First Foot, Forward - A Hogmanay Tale by apaidan

Rating: PG
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 7
Published: 02/01/2010
Last Updated: 02/01/2010
Status: Completed

It's New Year's Eve and someone's had enough of the status quo. Time to put their
best, and first foot forward to chart a harmonious new year




1. Chapter One - We'll Tak a Cup o Kindness Yet
-----------------------------------------------



First Foot, Forward - A Hogmanay Tale

Chapter One - We'll Tak a Cup o Kindness Yet

*0001 GMT, 1 January 2004 - Number 12 Grimmauld Place*

“I still don't see why I have to answer the door.” Looking slightly put upon, Harry Potter
was watching Kreacher with an expression of exasperation on his face. “Any other time you're
giving me the evil eye if I look as if I'm thinking about doing it, and in the middle of the
night you're expecting me to answer the door?”

“You're the Master of the house, it's Hogmanay.” Watching Harry with an impassive
expression on his face, Kreacher was standing firm in the front hallway of the ancient house.
Leaning against the troll's foot umbrella stand, kitted out in a kilt of Evans tartan that
Hermione Granger had given him for Christmas, a starched white shirt, vest, and the amulet of
Regulus Black, he gave the impression of a Jacobite courtier patiently trying to explain proper
behavior to a less than promising page. “Open the door, even She's not going to stand out in
the weather all night waiting for you.”

Turning reluctantly, Harry glared at the door as a persistent knocking sounded from the front
entrance of the old house. Vainly wishing he could retreat to the library and move along with his
backup New Year's Eve plans of becoming soused and falling into a, hopefully, dreamless
slumber, he grabbed the door handle and pulled the massive oak door open.

And stared, openmouthed.

Standing a bit unsteadily in the circle of light from the gas lamp over the door, Hermione
Granger was smiling at him, wobbling a bit unsteadily on high heels but looking exceedingly
cheerful in spite of her attire and the near freezing weather. Dressed in something that must have
been the archetype that designers were trying to copy when they created `a little black dress',
Harry's eyes were drawn to her figure as he vainly tried to get his conscious mind to
engage.

“Hello Harry. Happy Hogmanay!” Smiling, Hermione's eyes widened a bit as she took in
Harry's disheveled and distinctly casual attire. “I take it your evening with Gabrielle
didn't come off after all?”

Standing there patiently with a couple of packages and a bottle tucked under her arm, Hermione
waited for a second as Harry simply stared at her before shaking her head. “Harry, this is the
point where you wish me a `Happy Hogmanay' and invite me in.”

“Hogmanay?” Shaking his head slightly, as if to clear the cobwebs and encourage coherent
thought, Harry smiled and blushed. “I'm sorry. Happy Hogmanay and Happy New Years. Let's
get you in out of that weather.”

Stepping to the side, Harry put his hand on her back as she entered the house. Ignoring the
disturbing tingle that always seemed to accompany her presence these days, Harry nodded as the door
closed behind them and began to follow her into the entrance hall.

“Hello Kreacher, Happy Hogmanay. Don't you look dashing tonight? Preparing to head off to
Killikrankie?”

Bowing low, Kreacher smiled as he held the bow for several seconds. When he straightened up, he
nodded. “Welcome Mistress, the ancient and honorable Houses of Black and Potter bid you welcome to
Grimmauld Place.” Turning to Harry, Kreacher shook his head slightly as he sighed. “I'm certain
the young lady would be more comfortable sitting down rather than standing in the middle of the
entrance hall.”

“Sorry, I don't know what's come over me tonight.” Blushing slightly, Harry turned to
Hermione, and his blush increased when he saw the look on her face. “I think Kreacher has an
excellent point. Let's retire upstairs to the library…” Breaking off at Kreacher's cough,
Harry glanced over at the house-elf to see him slightly shaking his head. “You have a better
suggestion?”

“I'll have coffee and pastries for the two of you in the salon in twenty minutes.” Nodding
to both of the humans, Kreacher turned and started heading for the lower kitchen.

Shaking his head, Harry mumbled something under his breath as he guided Hermione towards the
stairs that lead to the main floor of the house. Trying not to smirk, Hermione simply tilted her
head a bit. “Beg pardon, I don't think I quite caught that last bit.”

“I'm not certain, but I think I'm losing my mind.” Catching himself looking
appreciatively at his best mate, and mentally chastising himself, he blushed a bit at her
proximity. “You're looking very good tonight. Heading out to a New Year's function?”

