just check my notes today and tomorrow on Godric's Hollow to see I haven't missed anything. I don't want to leave it to chance that I didn't notice something which could help us with Godric's sword, if it is there," she replies, biting her lip a little due to her worrying.
Harry just stares at her with his tea cup in hand and listens to her patiently. Used to her fretting over everything even if she shouldn't.
"I'm sure you didn't miss anything but if it gives you peace of mind then check your notes. I'll do a bit of duelling practice tomorrow to freshen my skills in case we need to fight," he replies a bit anxious himself regarding the visit.
Hermione nods as the possibility of an attack is definitely possible.
"Well as we went to the cinema I was able to check the date and it's the 22nd today meaning we'll be going on Christmas Eve. Hopefully there'll be less people around then and staying at their homes when we go in the evening," she replies.
The recent cinema visit did give them the dates at least. With her knowing the visit to Godric's Hollow would be on Christmas Eve she was a little relieved as people tend to stay inside with their families on that day.
'I'll finally see the house I grew up in, well for a year at least and I'll get to spend Christmas with my parents. Dead or not I'm happy it will be on the 24th I'll visit their graves for the first time,' he thinks to himself after listening to Hermione.
After they finish their teas Hermione grabs her notes to check them over. She also checks if all her prepared potions are alright in case they will be needed. Harry on the other hand grabs a book on defence against the dark arts and things to look out for when fighting against the dark arts. It's not a very fun read but it's the best he has at that moment.
As the clock ticks away they both are starting to get bleary eyed with Harry deciding to turn in first.
"I think I'm gonna go and head to bed myself. Will you be reading for longer yourself?" he asks her.
With a yawn herself Hermione replies "you're right, I think I'm gonna head to bed in a moment as well. I'll just check a few more things. Thankfully I have plenty of time to prepare for tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning then. Good night Hermione," he says, yet it sounds a little awkward this time. Harry is reminded of the nap he took with her and how good it felt, yet now he'll need to go to his bunk bed alone.
"Good night Harry," she replies but she wishes to not be alone as well.
Harry heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and then goes to bed straight away.
'No matter what tomorrow or the day after may bring, I am glad today went so well. Finally it seems Hermione and I are starting to bridge the gap we have had between us," he thinks laying in bed while he's softly falling asleep.
Hermione has already closed her book, not being able to focus with thoughts swirling around her head. She was just replaying the day in his head and all the emotions it had brought along with it.
'What we did today was foolish … and yet the smile it brought upon Harry's face made it all worth it. The wall between us seems to have finally come down and we can work together as a team again. I feel we can even move forward in a better way from this point on,' she finishes her thought as she puts her book down on the desk and rises up from her armchair.
'Guess I should freshen up and head to bed also, tomorrow will be important to prepare for our visit,' she continues thinking while finally heading to bed herself.
23rd of december - a day before the Godric's Hollow visit
"Aghhh," Harry groans as he slowly wakes up. He reaches his hand out towards his night desk to get his classes.
"Why did I get dad's eyesight," he softly grumbles under his breath. Times like these he wishes besides inheriting his mother's eye colour that he had also inherited her eyesight.
He quickly dresses himself and heads to the bathroom to freshen up. Afterwards he moves to the kitchen to get breakfast started. He chooses to just make some porridge with jam and toast as well as some breakfast tea. He hears Hermione enter the bathroom just as the water has finished boiling for the tea. When she comes out he has laid the two cups of tea on the table along with the toast.
"Morning," Hermione says in greeting with wisps of morning tiredness in her voice.
"Good morning, the porridge will be done in just a minute," says Harry, turning towards Hermione with a smile. His voice is noticeably brighter as he's been awake for a little while.
"Thank you for making breakfast, I'll do it tomorrow then," says Hermione gratefully.
"No worries, besides I actually enjoy making breakfast for you. You at least appreciate it," he replies as he's bringing two bowls of porridge to the table having finished it finally.
Hermione just smiles in reply. Besides, his cooking really is good. She isn't too shabby in the kitchen herself but Harry just has more experience so they both prefer it when he prepares the meals.
"So tomorrow's the big day finally," Harry picks up the conversation while they are enjoying their breakfast. "Hopefully it all goes well, just need to check our things over and be sure to sleep well tonight," he continues while raising his eyebrows and smirking towards Hermione at the last bit about sleeping.
Hermione just rolls her eyes.
"I'm not that bad, but I'll try my best," she replies. She sometimes can't do anything about it when the fretting gets to her.
"I'll just practise some spell combinations today and take it easy, do you want to maybe join me?" he asks her while finishing his last bit of toast while occasionally sipping on his tea.
"That's not a bad idea actually, I'd like to first check some of our potion supplies over and go over the layout once again but besides that there's not much for me to do as well," she replies while also sipping on her tea.
