Chapter 19: You're Mine

22nd of May, 1998

Harry was a clump of nerves as they appeared outside the Granger's house. It was a rather large grey bungalow with lovely white outlines. The small front garden had a lit up stone walkway which led up to the front door. The Garage was connected to the right side of the house and an impressive silver car was parked outside.

Harry never found himself to be a car enthusiast, but it didn't take a genius to realise the car must've been very expensive. As Hermione led him through the walkway, Harry tugged at her sleeve to get her attention.

"Hermione, you haven't told your mum about us yet, right?"

Hermione shook her head, "I was hoping to do it at dinner."

Her words made Harry's stomach clench, as he swallowed.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Harry eventually nodded, "I'm just a little nervous." He admitted.

"About what?"

"What if they won't like us together?" he asked.

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes at his words, "Harry, they will love to hear the news, trust me… okay, dad might be a little less enthusiastic about it, but I'm sure mum will be happy."

"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked.

She gave him a warm smile, "I think my parents were worried that I might never find someone who would love me… and here I am, about to announce that we're together…"

There was a short silence.

"Harry… we are together, right?" she asked, uncertainty gaining over her face.

Harry tightened his hold on her hands, "Of course we are, Hermione." He chuckled, "I thought kissing you would make that obvious."

Hermione's features relaxed and she gifted him with that smile he loved so much.

"But if you really want confirmation, I don't mind making it official…" Harry laughed as he leaned in, "Would you, Hermione Granger, grant me with the greatest honour… and be my girlfriend?"

Hermione felt a sudden urge to apparate back to Grimmauld Place and show him how much she appreciated his gesture… he was also incredibly handsome… which didn't help either.

She always tried to keep those thoughts at bay, but she couldn't stop herself anymore… now that Harry was with her, wicked fantasies made their way into her head.

"Are you really about to leave me hanging?" he asked, chuckling.

Hermione threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled away a couple seconds later, smiling at him.

"I would love to be your girlfriend, Harry Potter." She giggled at the thought of how many girls would die to say those words to him.

Before Harry could respond, they both turned towards the house as the sound of opening doors grabbed their attention.

"Are you ever going to come in?" asked Mrs Granger, beaming at them both.


Emma made her best effort to pretend she didn't witness anything that took place outside her house as she greeted the kids. Hermione was clearly surprised to have been caught with Harry but Emma was over the moon; she liked Harry from the very beginning.

He always seemed like a good boy the way Hermione described him, and Emma was incredibly satisfied with his good manners. He was also a very handsome young man. But the most important part; Hermione was his world, Emma could see that every time she looked at him. Now, he wasn't even trying to hide it. When Emma saw Hermione kiss him, she felt many things.

It was mostly happiness; her daughter has finally found the love she so desperately desired. But Emma also felt sadness, as this meant one thing above all; her daughter was becoming a woman.

She greeted Harry with a crushing hug to which he blushed. Of course, Emma was almost certain the scarlet faces were coming from the embarrassment of being overheard, but she was happy to see him go red instead of pale; when a man went pale, it was never a good sign. It suggested fear and panic and Emma didn't want Harry to feel that way about Hermione. A good blushing face was exactly what she wanted from Harry at that point, and boy was she satisfied.

As she led the teens into the living room, she poured them both some tea before sitting down opposite them in Daniel's chair.

"Your father should be here soon." She informed Hermione, "He had an urgent case come up."

"Is it something serious?" Hermione asked.

Emma sighed, "Some boy decided it would be okay to chew on mints with freshly mounted braces… of course, the wires snapped and Dan has to fix them up."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I'm glad I never had braces."

"What are braces?" Harry asked, clearly puzzled.

"They're this special kind of appliances which you mount on your teeth in order to make them straight." She explained. "I never had them because I was lucky to have straight teeth, but I heard that they really hurt when you get them."

Harry seemed to have become even more puzzled, "I've never seen anyone with them before."