“Honestly, I'm doing my `New Year's' bit right now. “ Seeing the confused look on
Harry's face, Hermione chuckled as they entered the salon. At their entrance, the lights sprang
up and a cheery fire began crackling in the floo. “Hogmanay is the Scots custom for New Years, and
part of that is `First Footing'.”

“First footing? Now I'm officially lost.” As the pair sat down on the upholstered settee
that faced the floo, Harry looked speculatively at the packages and bottle that she placed on the
tabke in front of them.

“The Scots have a tradition that the first guest that sets foot in a house after midnight brings
gifts to ensure the luck and prosperity of the household for the coming year. And I'm guessing
that with Kreacher chivvying you to the door like that, I'm the first.” Smiling knowingly,
Hermione turned her attention to the small parcels she had placed in front of them.

“Hermione, I'm not certain what's going on, but since you live here, I don't see how
this could possibly count.”

“I stay here, but this isn't currently my home.” Seeing the look on his face, she held up
her hand to forestall his objection. “Harry, I have rooms here, I come and go pretty much as I
please, but I still have my flat in Kensington and technically, that's where I live. True?”

“I'm confused.” Looking perplexed, Harry stared at his best mate for several seconds. “I
promised you that this would always be your home, as long as I had any say in the matter.” A brief
flicker of panic crossed his features. “Have I offended you, made you feel unwanted?”

Ignoring Harry's question, Hermione picked up first parcel and began to unwrap it.
“Traditionally, coal is given to wish a household prosperity and protection.” Picking up the small
polished lump of coal, she smiled as she handed it to Harry. “May Grimmauld Place be filled with
light and warmth in the coming year.”

Taking the polished stone from her, Harry smiled as he watched the lights from the room reflect
in the mirror like surface. “Thank you. But you still didn't answer my question.” As his
fingers brushed against hers, Harry became acutely aware of her presence.

“Harry, what happened tonight? I thought you were going to `discharge this ridiculous
obligation' and go out with Gabrielle since she asked you in front of everyone back at my
birthday party.” Seeing the blush on Harry's cheeks as he remembered back to that embarrassing
moment when eighteen year-old Gabrielle had maneuvered Harry into accepting her invitation to
celebrate New Years with her in front of the group Harry had worked so very hard to assemble to
celebrate Hermione's twenty-fourth birthday as a surprise to his best mate.

“Ah, well. That.” Looking thoroughly embarrassed and put upon, Harry smiled thinly. “It seems
Gabrielle's idea of `discharging her obligation' to me for rescuing her during that bloody
tournament didn't involve leaving her flat.” Seeing the knowing smirk on Hermione's face,
he blushed and added. “Or clothes, for that matter.”

“I tried to warn you. I suggested meeting her somewhere public and going on from there. That way
you'd only have to worry about seeing her home and then escaping with your honor intact.”

“Hermione, it's not funny. I knock on the door, and she's standing there totally
starkers with a pair of champagne flutes in her hands.” If anything, Harry's face had just
passed that hue popularly known as `Weasley Red'. “You could have knocked me over with a
feather.”

“Good thing she didn't know that, she would have had one handy so she could have levitated
you into her flat and have her way with you.” Eyes glittering, Hermione started laughing at the
look on Harry's face. “Harry, you've got to admit it's funny.”

“And just how is this humorous? What in Merlin's name was she thinking?”

“Well, I'm no expert on that sort of thing, but I would imagine she was thinking that since
she's eighteen, very French, part Veela, and has as Seamus so eloquently put it `a body that
blokes would brave a dragon for a chance to touch' she was thinking that she'd be spending
the night with a wizard she's fancied for the past ten years.” Thinking back to the younger
witch's declaration to her just before she maneuvered Harry into accepting her invitation to
celebrate New Year's Eve with her while the two witches were in the library here at Grimmauld
Place, Hermione smirked a bit as she watched the range of emotions on Harry's face.

“I couldn't get out of there fast enough.” Looking a bit panicked at the memory, Harry
glared at Hermione's evident amusement. “What would have happened if someone had been with me
when she answered the door?”

“You're in the habit of taking along a chaperone when you pick up your dates now?”

“You know what I mean. Someone could have been passing through the hallway…”

“And they would have seen a very attractive young woman and her young man preparing to spend New
Year's Eve celebrating privately.”

“I'm not `hers', and you bloody well know it.” Frustrated, Harry sat back and allowed
himself to sink back into upholstery. “Why?”

“Why is it that every witch in England seems to be fixated on landing the `Wizard Who Won'?”
Seeing the baleful look on Harry's face as he stared at her, Hermione chuckled. “You know the
answer to that as well as I do. Since you never do anything to give the fanwitches a reason to move
along, they're all convinced they're `the one'. Or at least could be.”