"Great, then we have a plan for today. I'll go and take a small walk outside to check if everything's good," he says while getting up and takes both of their dishes with a swish and flick of his wand. Thankfully he never has to wash dishes again due to magic. 'That's an activity he will never miss doing again,' he thinks.
Harry heads outside while Hermione checks on their supplies.
'It's gotten really cold, I miss Hogwarts and its warmth,' he ponders, while he takes a leisurely stroll inside the protective enchantments.
'But things are finally turning around, tomorrow we'll see Godric's Hollow. Besides I can't believe we really did go and see a movie yesterday. It puts some things into perspective, no point in moping about, if these are my last days then I should live them like they matter,' he thinks to himself. The visit to the cinema really did invigorate him.
He slowly returns back to the tent to see Hermione checking their potions supplies for probably the hundredth time over.
"You know they aren't gonna go anywhere," he says slowly coming behind her.
Hermione jumps a little, obviously she didn't notice him going. Harry has an apologetic look on his face, not having meant to startle her.
"You really are light on your feet sometimes you know. Anyway, tomorrow has to be perfect and I'm just checking if the Wiggenweld potions are good in case you get injured," she replies.
"What do you mean by me getting injured?" he asks with furrowed eyebrows.
Hermione gives him a pointed look with her eyebrows raised.
"1st, 2nd, 3rd year and more ringing a bell?" she asks.
"Touche Hermione, touche," he replies a bit sheepishly.
"Everythings looks fine though, how about we go and practise our spells now," he continues.
Hermione bites her bottom lip obviously thinking if she should check things over again but slowly nods.
"You're right, whatever happens happens tomorrow. Practising spells will do us more good at this point," she replies having come to a decision.
"Great, let's go. We won't be out for that long anyway so we don't exhaust ourselves for tomorrow. Just half an hour or even less," he says.
They both go outside with Harry starting straight away doing spell chains with Hermione following not soon after. After twenty minutes they are both done not wanting to push themselves too much. They'll need to conserve their strength for tomorrow just in case.
"I'm gonna take a shower first if that's alright," Hermione asks as they get back inside the tent, with her breathing a little more winded than usual.
"Sure, no worries. I'll wait for you, unless you want me to join," Harry says jokingly, a little surprised with what he said himself.
"Harry Potter, watch yourself," she replies as she turns around looking at him with slightly bulging eyes but after dressing him down with her look she slowly gains a smirk "just because a bloke takes a girl to the movies once he thinks he deserves the world. You'll have to do better than that," she then turns around and quickly walks to the bathroom. What Harry doesn't see is her blushing red still not believing she went along with his stupid teasing.
Harry meanwhile is left gaping open mouthed with what Hermione said.
"Did that just happen?" he slowly murmurs to himself. But with a shake of his head he decides to just grab a glass of water and wait for Hermione to get out of the shower so he can go next.
When Hermione comes out of the shower she can see Harry half laying on the sofa using his wand to throw and catch a ball. 'Boys and their balls,' she thinks to herself.
"The shower is free," she says like nothing had happened before.
Harry catches the ball with his hand and tranfigures it back to a glass he had used before. Then he catches sight of Hermione with her slightly damp hair and stares at her for a moment. After which he quickly gets up and with a blushing face nods at her and rushes to the bathroom.
Hermione has a scrunched face on, perplexed by Harry's weirdness at that moment but with a shake of her head moves to the sofa and summons a book on advanced charms to herself.
Harry meanwhile is taking a cold shower trying to get a hold of himself.
'Has she always been that pretty with damp hair? I mean after the second task in fourth year she had wet hair but I didn't really have time to focus on that. I just can't stop thinking about her right now, even the shower is not helping,' he thinks to himself while waging a war inside himself over his new sprouting feelings.
'Should I even be thinking that right now, I have more important things to worry about than Hermione with damp hair. Maybe when this is all over…' he continues his train of thought.
'Yet…happiness can be found even in the darkest of times didn't Dumbledore use to say,' he finally ponders. With that thought he turns the water warm and finishes up his shower. He exits it and heads to their 'living room' in the tent.
'What are you reading this time?" he asks, seeing Hermione's nose buried in a book once again.
"It's about advanced charms, focusing on defensive ones," she asks, still not looking up as she's trying to first finish a paragraph she is reading. When she finally raises her head to look at Harry she sees him getting comfortable on the sofa. She notices Harry staring towards her just looking at her until he turns his head away and lays it over the backrest of the sofa with closed eyes. She takes note of him with his fresh look and messy damp hair.
'He really is good looking,' she thinks and then quickly buries her head back to the book to hide her blush.
Harry then summons a book on using transfiguration in battle, something his dad had been good at, Sirius once said. He never really focused on that aspect of magic but at this point in time, everything would help him.
They spend the next few hours just reading and enjoying each other's presence but Harry starts getting restless. Whether it's the silence, the reading or just worry over the next day he doesn't know. He closes his book and gets up. This causes Hermione to peek over the top of the book to see what he's planning to do until she notices him going over to the wizarding radio trying to switch the frequency.
