Chapter 1

Harry sighed as he lay on his bed at the Dursleys. He desperately wanted to be with Sirius, but he was currently at the ministry, sorting things out now his trial was over. As much as he would like to see Ron again, the Burrow would be full of people as they were all there, even Percy, having had a change of heart. He knew there was a little family drama about that and Ron was particularly upset and he didn't need to deal with that now.

He really wanted either Hermione to reply or to talk to his godfather. But Sirius was having his trial and trying to get custody and slot back into the wizarding world. Sirius really deserved it however he promised to not write any letters outside and Remus was with him, bound to the same oath while they were there so Harry had now found out just how much he had relied on his godfather when he was here.

Having just come out of hospital from the torture Voldemort inflicted he just wanted some quiet time to relax, which the Dursleys never gave him, giving him constant chores and yelling. He knew in his heart it was abuse, what they did to him but he couldn't bring himself to tell anyone. Some secrets are so deeply buried that it can be hard to try to talk about them.

A tapping sound from his window made him look up to see Hedwig there, a letter attached to her leg. He sprang up, having received no reply to either of his friends and Sirius being unable to write, he was very lonely. Grabbing hold of the letter he unfolded it to read:

Dear Harry,
How are you doing!? I've missed you so much Harry! Also, I was wondering, my parents are taking me to France and I was wondering if you would like to join me as Sirius won't be ready for a few weeks yet and Dumbledore is not moving from saying the Dursleys are suitable guardians so they're having a custody battle which will take ages. Dumbledore has been visiting the Burrow quite a bit so I think they're on his side. As I know you want to be with Sirius, I think maybe don't stay there this summer. Please write back soon with your reply, if you say yes we'll pick you up in two days.

Love Hermione

Harry gave a smile, of course he would love to go with her. How dare Dumbledore try to fight Sirius on custody of him anyway. He grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote a swift reply. After sending it off, he watched Hedwig till she was swallowed into the clouds. Sighing, he placed his letter from Hermione into the chest under his floorboard, where he stored his food. The chest was a decorative present from Hermione, and with it came a tag in Hermione's writing saying, To remember me.

He now placed all his items from Hermione in there, all her letters went in there for instance, all her encouragement she would send him and some of her smaller presents. Looking at the chest, he stroked it softly, feeling all the rune carvings in it. They were ones of protection, he knew that from Hermione's frantic studying for runes last year. Protection and love.

Thinking of spending time in France with her made his heart constrict and his breath hitch. He had no idea what was going on with him now. For the last year, when he had watched Ron and Lavender date, Hermione had had a hard time with it and they had grown much closer through it. Seeing the unhappiness in her eyes at Ron dating Lavender had placed a shard in his heart, seeing how much she wanted him. Ron was so lucky, yet he couldn't be bothered to actually treat her properly.

He could be careless with her and cold, sometimes downright rude. When it happened, lately he wanted to punch Ron in the face, to defend Hermione fiercely. It was weird, but throughout fifth year he had come to… notice Hermione more. She was growing up, and quickly. She had always been more mature than both he and Ron but now it was much more pronounced, not only with her work and attitude, and now that Ron had got a girlfriend… he just felt a little left behind. Like he had not grown up as much with them.

Hearing a yell of "Boy!" from downstairs, he gave a sigh and stood up, his shoulders now sloping, green eyes dulled, and shuffled slowly down to the kitchen, to face his uncle.

Hermione had been bouncing around with joy at hearing Harry's answer. They had become much closer during the last year, on a more personal level and, she liked Harry, always had, but knowing him on a more personal level it just, something changed, she felt. Something changed in their relationship. Oddly, she wasn't against it, something warm and fuzzy had filled her heart.

"Hermione darling," her mother said, laughter lighting up her eyes at seeing her daughter in such a tizzy, "Are you ready to go?"

"Ready!? I've been ready since I got his reply!" she cried, eyes glowing she bounded down the stairs. Her mother laughed and walked down after her and they got in the car. Hermione's father Dan was driving, her mother Emma in the front. Hermione sat behind them, jigging in her seat. However, the closer they drew to the Dursleys the quieter she fell. To pick him up she had put on the pale mint green crop top he said he had liked on her, that it brought out the tints on her brown hair. With that she had paired high waisted jeans, and white trainers. She wore her hair down apart from the front bits which she had plaited in French braids around her head.

She twisted one of the coils in her hair around her finger as the car drew up in front of the Dursley residence. Hermione stepped out, leaving her parents in the car and rang the door bell.

