Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter and the Dark Messanger ❯ The Perfect Birthday ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: The Perfect Birthday

 

 

It was finally Thursday, his birthday, he was now fifteen! He didn't feel any different, but knew that this year was different. He was just two years away from being an adult, just two more years of school after this, he would be an adult soon and he would have to start acting like it. With Voldemort back and the Death Eaters coming together again, this year would be different. “Today I change everything. I have to start acting older, I'm not an Immature Git like Ron, and I am a grown man. I do not let childish things get to me no matter how hard it is to keep myself from hexing Draco. I do not allow Professor Snape to humiliate me, and I apologize to him and thank him for what he did for me the next time I see him.” He said trying to see it in his mind, an older, mature Harry that didn't let Draco or Snape get to him.

 

“Oh really Harry?” Harry startled knocked over a book as he turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway.

 

“Did you hear that?”

 

“Yes, and I like it. You are a man, you have faced You-Know-Who twice, last time face to face with him, you have killed a Basilisk, beat a Hungarian Horntail, you are definitely a man.” Hermione walked over, threw her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him deep on the mouth. Harry surprised by this went to say something but all he got when his mouth opened in protest was Hermione's tongue. Harry couldn't believe it, how good it felt, his mind exploded and he was disappointed when Hermione finally broke the kiss.

 

“Wow, a lot better then I thought it would be.” She smiled.

 

“Let's just say that was an early Birthday present.” Hermione left his room and went down the stairs quickly. “Are you coming Harry?” Harry quickly shook the cobwebs out of his head and ran down to catch her seeing her in a completely new light. Running next to her had become to mean more to him. Tonight was going to be their first You-Know-What and he was nervous.

 

“I don't have anything to wear to a place like that. My best clothes are robes, and my hair, it should look better for our first, our first….” Harry couldn't bring himself to say it, the Boy Who Lived, the boy who faced Voldemort and lived could not say that one word. “I am not a coward, it's just this is big, this is something unlike anything else. I can't do this with magic, with thinking, this is emotions. What am I going to do if Hermione isn't happy with what we do tonight? I don't want to lose a friend if it means we don't ever….” Harry shook these thoughts out of his head but they kept coming back. “If Hermione thinks this is all a mistake I will be crushed, I just know it. But it isn't it's what we are meant to do, I just feel it.” Hermione saw the look on Harry's face.

 

“Harry what are you thinking about?” He shook his head.

 

“Nothing Hermione just kind of nervous about tonight, I don't have the right kind of clothes, or my hair, it's always a mess…” She started to laugh.

 

“Like it matters Harry? As long as you bring yourself I will be the happiest woman in the world.” Hermione happy, it is what he wanted. As they ran they decided to take a different route so they wouldn't pass the restaurant that they planned to go to.

 

“Today I have to get the money from Mr. Spinnet, I hope it's enough.” Harry lost in thought nearly ran into Hermione when she stopped in front of him. “Hermione what's wrong?” Hermione turns around.

 

“Harry, did you hear that?” Harry looked around confused. “I thought I heard footsteps behind us but it didn't sound like ours. I must be hearing things, paranoid about You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters.” Harry clears his throat. “Voldemort.” She shook her head and started running again with Harry following.

 

“It's ok Hermione I won't let them hurt you, nothing will hurt you with me here.” He thought to himself seeing Hermione turn around looking for someone following them that wasn't there.

 

 

Around eight Harry was getting dressed into the best clothes he could round up. Although best was something Dudley hadn't worn since he was ten but fit Harry like a glove. “I have to do something about my hair; I need it to stay down for once.” As he thought this his hair immediately became shorter and parted on the right. “What the? How did I do that?” Thinking back to all the times his Aunt had tried to cut it short and how it always grew back because he wanted it to. “Oh no, please tell me the Ministry didn't pick that up.” But then again, they never did pick up on it, did they? All the other times he had done it. Maybe the Ministry didn't pick up on Human Transfiguration. “Well, it does look exactly how I wanted it, except I want the part on the left.” The second he thought this his hair changed and parted on the left. “Alright.” He turned and left the bathroom to see if Hermione was ready.

 

Knocking on her door he heard a squeal “Harry wait! I'm not done yet.” So Harry stood there for ten minutes waiting for Hermione to be “done”, whatever that meant. He was getting ready to knock again when the door swung open. Harry was glad he had waited for her to be “done” for the sight before him was amazing.

 

“Wow Hermione, you look spectacular. You look even better then you did at the Yule Ball.” Harry kept looking over Hermione when he heard a muffled yelp from behind. Harry turned around to see Dudley cheating on his diet with two cookie boxes and a bag of potato chips. “What do you want Dudley? Go away.” Harry flexes his arms scaring Dudley back into his room.

 

“Is that all he does? I haven't seen him without food in his hands or mouth since I've been here.” Harry chuckled.

 

“No, that's about all he does since he was put on his diet.” Hermione chuckled back. “Pathetic isn't he? Well, ready?”

 

“I'm ready.” Holding her hand they went downstairs with smiles bright enough to blind anyone who looked. When they got outside Harry thought he saw the grass move as though someone was walking on it, but he figured he was just seeing things.