"Well, they only exist in the muggle world. Wizards have spells to straighten teeth." Hermione added.

Emma smiled, "I wish it was that easy in our world."

"Wait, mum… how will dad get home? The car is outside…" Hermione began.

Emma smiled, "I was going to pick him up, but Dan said Michael will give him a lift."

"Friend of the family…" Hermione pointed out to Harry.

Hermione's smile turned into a rather nervous gaze. She was clearly edging to say something and Emma was sure she wouldn't hold the news until Daniel returned home.

"Sweetie, could you help me with dinner? It's almost done, I just need to finish the salad." Emma asked.

Hermione nodded and stood up, before turning to Harry, "We'll be right back." She gave him a smile and followed her mother to the kitchen.

Once they were out of earshot, Emma rounded on her daughter, unable to contain her excitement, "Tell me all about it!"

Hermione turned different shades of scarlet as she sighed, "what do you want to know?"

"Everything, of course!" Emma cried.

Hermione started off by explaining the conflict which took place at the Burrow. She told Emma about Ron apparating to the burrow furious and coming back like nothing ever happened. She also told Emma about her talk with Ginny. Then she was left with only one thing to talk about… Harry himself.

"So, did he ask you out?" Emma asked

Hermione shook her head, "Not really… when I first arrived, both of us were rather speechless. We just went to bed."

Emma frowned at her daughter before Hermione's eyes widened in shock.

"NO! Mum, I didn't mean in that way!" She sounded.

Emma laughed at her daughter's reaction, "Okay, so when did you finally talk?"

"We talked this morning… Harry apparated us to this place in Scotland. We stayed there for a while during our hunt for the Horcruxes… and we just… talked."

Emma rolled her eyes, "Of course, you did. But what did he say?"

Hermione hesitated before answering, "He told me he loved me."

"Aww… that's just so adorable!" Emma croaked, smiling at her daughter.

Hermione smiled at her words, encouraged to speak on, "He told me that he's always felt something towards me… but he just didn't think it was love… he said he felt it since our fourth year."

Emma's eyes widened at her words, "the Fourth year! Hermione, that's almost as long—"

"I know," Hermione answered.

Emma remained in silence for a while, before smiling at her daughter, "I bet you're over the moon, aren't you?"

Hermione couldn't contain her grin as Emma embraced her, "I don't think I've ever been this happy…" she confessed.

Her words were melting Emma's heart. She wanted to run into the living room and hug the life out of Harry; he was the sole purpose of her happiness.

"I finally have you back… and I have Harry… everything just seems so perfect. And Harry is so amazing, mum. I can't even begin to describe it. He's nothing like the typical teenage boy." Hermione explained.

"In what way?" Emma asked.

"He's just so… mature. He doesn't push me into anything, we're both taking it slowly and he can be so cute sometimes. If you heard the things he says to me… he's like a fairy tale prince."

"Aww…"

Hermione rolled her eyes, before turning her gaze towards the living room, "I'm just nervous about dad… I don't know how he's going to take it."

Emma cupped Hermione's face in her hands, "He'll be fine, sweetie. He likes Harry. And if he even dares to try something, I'll be on his heels the second."

Both of them laughed as they made their way back to Harry.


Harry was could feel his hands shake as the doorbell rang, announcing Mr Granger's return.

Mr Granger arrived in the living room a few seconds later, grinning down at him, "Harry! How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks. I heard you had an urgent case at work?" The two men shook hands before Mr Granger sat down in his chair.

"Oh it was a nightmare, the poor boy had to get his braces completely removed and remounted. Absolute nightmare, I tell you."

Before Harry knew, he was sitting at the dinner table, with Hermione at his side. Mr Granger was reading a newspaper and Emma was helping herself to a second serving when Hermione stood up.

"Mum… dad… Harry and I have something to tell you both."