A blond, horse faced woman answered the door, whose distasteful expression turned to delight at seeing Hermione there. "Hello dear. What's your name? You must be a friend from Dudley's at school. Do come in," and she stepped back, allowing Hermione in. Hermione stepped in, looking around at the house and disliking it more by the second. So this is where Harry spent his life. In the most dull, boring home that had no books, toys or any board games to play. Just a TV and video games.

Dudley waddled in, saw her and smiled craftily at her. "Oh hey," he said, waving, "I'm so glad you dropped by."

Hermione's mouth fell open but she quickly gathered her wits. "Don't be ridiculous Dursley, you know I'm not here for you as you have never met me, I'm here for Harry."

The atmosphere changed immediately. "What?!" Petunia's voice was high pitched and squeaky. "Harry? Harry who? No one called Harry lives here."

Hermione opened her mouth to retort angrily but then "Hermione? What are you doing here?"

It was Harry. His black hair was stuck up in all directions and his glasses were slanted on his face. He was rubbing his face tiredly and ran a hand through his hair, trying to smooth it. His green eyes were blurry. From his appearance Hermione guessed he must have fallen asleep, she thought with a fond smile. "Come on sleepyhead, are you packed? My parents and I are here to pick you up."

Harry, his head still fuzzy from his nap, only just registered why she was here. "Pack? I'm all ready," he mumbled, running back to his room to grab his suitcase, his face flushed with embarrassment. Why did Hermione have to see him like this? It was so mortifying. She may have saved him from some sharp words from his uncle for falling asleep but he would rather that than his crush catch him like this. Crush? Oh shoot, he inwardly swore. That would be awkward. He remembered what Ginny was like with her crush on him. Speechless and really self-conscious and tongue tied. He prayed he wouldn't be like that.

Suddenly a touch on his arm made him jump and he turned to see an apologetic Hermione behind him. "Sorry, I was just trying to help," she said softly.

"S'okay," Harry murmured, turning back to his suitcases. Hermione bent down next to him and started to gather them up into a nice, neat, organised pile. Spying at the bottom of his bed were some chocolate from Honey Dukes she looked at him. "Where's this from?" she asked sharply.

"I didn't eat it, don't worry," Harry tried to reassure her. Most of the school had turned to him with Umbridge, ignoring the ministry saying he was insane and delusional. Being the boy who lived, famous, wealthy, in everyone's good graces again and apparently according to many girls, handsome he was a prize. Hermione had found him just in time after hearing a plan of some love potions being given to him and found him about to have a drink some girl had given to him. Ever since then they had been on guard to watch for anyone trying to give him one, and they had not been disappointed. The amount people had was quite astounding and horrific to Hermione.

Hermione nodded tersely and chucked them in the bin. "'Moine, what's the matter? You seem more and more upset the more I get these. It's just something we're going to have to deal with. And when I'm older, marriage offers from purebloods according to Sirius."

Hermione looked horrified and furious. "Marriage offers?!" she cried scandalised.

"Yeah, most pureblood families still do them, even the Weasley's haven't refused to do it. Some even do arranged marriages still but Sirius said he'll never make me do one."

"Thank god!" Hermione cried, flinging her arms around him and clung to him with all she was worth. Harry gave a start of surprise. Was she okay? Why was she so upset?

"Hermione?" he asked, gently prying her off, "What's the matter? This isn't like you."

"I, I don't want you to get married off, or, or," she stumbled through her words. Gently cupping her face, Harry looked at her with a serious expression on his face.

"I won't Hermione, not till I'm out of school at least. Anyway, I've had one girlfriend in my whole life and it was a catastrophe. I don't think I'm going to be married anytime soon."

Hermione nodded, her face still anxious. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, "I, it's just, this is all new to me."

"Then you should've seen me when Sirius first told me," Harry offered with a grin. "He couldn't stop laughing," he finished with a small pout.

Hermione gave a small smile and went to pick up his suitcase but Harry beat her too it and they headed downstairs together. Vernon, Petunia and Dudley were gathered at the bottom of the stairs and watched silently as Harry and Hermione and passed them, Harry ignoring them while Hermione glared at them. They headed outside into the sunshine and Hermione got in the car while her father got out to help Harry put his suitcase in the boot. Then Harry climbed in the back next to Hermione while her dad got back in the driving seat and they headed to Heathrow.

Hermione didn't think she'd ever been more relieved when they arrived at Heathrow, her face burning with embarrassment at her parents, having put the radio on and then talked to Harry, trying to know more about him and then told him what Hermione had been like as a child, which unlike Hermione he had thoroughly enjoyed.