 

They walked to the restaurant holding hands. “Wow Harry, what did you do to your hair? I've never seen it look, uh, organized.” Harry smiled.

 

“I did Human Transfiguration. Since I could always make it look how it did before I figured I could change it for our, uh, you know what.”

 

“Date! I can't believe you Harry, you can say You-Know-Who's name but you can't say date! Come on, say it!” She prodded him with a finger.

 

“Look Hermione, I know what this is, and so do you, do I really need to say that?” Hermione not giving up kept prodding him.

 

“Come on Harry, if you say date I'll say You-Know-Who's name.” Harry sighed grabbing her hand to stop her.

 

“Fine Hermione. I am glad that we could go on our first…” Harry paused hoping Hermione would back out of the deal but she wouldn't let him have that satisfaction. “Date on my birthday. There now say Voldemort.” Hermione shuttered a little when Harry said it but wouldn't break the deal, she made it and wasn't going to let Harry down. “Say it Hermione or you'll be breaking the deal.”

 

“Fine Harry I'll say it. Vol, Vol-Voldemort!” She yelled it so loudly people on the street stared at her. Hermione laughed even louder to break the tension. “There, happy Harry?” Hary nods.

 

“I will be when we get to the restaurant.” Holding her hand they walked the rest of the chatting about how strange it would be doing this. He thought he heard a chuckle from behind them but no one was there, he was just hearing things, or so he told himself. Nothing was going to ruin this for Harry.

 

“I don't know Harry; it would be great if you think about it. We have been friends for almost five years and been through so much. You know me and I know you, a lot better then trying to date someone you don't know, right?” Harry nodded.

 

“But what if it doesn't work out? I don't want our friendship to die because we couldn't stay together as a couple. I would much rather have you as a friend then a girlfriend.” Hermione smiled and rest her head on his shoulder.

 

“Don't worry Harry, if you ever decide to break up with me I can hex you into something no other woman would want and make sure only I could break the spell.” She laughed at the joke but made Harry nervous knowing she could do something like that. Hermione was lost in her thoughts holding Harry's hand. She had been friends with him ever since he saved her from the troll in their first year. She never really saw him as the Famous Harry Potter he was just Harry to her. He was able to slay a Basilisk his second year to save Ginny using the things she found to do it. She first saw him as something more then a friend when he came back with Ginny not wanting to be a hero. He had saved Hogwarts from closing, killed a Basilisk, saved the lady in distress, and all he wanted to do was make sure she was ok. Her third year she had trouble being around him but was glad to help him save Sirius and Buckbeak even though she had to stop him from capturing Peter. She felt horrible about it but Dumbledore told them to save Buckbeak and Sirius, not stop Peter from escaping. She felt horrible her fourth year saying yes to Krum for the Yule Ball instead of going with Harry. But Harry hadn't asked, she wasn't sure how he felt, he was obsessed with Cho after all. Krum wasn't that bad of a dancer or kisser but he wasn't Harry. His eyes, his hair, he had changed it for her, for their date. She couldn't believe she was about to go out on a real date with her best friend.

 

After walking and talking for what seemed to be forever they got to the restaurant. As they entered they could feel the cool air conditioned air and the humidity go away. “Wow, place looks fancy Hermione, sure we are dressed up enough?” Harry kept looking around as they walked up to a woman standing at the counter. “Uh, we are here to eat, obviously. Are there any tables open?”

 

“Name?” Hermione interrupted Harry.

 

“Granger and Potter, table for two, preferably near the back.” Harry looked at her strangely as the woman showed them a table. After sitting down and getting menus Harry looked at Hermione again.

 

“How did you do that? I didn't know you could do that without your wand.” Hermione laughed and gave Harry a look.

 

“Idiot, I called and made reservations! Do you really think we could have just gotten in? I made reservations when we got back to your house that day.”

 

“Oh, I didn't even think about that.” Harry said softly, embarrassed he hadn't thought of something like that and immediately thought that it was magic. Getting tea and bread to start off with they browsed through the restaurant menus. “Go ahead and get what you want Hermione. Mr. Spinnet paid me today so our uh, you know, will be done the right way.” Hermione looked up.

 

“Harry, it's your birthday, I'm paying, and it's a date! Don't make me tell you again or I'll get you when we are back at school.” She went back to her menu and decided what she wanted.

 

“No, I am paying, if this is a, you know, a date, then I am paying. I am a man, and I am paying for this dinner. You are a woman, and on a date the man pays for it.” Hermione smiled trying her best impression of the cat from Alice in Wonderland.

 

“Fine Harry, you can pay, but I think this Fillet Minong Steak with potatoes looks really good, sure you'll be able to afford it?” Harry found it on his menu, gaped at the price but wasn't worried.

 

“Don't worry Hermione, I can afford it.” Harry went over the menu and found the cheapest fish on the menu in hopes it would work out. Another woman waiter walked over and they gave their orders.

 

“Ok, should only be about twenty minutes.” The waitress left them alone and that's when it happened. Hermione leaned over and kissed Harry again, like she had earlier, but this time Harry saw it coming and was ready for it. They kissed for almost five minutes before their lips and tongues got tired.