“That I'll never understand. I just wish…” Breaking off and blushing as he found himself
gazing at his best mate, Harry shook his head and sat back up. “More gifts for the new year?”

Adjusting her seat so she was closer to Harry, Hermione smiled as she picked up the second
parcel. Unwrapping it, she held up a loaf shaped pastry. “A black bun is given as a symbol of
health and fulfillment.” Waving her hand, a small serving platter and knife appeared on the table
in front of them. “May Grimmauld Place be filled with health and happiness in the coming year.”
Deftly slicing the pastry open, Harry smiled when the pastry shell was revealed to be surrounding a
delicious looking fruitcake.

“Just a trick to smuggle in a fruitcake without the attendant jokes?” Reaching over, Harry broke
off a piece of the slice that she had cut, blushing slightly as his fingers brushed hers. Looking
up, Harry was drawn into the depths of her eyes as he found himself captivated by the chocolate
brown eyes of the witch sitting beside him, suddenly very aware of her proximity. “Fancy a
bite?”

Nodding slowly, Hermione reached over and gently took Harry's hand by the wrist. Slowly
raising his hand to her mouth, she took a very slow bite from the piece Harry had broken from the
pastry. Letting her lips brush Harry's fingers, kept her eyes focused on Harry's as she
slowly released his hand and began to chew the bite she took, with a very focused look in her
eyes.

Harry was staring at his hand and the remaining portion of the slice of black bun still in his
possession. Brought back to his senses by the sound of Hermione chuckling, he looked up to just
catch a glimpse of the tip of her tongue daintily removing the last stray crumbs from her lips.
Flushing a bit, Harry slowly brought his hand towards him, and tasted the portion of pastry that
remained.

Swallowing, Harry found himself unable to tear his gaze away from Hermione's. Her eyes
seemed even darker than normal, and he was seeing something there that he had never dared hope to
see.

“Next to last, a gift of brandy to promote fellowship and the welcome the friends of the
household in the coming year.” Allowing her gaze to drop from Harry's, she reached down and
picked up the bottle of raspberry brandy that she had set on the table earlier. Nodding to the
sideboard across the room, she smiled. “If you would do the honors?”

Harry glanced over at the sideboard and summoned a pair of brandy snifters to him, one at a
time. Placing them gently on the table, he watched as Hermione deftly removed the seal from the
bottle and poured a generous measure into each glass. Passing her hand over each glass, a faint
glow surrounded each one and the scent of the fruit brandy filled the air.

As she picked up the glasses, she offered one to Harry. “May Grimmauld Place be filled with
friends and family in the coming year.” Raising the other to her lips, she smiled as Harry slowly
did the same. Raising hers and slightly moving it towards him, she nodded. “To us?”

Slowly moving his glass towards her, they two barely touched as Harry echoed, “To us.” Taking a
sip of hers, Hermione raised an eyebrow as Harry drained his in one motion. “Honestly, it's
much better sipped. Some things need to be taken very slowly to be truly appreciated.”

“And there comes a time, when you simply have to move, for fear of losing the opportunity.”
Harry replied as Hermione moved a bit closer to him on the settee. Side by side, their legs were
touching as she gently replaced her glass on the table. “And the last…?”

Sliding her hand up Harry's arm, Hermione gently let her hand rest on the back of his neck
as she leaned closer. Smiling knowingly as Harry's eyes were locked on hers, resisting the urge
to glance down towards the very low neckline on the dress she had selected, she smiled.

“A gift of love, to make the household a home.” Stopping with her face just inches from his, she
waited until she could tell he had processed what she had just said. “We've spent far too long
being afraid to take this step. We can't lose the friendship we have, and frankly I'm
bloody tired of waiting. It always comes back to the two of us. Tonight I just want to surrender to
the moment because you're the one I've always wanted, always dreamt of.”

“Are you certain? I never believed….” Cut off as her finger was pressed to his lips, Harry
stared in shock as a very predatory look came over his best friend's face.

“In case you've forgotten, you turned down a nude and willing Veela not two hours ago for
some reason. I'm very certain I'm that reason. As Audrey so eloquently put it Christmas Eve
while I was watching Ginny trap you under the mistletoe and almost having a meltdown, it's time
to `cowboy up' and take a chance.”

Removing her finger, she slowly moved closer until her lips were brushing Harry's. Seeing he
was about to say something, she closed her eyes and murmured. “Just shut it and kiss me.”

And he did.