They climbed out the car, grabbing their suitcases and Emma went to get the car parking organised which took a little while but soon they were entering the terminal and were going to the baggage drop.

"Alright, we're travelling first class so we can go in this line," Dan said as they reached the queues to drop off their bags. They dropped off their suitcases and went through everything that they might want on the plane before heading to security and then went to a restaurant for lunch until they had to head to the gate. Roughly two hours after they arrived, a 1pm, the Grangers and Harry were finally boarding the plane.

Their seats were in the isle in two pairs. Dr and Dr Granger sat next to each other while Harry and Hermione took the pair a few rows further back. Harry was looking curiously around, having never been on a plane before. Hermione then handed him a lolly, which he stared in confusion at.

"It's for your ears," she explained, "To help with the altitude adjustment."

"Thanks, but don't you need one?" Harry said, making a move to hand it back to her but she stopped him.

"I've got more, don't worry about me," Hermione said, smiling at his concern. He nodded and lay back in his seat before looking at her and asking "How long will the flight be?"

"No more than an hour or so," she said, before turning the TV on, "Do you want to watch a show or play a game?"

"Game," he replied, a grin forming on his face. They flicked through the games until they decided to play a racing game, which they were both tragic at but found it hilarious. Soon, rather than trying to win, they decided to make it a competition on who could crash the least. The game became quite addictive, so when it was announced that they would be landing soon, Harry and Hermione were very surprised. Hermione dug out some more lolly's and they started sucking on one while landing.

The plane gave a jerk as it hit the ground and Harry gave a groan as his head hit the back of the seat, hard. Hermione laughed at his expression but when he glared at her she switched it to amused concern. "Is da baby alright?" she cooed, leaning forward, a smirk playing around her lips only to get a gentle slap on the cheek in return. She gave a pout but Harry turned his head away, ignoring her with a determined expression.

"Come on you two, we need to get off now," Emma called and they got up, Hermione grabbing her handbag and they hurried off, passing through passport control and then to baggage claim. Once they picked up their bags they headed to the car Hermione's parents had hired for the holiday and after an hour driving they arrived at the Grangers holiday home they had by the beach in the south of France.

"It's beautiful here," Harry remarked, "Thank you so much for taking me here," he said, turning to Hermione's parents.

"It's a pleasure to have you here Harry," Emma said, smiling gently at the boy who she had heard so much about from Hermione's letters.

"Can I show Harry his room?" Hermione asked and then dragged him away to show him. "Here it is."

The room was bright and airy, painted cream. The double bed was white with duck blue sheets. "It's lovely Hermione," Harry said, placing his suitcase on the floor. "I'm going to unpack now, could you get me if I'm needed?"

"Of course," she said with a bright smile, and left him to it, her head spinning. She was so glad he liked it here, but she prayed her parents wouldn't embarrass her anymore, which they likely would.

Harry started to unpack, glad he hadn't messed things up yet. But still, what if he didn't something wrong? What if they didn't like him anymore?

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yes?" he immediately replied.

"Do you want to go to the beach, and also, underage laws are different here, you only need to be 13 to perform magic at home."

"Is this why you go here often then? To practise magic?" Harry teased, smirking at her flustered look. She scowled at him and left, yelling for him to change. He swiftly did so and met her on the front of the villa. She was dressed in a bikini and looked gorgeous. She took Harry's breath away. "Come on!" she cried, "Let's go."

They headed down to the beach, swimming and sunbathing and messing around until they were starving. "You want an ice cream?" Hermione asked.

"Sure," Harry replied.

"Let's go," and she led him to the shops, ignoring him saying that they were still in their swimwear.

Harry had never had a more magical holiday. He had also never had a holiday but if he had, this would've topped all of them. The end of the holiday was the best though, Harry decided.

Flashback:

Hermione stood next to him, looking down from the top of the cliff onto the beach below as the sunset, turning the water a lovely golden orange.

"I'm going to miss this, just spending time with you," she said softly, gazing sadly out to the water.

"I'll always be here, 'moine," Harry replied gently, "Now Voldemort's gone I have a future."

"Yeah, but you'll get a girlfriend and love her and marry her and you'll leave me behind!" she cried, a tear sliding down her face.

Harry cupped her face in his hands and tilted her face to look at him. "I'll never leave you behind, 'moine, you will always come first."

"Not when you get a girlfriend," she shot back miserably.

Harry took a deep breath, this was it, "No, because if I can't have you, then I won't have anyone."

Hermione stared at him, her eyes wide and then they leaned forward in perfect synchrony and kissed, first hesitantly, but then passionately.