 

“Wow, thanks I guess, definitely happy birthday to me.” Harry held her hands looking into her eyes, but was distracted by the thoughts in his head.

 

“Yes Harry, happy birthday to you. I can't believe that a month ago I was feeling like hell, and now I am feeling like heaven. Who needs magic when we have this?” She squeezed his hand and leaned over kissing him on his lips lightly. “I hope we can do this again Harry, it's so nice to be together as a couple.” Harry let go of her hands as the waitress came over with their food. After eating they sat and talked some more until the bill got their.

 

“Hermione, could you bring those sandwiches to the new work site tomorrow? The guys really liked them, and so did I. What did you do to them? None of us could figure it out.” Hermione set her silverware down.

 

“Just something I learned when in Rome. You take the bread and add pepper and ginger with some garlic to it to give it more flavor.”

 

“Well, could you Hermione?” Harry hoped she said yes, they were really good and he wanted to try them again.

 

“I guess I could Harry. Seeing you work is really strange though. To see how muggles have to do build things is something every wizard and witch should do. Make us appreciate our abilities more and not take them for granted the way some do.” Before Harry could say anything the waitress arrived with the bill.

 

“Wow, 112 pounds and 21 pence. That's without the tip, that is a lot more then I thought it would be.” Harry got his wallet out and pulled the money out. Deciding that it didn't really matter he got all 150 pounds out and sat it down on the bill. “There, that should cover it all.” But Hermione was straining and Harry started to get worried.

 

“Wait Harry, it's only 129 pounds and 4 pence, not 150 pounds.” She reached over and grabbed 20 pounds.

 

“But Hermione, it doesn't really matter, does it? This is our first date and after this I don't know if we will have another one.” Hermione looked up and kicked him from underneath the table. “I mean another date that requires Muggle money.” He quickly added when Hermione looked like she was about to kick him again for saying this would be their only date. “You know what I mean?”

 

“Oh, well, I was hoping we could come again before we left for Hogwarts.” Looking down at her plate she was sorry for kicking him.

 

“Alright, but you keep it for now alright? I don't need it right now, and I should make more before we leave through the new job site.” They stood up and left remembering how good of a time they just had. But before they got out the door they heard a laugh and something moving behind them, just like earlier when they were out running. They turned around but there was nothing there! “Let's get out of here now Hermione.” Harry grabbed her arm and nearly dragged her out of the restaurant to get away from whatever it was that followed apparently followed them

 

Walking down the street they realized that they had spent a long time in there, the sun had set. It was dark and they stayed close together a little worried about what they couldn't see. Halfway there was a noise, a trash can falling over. Harry reached for his wand, but he didn't have it, he left it in his room. Hermione had brought hers out and was pointing it at the trash can. “Who's there?” A laugh came from no where.

 

“Wotcher, put that down before a muggle sees it!” Harry recognized the voice almost immediately.

 

“Tonks? What are you doing here?” A woman with bright orange hair appeared from underneath an Invisibility Cloak.

 

“Sorry about that Harry, but the Order had me following you today since it was my turn.” Tucking away her cloak, Harry started to get angry.

 

“Tonight is your turn Tonks? You mean you have been following me and Hermione all summer or what? And what Order? What is going on?” Hermione put her wand away but was getting mad too.

 

“I haven't, Mundungus, Sirius, a couple others have been too. But tonight was my turn so yes I have been following you. The Order is my business and not for you to know.” Hermione grabbed Harry's hand when he started shaking from his anger.

 

“Why the hell are you so interested in me? We were to be alone tonight and here it is I haven't been alone ever! Leave me alone now damn it, I may not have my wand but I don't need magic to take care of you or any other Order members!” Tonks backed away when Harry broke Hermione's grip. He was marching towards her with a fury inside of him he had never felt before. His rage built inside as he thought of all the times him and Hermione had done something, knowing they had been there watching them! How dare they do that! A loud crack was heard and Sirius appeared next to Tonks.

 

“Harry, calm down it wasn't you we were worried about, well, not completely. Tonks, it's ok.” Tonks had been hiding behind Sirius afraid of what Harry might do as his face became even redder from anger. “Hermione was attacked by Death Eaters once and we were worried that they might go after her again.” Harry couldn't stand it anymore, his privacy had been violated, and Hermione's.

 

“Leave us alone, NOW!” The glass window on the front of a TV store shattered as did car windows and the windows of a house nearest them.

 

“Harry calm down, we didn't hurt anything and we were trying to keep you and Hermione safe.” Sirens could be heard from the distance. “Apparently this store had a muggle security alarm in it; we better get going before the muggle police show up.” Harry and Hermione began walking the back towards #4 Privet Drive with Tonks and Sirius close behind. “Wait up Harry; you know you can't lose us so what's the point of running?” They tried to walk faster but the adults kept right behind them.

 

When they got to the front of the house Harry turned around again. “Why are you following us? Go away and leave us alone for once this summer!” Sirius grabbed Harry by the arm and spun him around.

 

“Listen Harry, the Death Eaters are after both of you, you need protection so don't be getting mad at us, Dumbledore thought it would be best.” Hermione was just as mad as Harry, all the things they had done, every time they had kissed, all watched by these perverts! “You need this protection to be safe.”