Harry felt his heart sink. He felt the eyes of Mrs Granger piercing him. She was smiling at them both, while Mr Granger gazed at Hermione, clearly interested to hear the news.

Harry knew he had to support Hermione in this situation. He couldn't just sit and shield himself behind her; he had to show that he was proud to be Hermione's boyfriend, which he was, of course.

"Harry and I are now a couple," Hermione informed, a look of determination on her face. Her gaze was focused completely on her father, who was still staring at her as if still waiting for the news.

He didn't know when it happened, but Harry found his arm clutching to Hermione's shoulder as he tried to look as determined as she was. Though he could feel his face burn.

Emma was the first to react as she beamed at them both, "That's lovely to hear, Hermione!" before turning her eyes to Mr Granger who was still dumbstruck.

He cleared his throat before giving a weak chuckle, "That's great news, Hermione… wh-when did this happen?" he asked.

Hermione sat down, pulling Harry down with him, "Today morning."

Mr Granger seemed to be rather pleased with her answer, "Well… as long as Harry makes you happy… I guess I will be happy too." He answered with a rather painful voice. Harry couldn't help but stare in awe at the man's acceptance.

Emma stood up shortly after that, "Hermione, dear. Could you help me with the dishes?"

Harry's face lit up with her question, "I could do them, Mrs Granger!" Harry almost pleaded.

Emma gave him a pitiful smile, "Harry, you're our guest and guests should not clean up dishes. Besides, with Hermione's help, it won't be too long anyway."

Harry nodded before shifting back in his chair. He was doomed. Stying alone with Mr Granger was the last thing we wanted right now. Hermione gave him a supportive smile as she left to the kitchen with her mother.

There was a long and awkward silence when Mr Granger finally stood up from the table, "Harry, would you care to join me on the couch?" It was definitely not a request, more like a command. Harry almost groaned in denial as he raised himself from the dinner table and slowly followed Mr Granger.

The moment they sat down, Mr Granger's face turned serious, maybe even deadly. It caused a shiver to travel through his spine. He was capable of defeating the darkest wizard of all time, but he was absolutely terrified of a muggle, the father of his girlfriend.

"Harry… I just want to make something clear…" He cleared his throat, "Hermione and Emma are the most important women in my life. They are my treasures and they mean everything to me. I'm not saying that I don't trust you. Matter of fact, I think Hermione chose very wisely when she picked you for her boyfriend. But there is just one thing I need you to know…"

Harry swallowed hard and slowly nodded.

"If you hurt my daughter, I will break your legs. I don't care if you're the most powerful wizard of all time or if you have the best wand… If you break Hermione's heart, I will break you." He informed, looking more serious than ever before.

Harry didn't know where his reaction came from, but he was proud it erupted.

"I would never even dream of hurting Hermione. She means the world to me and I would rather die than see her suffer. I've struggled for a very long time with my feelings, but when it comes to your daughter, it's different. The things I feel for Hermione are true and strong, they have been that way for longer than you could imagine. I want to be with her and I will never do anything to hurt her, you can be sure of that." Harry finished, courage leaving him the moment his mouth closed.

He was waiting for Mr Granger to grab him by his clothes and throw him out the door any second. But instead, the man smiled and shook Harry's hand.

"In that case, we're done here." Mr Granger informed, and stood up. "Oh, and please… call me Dan from now on. Since you're Hermione's boyfriend, I think it's better that way."

Harry nodded, "I'll try my best to remember, Dan."

Daniel gave him a final smile before leading him back to the dinner table where Emma was setting down biscuits and tea.

"How did it go?" she asked, smiling.

Daniel gave Harry a quick grin, before turning back to his wife, "I think that should stay between the men. Wouldn't you agree, Harry?"

Harry smiled, "Yes, Dan."

Emma beamed at them both, "Well that's just not fair now, is it? How come you get to be called by your name but I have to be Mrs Granger?" she laughed, "Harry I think it's only fair if you start calling me Emma."