-----

*1030 GMT, 1 January 2004 - Number 12 Grimmauld Place*

The main floo in the sitting room of Number 12 erupted into green flames. Unable to enter due to
the security settings of the house's owner, the blonde witch waited patiently for the wizard
she was determined to get to respond to the floo. A brief frown crossed Gabrielle's face as she
saw Kreacher, Harry's house-elf enter the sitting room

“Bon matin et une bonne annee Kreacher. Please let my dear Harree know I'm here, I think we
need to finish our conversation from last evening. I didn't get a chance to properly wish him a
`Happy New Year'; he was called away quickly.”

Looking at the blonde witch through the flames, Kreacher shook his head slightly. “Master Harry
is currently … indisposed. I'm reasonably certain he won't be entertaining guests until
later this afternoon.”

“Nonsense, I'm certain Harry would be very happy to see me.” Whatever else Gabrielle was
certain of was cutoff as another person entered the sitting room.

Barefoot and dressed only in an old quidditch jersey of Harry's which made for very
abbreviated sleepwear, Hermione walked into the sitting room yawning and carrying a couple of mugs
of hot chocolate. “Kreacher, who on earth is at the floo this early on a holiday?” Seeing the
shocked look on the face of the younger witch in the floo, and her carefully chosen attire that
revealed more skin than was normal for visiting on the holidays, Hermione smiled knowingly.
“Gabrielle, it's so good to see you again. I haven't seen you since my surprise party.”

Clearly shocked, Gabrielle narrowed her eyes as she took in the other witch's attire, hair
in disarray, and utterly too self-satisfied smile. “I was hoping to speak with Harree this
morning.”

“I'm certain you were, but Harry's currently a bit occupied upstairs. Or he will be as
soon as I get back to bed. I'll let him know you called after we've finished
`breakfast'.” Seeing the surprised look on Gabrielle's face, Hermione nodded once. “Floo
close.”

As the green flames were extinguished and the image of the blonde disappeared, Hermione smiled
at Kreacher. “I don't think she will, but if she rings back, just let it go to message.”

“Very good Mistress. Should I prepare a couple of trays for breakfast?”

“Kreacher, I think we'll be able to cope just fine on our own upstairs.” Shrugging at the
raised eyebrow from her friend, she smiled radiantly. “Though we'll probably be down for brunch
sometime after one.”

“Very good.” Sketching a brief bow, Kreacher headed towards the door that led to the hallway and
the stairs to the lower kitchen.

Humming, Hermione climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to the master bedroom. Sliding
through the partially open door, she nudged it shut with her hip and walked over to the bed, where
Harry was buried under the covers. Setting the mugs on the bedside table, she pulled the jersey
over her head and slid back beneath the covers.

Moving slowly, she pressed her body against Harry's. As she slid her arm around him, hugging
him to her, she felt him begin to stir.

Kissing him on the ear, she murmured, “Good morning” into his ear as she felt him stretch
against her.

“Happy New Year.” Turning so he was facing her, Harry placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“Where'd you go?”

“Downstairs for some hot chocolate.” Turning slightly, she levitated both mugs from their place
beside the bed. Positioning herself so she was reclining on a pair of pillows, she smiled as Harry
took the proffered mug, not taking his eyes from her. “See something you like?”

“Very much so.” Leaning forward, Harry brushed his lips across her breasts, and smiled at the
shiver that coursed through her. “Why did it take us twelve years to figure this out?”

Trying to keep her breathing under control, Hermione returned her mug to the side table and
grinned. “Timing Harry. It took both of us that long to finally decide the risks of not doing
something outweighed the imagined risks of moving forward.” Running her hand over his chest, she
gently ran her nails over the scars she could see. “Does it matter?”

“Not really.” Brushing his lips against hers, Harry traced a series of kisses along her jawline
before teasing her ear with a gentle nip. Smiling as she moved closer to him, he paused for a
second. “Did I hear the floo while you were out?”

“Nothing to worry yourself about. Just a Girl Guide peddling biscuits.” Seeing the questioning
look on his face, she smiled. “Told her you didn't need any, you've got all you can
handle.”

Seeing the look in her eyes, Harry was about to say something else, when he chuckled. “I know
`shut it and kiss me'.”

And he did.

-----

A/N - Don't know if the Girl Guides/Scouts in the UK sell cookies/biscuits, but you get the
idea.

In my stories, Audrey comes from Las Vegas in America, hence her very straightforward
advice.

The genesis of this came from a New Year's Eve get together when I overheard a young lady
use the “…and kiss me” line on her bashful date.

A Happy and Harmonious New Year everyone.

-->