 

“Look, its nice and all, but your Order can go to hell for all we care. We were trying to be normal teenagers celebrating Harry's birthday and here we are being watched by perverts! Damn you Sirius and your Order, and you!” Hermione pointed at Tonks “What right do you have to spy on us! You stalked us all night didn't you? It was you this morning too wasn't it!? I knew I heard footsteps, I knew I did, and it was you!” Hermione turned around and stormed into the house barely keeping herself from screaming. Tonks started to follow but Sirius told her not to since he wanted Harry to apologize to her. Harry was also going to follow her but Sirius grabbed his arm again.

 

“Harry, we didn't watch you all the time, just the times you left the house.” Harry knocked Sirius's arm away.

 

“And that's supposed to make me feel better? How dare you do this, I trusted you and now I find out you have been watching me, been only feet away, but never said anything. You're the first thing I've had that was remotely close to having parents and you do this! How could you Sirius, I trusted you, I wanted to be with you, live with you, but here you are just feet away from me for weeks and you don't say anything. I thought you loved me, I thought you wanted me to live with you.” Harry balled his hand into a fist wanting to punch him, hating him. “I trusted you Sirius!”

 

“Harry, I do love you, I do want you to live with me, but you can't and you know it. As long as I am a fugitive I can't have you near me. What would have happened if Campbell had seen me? He seems like a nice guy, he even took the rap for your use of magic. But trust me, he would have told the Ministry the second he has seen me and I would be back in Azkaban again. Is that what you want Harry?”

 

“NO!” Harry took a punch at Sirius but missed.

 

“Harry, stop it!” Sirius grabbed Harry pinning his arms to his side. Harry struggles at first but then Sirius mumbles something and Harry finds he can't break Sirius's grip. “Listen to me Harry. Do you want the Death Eaters to hurt Hermione? From what Tonks told me you two are together as more then friends.” Harry blushed feeling it creep up his neck his rage and embarrassment. “Do you want something to happen to her?” He shook Harry before he let him go when Harry had calmed down. “Are you going to behave now Harry?” Harry having been let go turned around and nearly yelled but caught himself. He was an adult; he was not going to act like Ron.

 

“Look Sirius, I am fifteen, I am almost an adult, not a child. I understand why you did it, but damn it Sirius, you could have told us.” Harry tried to calm down, remembering his new idea, to become a mature adult, not to behave like Ron. “Are you going to continue watching us? Because if you are it's alright now that we know about it. We have enemies who would do more then watch us snogging and we need the protection. Tonks” Harry sighed, a sign of surrender, as he finally calmed down enough to let him think clearly, “I guess it is better you then someone like Mrs. Weasly watching us.” Tonks smiled and put her hand on his face.

 

“Don't worry, she is to busy with all her kids to be watching another one. Although I guess you aren't a kid from what I saw.” Harry blushed.

 

“Alright, can I go in and check on Hermione now? I don't know if it was you or me that made her mad. I'm sorry about how I reacted Tonks, and really sorry Sirius that I almost punched you. I am an adult; I can't behave like a child anymore! I am not like Ron; I am like you Sirius, a man, not an Immature Git.” Sirius nodded and Harry said goodbye to both as calmly as he could straining and clenching his jaw.

 

“Sirius you shouldn't be worried about them. He has no self-esteem and Hermione gives it to him, and he gives her some too. That girl has no idea how great she really is, they give each other the self-esteem they need.” Sirius scowled.

 

“I don't trust her Tonks, because of her I am still a fugitive and Harry has to live there.” Sirius pointed towards #4 Privet Drive. “How could he still trust her after she stopped him from saving me.” He sat down on the ground to weak to stand from his emotions. “I could be at home with Harry right now, he could be eating dinner with me, and he could have his own room. But she had to stop him from capturing Peter and I am on the run. I hate her! Why the hell did Dumbledore tell me to take her here anyways, I don't trust her?” His rage made him feel even worse getting this angry at some little girl his Godson, no Son, had apparently fallen for. Tonks sat next to him trying to comfort him.

 

“He has his reasons Sirius. But how can you blame her for that? She did what Dumbledore told her to do just like you did when he told you to take her here. She makes Harry happy and gives him confidence, self esteem, a smile on his face you didn't see.” Sirius ran his hand through his hair like he had seen his best friend do before Voldemort killed him. “Harry's happy now.”

 

“I guess Tonks but I love Harry, he is my son, I don't like that Hermione girl but Harry does. I hope when he gets back to school he will meet someone better, like that Cho girl, he told me about her. He had a crush on her, she is a Quidditch player maybe he will leave Hermione when they get back for her. Right now he doesn't have a choice; she is probably pressuring him into all of this. She doesn't care about Harry she just wants to be the girlfriend of the Famous Harry Potter…”

 

“You don't know that, they have been friends for four years has Harry ever told you anything that would make you say that?” Sirius shook his head. “Then she probably likes him for who he is not what he is. She didn't even know about Famous Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived for most her life, much better then someone who knows him as Famous Harry Potter right Sirius?” Sirius didn't want to admit she was right and apparated out of there before she made him answer.