Harry nodded in agreement, "Sure thing."

At his words, Hermione came inside the room. She blushed when she saw Harry's smile.

"Mum, do you think Harry could stay here for the night?" she asked.

Emma smiled at her daughter, "I think that's a great idea… Dan?"

Daniel shrugged, "I don't see a problem."

Hermione practically jumped at Harry as she took hold of his hand and led him up the stairs, "Come, Harry! I'll show you your room."

She led him into the upstairs Hallway which had two doors on the left, two on the right, and one door at the end. Hermione entered through the first door on the left as a fairly big room was revealed to Harry.

There was a kingsize bed in the centre, with two small nightstands on both sides and a bookshelf filled with tomes.

"This is the guest room. There's a small bathroom through that door." She pointed at another door in the corner of the room. "Those books are actually mine from primary school. It was before I started Hogwarts. They became quite irrelevant when I turned eleven." She explained.

Harry smiled, "It's lovely in here."

Hermione grinned at his words, "Would you like to see my room?"

Harry could barely hold his curiosity as he nodded. Hermione led him out to the hallway and entered through the door right opposite the guest room.

The Room was the exact same size, but Harry felt as if he stepped into a completely different house.

"Woah…" Harry gasped.

The walls were painted into a pale purple and there was a similar sized bed in the centre. There were two huge bookshelves filled to the brim with books. It was the kind of Room he expected; it was very simple yet so very beautiful. Very much Hermione.

There was a painting above the bed which portrayed very familiar scenery. Harry could swear he's seen the place before.

"That's the forest of dean… we were there, remember?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded, "I could never forget." He started to pace the room when he stopped at Hermione's desk. It was a large frame with three pictures, each one showing a different time and place. It was very similar to the frame on Harry's nightstand.

The first picture was Emma and Daniel, with a little girl in between them, smiling at the camera. She had extremely bushy hair and her front teeth were pointy. Harry smiled at the picture, "You look adorable in this one."

Hermione blushed red as she walked up to him, "I was six at the time."

Harry looked at the second picture which revealed Dumbledore's Army smiling at the camera. Harry could still remember that exact moment; it was shortly before Chrismas and Hermione urged Colin to take a picture of the DA group.

"You were a great teacher, Harry." She smiled at him.

Harry turned to look at her, "It's all thanks to you, Hermione… you and your genius."

She kissed him on the cheek before pointing to the last picture. It revealed Harry surrounded by red Quidditch robes, as he held a large golden cup above his head. Harry realised the picture was taken in his third year when Gryffindor won the Quidditch cup. It was a wonderful memory.

"I thought you hated Quidditch…" Harry began.

Hermione shook her head, "I'm not a fan of it… but I couldn't help myself… you look so happy in this picture. I rarely get to see you like that. It was a special moment."

Harry placed his hands on Hermione's waist and smiled at her, "That was nothing compared to what I felt earlier today."

Hermione blushed at his words again. How does he do it so easily!

And then they were kissing, and it was as wonderful as ever.


Harry was dosing off when he heard his door open. He didn't need his glasses to make out Hermione slowly approaching him.

"Harry?" she whispered.

"I'm awake." He informed as he lifted the covers for her to slip in next to him. She pressed herself against his chest and tied her arms around him.

"Bad dream?" He asked, stroking her back.

"No… I just wanted to be with you…" she confessed.

Harry smiled, "Is that so?"

She squeezed him, "Don't get cocky, Potter."

He chuckled, as he massaged her back, "I love sleeping with you too."

They cuddled for a while when Hermione gave something close to a gasp.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

She turned to look at him, "You're mine…" she breathed.

Her words brought a smile to his face.

"And always will be." He finished.

This was Harry's personal heaven, right here. He had the girl of his dreams right by his side, as they cuddled in bed. And she smelled so damn good too. Could there truly be anything better than this? Harry didn't know.


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