"What are you trying to switch to?" she asks with curiosity having closed her book and laid on the small table in front of her.
"I want to put on some music, just a change of pace for once in a while," he replies, still tinkering with the radio.
He finally finds a channel with music coming with the current song ending. Then the radio host starts speaking. Until they hear the start of a familiar song, the one from the ending of the movie they just saw.
Harry and Hermione both look at each other a little surprised when suddenly he moves to her and with an offer of his hand and a smile on his face prompts her to a dance. She smiles back and takes his hand raising herself from the armchair.
Harry takes hold of her right hand and lays his other hand on her upper back with Hermione laying her hand on his shoulder. They smile at each other with no words needed. They slowly sway initially but then Harry does a few spins with her and one himself causing Hermione to laugh. They stare into each other's eyes with smiles on their faces, both enjoying the moment. As the music continued playing, he drew her closer, placing both of his hands gently on the small of her back. She responded by intertwining her fingers behind his neck, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. In that tender embrace, they danced as if the world around them had faded into the background, lost in the magic of the moment.
As they continued swaying in each other's arms, the connection between them deepened. Their gazes locked, and in the soft glow of the dimmed tent lights, Harry leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from Hermione's. The world seemed to hold its breath as their faces drew closer, their hearts beating in unison.
She met his desire with equal fervour, tilting her head slightly as her eyes fluttered closed. Their lips brushed softly at first, a gentle exploration of what had been building between them. Then, as the music swirled around them to a close, their kiss deepened, a sweet and passionate exchange of affection that spoke volumes without a single word.
In that moment, the tent disappeared, and it was just the two of them, lost in a world of their own, where their growing feelings were written in the tenderness of their kiss.
With the song coming to a close another one started, something with "O Children" in it.
Harry and Hermione were moving their heads away just staring into each other's eyes with a hint of wonder at each other. Both in somewhat of a disbelief of what they had just done. Yet Harry at that moment just chose to give her a soft smile reassuring Hermione in turn who gave her own small smile with her head tilted upward staring into his eyes. Harry then moved his head closer closing his eyes and laid his forehead against hers slowly swaying to the song. Hermione closed her eyes and just enjoyed the moment as well, not wanting to remove this little piece of heaven they just found with words.
After a little while Hermione decides to move her next to his shoulder prompting Harry to lay his on her shoulder.
"I'm happy, is it wrong that I feel like that?" she asks, breaking the silence.
"If being happy should ever be a sin then the world we are living in is wrong," he answers to reassure her.
He then decides to lighten up their moment a little.
"What a difference a movie and a dance can make for a bloke ehh?" he says with a smile with them coming face to face again.
Hermione rolls her eyes but can't help but smile.
"Don't go getting a big head now Mr. Potter," she chastises him lightly.
"I don't know about that, after experiencing that how could I not, Rose," he responds with a great smile, still feeling on top of the world.
"Oh Jack, to think a kiss and a movie was all we needed for you to be the Chosen One again," throwing shade at some of his 6th year arrogance.
Harry just chuckles at that. Hermione then looks at the clock and sees it's getting late.
"Look at the time, we should probably get ready for bed. We need our rest for tomorrow after all…" she says, yet no part of her body or mind wants to end this moment even though it's the right thing to do at this instance.
"You're right, like always," he responds with the same ideas swirling inside his head, the feel of her in his hands is something he doesn't want to lose at that moment.
With slow and deliberate movements they let go of each other, both seeing the little spouts of sadness in the other's face. Harry goes to shut down the radio and when he gets done Hermione with a wave of her wand dims the lights. They then start moving to their bedrooms yet before that they turn towards each other.
They find each other's hands while looking into each other's eyes. The depth of their emotions churning in them.
"Good night," Hermione says first.
Harry responds in turn but also tilts his head lower, closing his eyes he lays a peck on her lips. Hermione just squeezes his hand a little tighter in turn.
"Let's talk in the morning, okay," Harry says as he takes a step back.
Hermione just nods knowing they'll have to do that but both didn't want to waste any time talking this evening, they just needed to feel.
"Sweet dreams," they say to each other as they head to their beds.
Hermione changes to her pyjamas and while laying her head on her pillow she moves two of her fingers up to her lips with another pillow in her hand pressed against her. Still in some state of disbelief, but unable to deny the slowly building butterflies she feels in her stomach. She falls asleep with a smile on her face, knowing whatever happens tomorrow can't change the wonderful day she felt today.
Harry also has changed into his bed clothes and is laid on his back in the bed. His hand running through his hair as he can't seem to forget the sweet taste of her lips. After a while of staring at the top bunk bed he slowly starts falling asleep. The same motion after long months but with the added touch of Hermione's name on his lips before sleep claims him.