 

Harry went into the house leaving Tonks and Sirius out on the front lawn. When he got upstairs he saw Hermione had already changed into her pajamas and was lying in bed. “Sorry Hermione, I wanted our first date to be perfect. I can't believe what they did to us. I'm sorry, goodnight Hermione.” As he left Hermione replies.

 

“Come here Harry, hold me, I need you.” So Harry went over and lay next to her, holding her as she cried. With his clothes still on it was uncomfortable at first, but Hermione needed him, he needed her. “Happy Birthday Harry, I am sorry they had to ruin it.” He wanted to tell her what he said after she left but holding Hermione made Harry forget about what had just happened with Sirius and Tonks.

 

“No they didn't Hermione, no they didn't.” As they fell asleep Harry listened to her heart beat, felt the warmth of her skin, her chest moving up and down as she breathed. This is the best day of my life; I wish it would never have to end.”

 

 

The next day Harry woke up next to Hermione still in his clothes from last night. Her body felt so nice against his, the warmth, the smell of her hair, the way her chest moved as she breathed, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and got out of the bed. He went over to his room to change into his running clothes but decided he didn't feel like it knowing he would be followed. He went and took a shower trying to use the water to beat the anger out of him. The water cooling him off both physically and emotionally Harry figured that it was time to get ready for work. Leaving Hermione in bed Harry dressed for work and headed out.

 

Harry walked to the job site ready to get to work, maybe the strain and action would get his mind off of what Sirius and Tonks had done. Along the way he kept telling himself over and over “I am older, I am mature, and I will prove myself as a man. I am not an Immature Git like Ron, I am a man.” But every time he heard a noise he was ready to curse everything around him to find the person watching him. As he got there he saw only Michael was there with a woman sitting on his lap. “Michael? Is this your girl you told me about?” Harry trying to act and sound like one of the guys held his hand out to greet the woman.

 

“Ah Harry, this is Michelle, from France originally, and yes she is my woman!” He nuzzled her neck making her squeal and got off his lap.

 

“Hi Harry, nice to meet you, Michael told me about you and your strange scar.” She shook his hand as she looked at the lightning bolt scar on his forehead and went back to Michael to kiss him on his cheek.

 

“Sorry babe, but looks like you are going to have to work soon.” She hopped up and ran over to a small car to leave.

 

“Bye honey, see you tonight.” Michael mimicked a kiss and blew it to her. She laughed as she drove off. Harry seeing how they acted was writing notes in his head.

 

“Maybe I should call Hermione honey next time I see her, she might like that.” Grabbing a shovel Harry went to work shoveling mulch off the back of the truck.

 

Later in the day Harry was taking a break sitting drinking a glass of water when he felt someone sneak up from behind. He turned around ready to yell at Sirius or whoever it was underneath the Invisibility Cloak he had seen last night when he knocked his glass over and spilled it all over Hermione. “Thanks Harry.” She shook her shirt but it was soaked and was on her shorts also. Harry saw she had brought sandwiches and had already set them down on another table.

 

“Sorry Honey.” Harry tried it out, didn't sound too bad to him.

 

“Don't try sweet talking me Harry.” She tried to ring the bottom of her shirt out but all she did was pull it down and wrinkle it. “It wouldn't be so bad if I could use magic outside of school. The charm for this is so simple I could probably do it without my wand.” But as her shirt stayed wet Harry figured she was wrong.

 

“Sorry Hermione, I thought you were one of them.” Harry looks around for them. Harry then starts to feel his face turn red as it moved up his neck and to his face. “Uh, did you like it when I called you Honey or did it sound strange?” Harry blushes a little, but not as much as he would have before.

 

“It's alright Harry, but why did you call me that?” Harry started to explain it when Campbell came over.

 

“Hey Hermione, thanks for the food. We asked Harry if you could bring them over and I guess he was able to sweet talk you into it. By the way, what do you do to these? They taste strange, because the ham and bread wouldn't make it taste like this, what do you add?” Hermione smiled still trying to dry her shirt out.

 

“I just add spices to the bread; make it have a flavor you don't normally get. Learned about it when I was in Rome for vacation….” Her face went white with terror the second she remembered about the vacation, the attack. Harry got up and took her onto the front porch where she could sit on a large wooden swing.

 

“It's ok Hermione; it won't happen again, it's why they watch us, to protect us.” He looked around wondering where they were right now. “You know you aren't in danger as long as I am here, I won't leave you alone.” He kept trying to comfort her but all the words didn't sound right. Hermione leaned over and hugged him burying her face into his chest.

 

“Thank you Harry, you'll protect me with those big strong muscles won't you?” She tried to laugh, tried to keep herself from crying.

 

“That's right, uh, Honey. I won't let them hurt you.” She hugged him again and got up.

 

“So, why did you start calling me honey?” He explained it to her this time uninterrupted. “Awww, that's so sweet Harry!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him leaving him speechless. He pushed her off him and backed away,

 

“Hermione, you know they are watching us, right?”

 

“You're right; we should give them a better show.” She jumped on him again and kissed him deep, getting her tongue past his lips. Finished with embarrassing Harry she let go. “There, that should keep you happy until you get home.” She turned around and walked away.

 

 

When he got home he put the plate Hermione used to carry the sandwiches in the sink and headed upstairs for a shower. He admired his new body in the mirror and liked how his hair did exactly what he told it to do. Keeping it shorter then before he still had it spiked up so it didn't look that different. “I wonder where she is since I didn't see her when I got home.” He dressed and walked out looking for her. He had cleared upstairs and the backyard and was starting to get worried when he saw her running up to the house. “There you are! I was getting worried, where were you!” Harry stalked over to her and nearly knocked her down when he hugged her. Laying down so Hermione could rest her lungs and muscles from the run Harry began. “Why didn't you leave a note or anything, I was worried about you, didn't know where you were.” Softly into her ear Harry breathed out. “If something had happened and I hadn't protected you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.” Hermione rolled over and kissed him making him blush a bright red. Hermione stifled a laugh and pushed Harry away.

 

“Sorry about that Harry, I went running since I missed it this morning. I thought I would get back before you did but I caught Tonks following me and I talked to her for a little bit.” Hermione looks away from Harry.

 

“Oh.” Harry was wondering what exactly they talked about but Hermione wasn't going to give him the chance to ask.

 

“So you told them you are a man did you? Well, you are my man Harry, all mine.” They got up and walked into the house going into the guest room. She hugged him and kissed him lightly on the lips as she left the room to take shower. Harry waited for her to come back, he wanted to find out what Tonks and Hermione had talked about, it was eating him up inside not to know.

 

Half an hour later Hermione walked in not realizing Harry was still there. She was going through her clothes deciding what to wear when Harry asked. “What did you and Tonks talk about honey?” Hermione jumped grabbing her towel before it fell off.

 

“Harry get out of here!” She threw a shirt at him as he ran out not knowing what he was doing.

 

“I am such an idiot; she doesn't want to talk about it. If she had she would have told me. Harry went to his room finally able to relax now that he knew she was ok. Hedwig flew to him dropping a package on his lap startling Harry. “What's this?” He tore the package open and saw a Quaffle with autographs of every living Quidditch Captain of Gryffindor. A note was stuck to it.

 

Happy Birthday Harry!

 

May not be a sack of gold or a trophy with your name on it but thought you would like it. Bill and Charlie helped me find the others to get them to sign it. Even better we need a new Captain this year so maybe you can get them to sign it too! Or even better if you get made Captain you can sign it, wouldn't that be cool? So, find out who our Prefects are yet? Well, besides Hermione? Wonder where she is now, I think it's somewhere in Germany if I remember what she told me right.

 

Bill and Fleur set next summer for their wedding date saying they don't want to rush into it. But I think it's because we don't have the money to pay for it. It sucks knowing that Bill and Fleur have to wait because we are to poor to pay for it. But when Fred and George get off their backsides and get a job next year they will be able to help pay the bills. Percy could help but he is still being a bloody dolt about what happened. The Ministry doesn't want to say You-Know-Who is back and Percy agrees with them, that stupid git.

 

For some reason Mom and Dad go somewhere every Tuesday and Friday but won't tell us where or why. I think it has something to do with Dumbledore since I ease dropped on them a couple times to find out what is going on. It was real easy with these Extendable Ears Fred and George made. Where they got the money for all the things they've made I don't know since they said Bagman never paid them, maybe he did and they don't want Mum to know.

 

Oh and Ginny has become a real terror now. She has last time I counted five boyfriends Dean being one of them, can't wait to get him alone at Hogwarts. Mom keeps telling her she better stay true to her name but Ginny just tells her to shut up. Going to Diagon Alley the week before we leave for Hogwarts and want to know if you want to go together to get our stuff. I'll probably write Hermione to ask her too, but not sure if we really need her there. She'll probably act like Percy with her Prefect Badge and I still remember how annoying that was.

 

 

Your Friend;

Ron

 

 

Harry sat it down with it and read it again holding the Quaffle in his lap. “What's that?” Hermione walked in and sat next to him on the bed.

 

“Ron sent it for my birthday, want to read his letter?” Hermione snatched it and read it while Harry set the Quaffle up on a shelf.

 

“Wait a minute Harry, we never told him I was attacked! Hmpf, thinking I'll act like Percy just because I made Prefect. Wait, how did he know that I was made Prefect? I didn't tell him, and you didn't either or else you would have told him where I was. How did he know?” Harry laughed a bit.

 

“Come on Hermione, who else in our House would make Prefect over you?” She pushed him a little.

 

“Just because I am good in classes doesn't mean I was going to be made a Prefect. After all I was with you two on a lot of the things we did.” She gave the letter back to Harry and left the room.

 

“I guess I'll write him back.” But doubted she heard.

 

 

Hey Ron

 

Thank you Ron for the Quaffle, it is really cool and is a lot better then gold or some trophy because it comes from you, my best friend. But you need to know that Hermione isn't in Germany, she's here. She was attacked by Death Eaters while on vacation and Sirius brought her here hoping she would be protected by the same thing that protects me.

 

I hope you are alright, if they attacked Hermione they might come after you. By the way, I am the other Prefect, but as we knew Hermione is the other Prefect. I was going to write you and tell you all this but you told me to wait so I did. If you are mad that I didn't write sooner you have only yourself to blame Ron since you did tell me to wait to write back.

 

Sorry to hear you have to deal with Ginny, but what do you mean stay true to her name? Although I am glad to hear she is no longer after me but I bet it would be better if she was with me then some stranger or Dean. But she is growing up and you can not protect her all the time now can you Ron? Makes me kind of glad I don't have a sister to deal with or brothers either really. I have you and Hermione and Sirius, what more could I want?

 

For Diagon, how about the second Monday before we leave for Hogwarts? We need to get our stuff and might need a place to stay. I'm not sure how we are getting there since I know my Uncle won't drive us to get our things.

 

 

See You Soon;

Harry and Hermione

 

Hermione crept up behind Harry as he finished his letter. Reading over his shoulder she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. “You know Ginny's real name is Virginia, that's the name they want her to stay true too.” Harry laughed and kissed Hermione back as he got the joke.

 

“Well, she is only fourteen; I doubt she would be doing anything like that. We are a year older and we have only kissed so Ginny doing more then snogging probably isn't going to happen.” Hermione kissed him again, this time on the lips going around the chair to get in his lap. Harry not knowing why she suddenly changed like this was lost in the moment. His mind having thoughts that had never crossed his mind before. Thinking of what Ron meant in his joke, Hermione in his arms, her skin soft….

 

“Whoa, back off Hermione.” Harry pushed her off him and backed away until he tripped and fell on his bed. Hermione followed him to the bed and climbed on top of him kissing him again. Harry pushed her off him again rolling her over so that she lay next to him.

 

“What was that about? Didn't you like it?” Hermione sat up looking hurt that Harry didn't like what she did.

 

“It's not that Hermione, uh, Honey, but maybe we shouldn't be doing things like that. I liked it, believe me I liked it, but I don't think we should do that, at least not here.” He smiled trying to make her stop looking at him like that. Hermione still looking hurt grabbed his hand and lead him to her room.

 

“Is this better Harry?” Hermione sat on her bed patting it for Harry to sit down but Harry doesn't.

 

“Look, I like you Hermione, but I don't want you doing something like that right now. I have all these thoughts in my head and have been trying to get them out but you make it so hard for me to do.” He pleaded with Hermione but she didn't care.

 

“Listen here Harry, I wasn't going to do anything like that, and I'm not a slut! I just wanted to kiss you, really badly; I don't know why, I just did.” She crossed her arms getting mad at Harry.

 

“All right Hermione, I'm sorry I thought that, but I have no idea how to do this. At least you dated Krum and know what to do.” He tried to get her to calm down.

 

“Fine! I see how it is Harry, I'm just something you use and throw away, did you, the Famous Harry Potter find something better? Was it Tonks? I saw how you looked at her! Here I am talking to her, telling her how great our date had been and here you are thinking about her!” She started leaving but Harry stopped her.

 

“No, it's just I don't know what to do! I mean, at school if I don't know what to do I go to you, or Ron, or Dumbledore, but this is different, I can't go to anyone for this.” Hermione broke his hold and turned around.

 

“What do you mean you can't come to me? I am right here, and if it concerns us then you should be coming to me!” She pushed him away, knocking him onto the bed. She stormed out of the room slamming the door shut. Harry thought about following her but decided to let her calm down.

 

“I can't believe I am such a bloody idiot. But I don't know what to do!” He punched the bed and left to work on the garden. Watering, weeding, all of it helping Harry gets his mind off Hermione, but he was done, the sun was setting, and he hadn't heard her come back. “She'll be ok, Tonks is watching after her.” Harry went into the house, tired from working and from fighting.

 

 

Harry thought he was dreaming, but when he heard the breathing knew he wasn't. Hermione was massaging his back laying next to him on his bed. “You awake Harry? I came in and saw you were sleeping so I figured I would join you.” She nuzzled his back wrapping her arms around him.

 

“What time is it?” Hermione rolled over to look at the clock.

 

“It's not time to go to work; I don't even think the sun is up. She went to roll over but Harry had already done so. Kissing her on her lips he hugged her and pressed himself against her.

 

“You had me worried last night, I got done working on the garden and you still hadn't come back, but I knew Tonks would be following you.” He kissed her on her neck letting the warmth of her skin wake him up.

 

“Stop it Harry, I want to get out of bed today.” She rolled over and out of bed laughing.

 

“But the sun isn't even up yet, what else is there to do.” Harry got out on his side of the bed and walked to the window seeing that the sun was just starting to peak up above the horizon.

 

“Harry, come here.” Harry turned around to see Hermione sitting in his desk chair.

 

“What is it Hermione?” Worried he sat down on the desk. Hermione grabbed his hands and started.

 

“What is it you want to know? You said you didn't have anyone to go to even though you do. Ask me whatever you want and I'll tell you if I can.” Harry had a million questions in his head but he had to choose them carefully.

 

“Why me? Why not Ron or Neville? What am I suppose to do to keep you happy? I don't want you mad at me; I don't want to lose you as a friend, I would rather nothing happen then lose you as a friend.” Hermione kissed his hands smiling.

 

“I chose you because I like you Harry. Ron is a friend, but I've heard you talk about him, and you're right, he is an Immature Git. Where did you get Neville from? I know he asked me last year to the Yule Ball but I think that was just because he was looking for the first girl to say yes, which happened to be Ginny.” She stood up and hugged him. “And if you want to keep me happy just keep doing what you've been doing. I know we fought already but that was just nerves. I like you Harry, a lot, and it would take more then a little fight like that to break us up.” She let go of Harry kissing him on the forehead. Harry couldn't accept such a simple answer after all his years of being worthless to everyone he knew.

 

“But why Hermione?! I don't get it of course you like me we are friends, but why! I am nothing compared to you, you are smarter then me, braver then me, you are better then me. Why should you lower yourself to be with me when you could have someone better which isn't saying much since I can only think of three people worse then me.” Hermione raised an eyebrow waiting for him to elaborate.

 

“Like who Harry?”

 

“You know, Dudley, Malfoy, and Voldemort. Other then that everyone is better then me, Ron, Seamus, Dean, Neville even. He tries so hard even when he fails time after time while I just give up and wait for you to find something that saves the day. You figured out the riddle to get to the Stone our first year, you figured out it was a Basilisk our second year, it was your Time Turner that allowed us to save Buck Beak and Sirius, and last year it was you who helped me learn what I needed for the Triwizard Tournament. I am only worth being mentioned because of Voldemort, if he had never marked me I would be nothing more then Harry Potter, idiot, weakling, coward, and worthless instead of Harry Potter, idiot, weakling, coward, worthless, and the Boy Who Lived.” Hermione slapped him when he finished his sentence.

 

“Shut up Harry you are not a coward! You fought Quirrel, a teacher and possessed by You-Know-Who! You killed a Basilisk and beat Tom Riddle! You fought off a hundred Dementors with a spell I don't have mastered yet! You dueled against You Know Who and lived! I mean Voldemort. I only know of one Wizard who has done this and that's Albus Dumbledore.”

 

“All because you did the hard work, you used that wonderful brain of yours to make it all possible.” Harry taps her on the forehead. “I would have been dead my first year if it wasn't for you.” Hermione hugged him hard.

 

“So would I Harry, you saved me from the Mountain Troll, you went to warn me when you learned about it, you fought a Mountain Troll with your bare hands and saved me.” Harry hugged her back feeling the warmth coming off her as it comforted him greatly. Harry was trying to think of something else to ask, he had so many but knew he only had time to ask a couple more.

 

“Hermione, I am sorry for this but how much did you do with Krum? I've never held hands or kissed a girl until you I've never had anyone interested in me.” Hermione looked in his eyes at this.

 

“What do you mean Harry? How many dozens of girls asked you to the Yule Ball last year?” Harry shook his head.

 

“They didn't ask me they asked the Boy Who Lived, the Triwizard Champion, and the Famous Harry Potter. If I didn't have that no one would have asked my ugly ass.” He lowered his forehead on her shoulder breathing in her scent.

 

“Ugly? Are you kidding me Harry? You consider yourself ugly?” Hermione had no idea that Harry had such self image problems, that he considered himself to be useless, ugly, a coward.

 

“Look at me with my ugly scar, these damn glasses, stunted growth because of being treated worse then a dog by the Dursley's, why you are lowering yourself to me I don't know and I don't want you to be miserable because you think we should be together.” Hermione pushed him away leaving for her room. “Damn it now I've gone and pissed her off.” Harry lays down on his bed not hearing Hermione come back in. Grabbing him by his hair she pulled him up forcefully.

 

“Look in this mirror Harry, you are not ugly, you are not worthless, you are a great friend, a great person, and I am not lowering myself to be with you, we are equals Harry.” Harry saw his reflection, his eyes, hair, face, and that damn scar.

 

“You don't have to lie to me Hermione to make me feel better, I am only good for one thing and that is to become a murderer. Once I kill Voldemort for taking my parents, Cedric, countless others, I will be worthless. When I kill him my life will be over and I will probably just kill myself to get it over with.” Hermione was ready to cry in frustration at Harry's words. Harry lay back down wishing Hermione would go away and leave him alone, She didn't.

 

“Don't you dare say that Harry! Ron loves you like a brother, Ginny is a friend, and so are Neville and Dean and Seamus! What about Sirius, Dumbledore, or Remus? You are more then the Boy Who Lived to us Harry.” Sitting next to him Hermione put a hand on his chest rubbing it. “You are a lot more then that to me Harry.” Lying next to him she put her arm around him.

 

“Hermione you are the smartest witch I know and yet you can be so thick sometimes. I am not a good person, I have to kill someone, I have to for what he has done. How can you like a murderer? Someone like you deserve better then me. Besides once I kill him I can die and be with my parents again, my life will be complete with my death.” Hermione squeezed his arm hard.

 

“No Harry it won't be, you will leave your family here. Sirius loves you like you were his own son. Remus has you and loves you like a nephew and Dumbledore has you like a grandson. Ron is your brother, Ginny is your sister, I am your girlfriend, you have family and loved ones here Harry. You don't want to hurt us do you?” Harry shook his head. “Then don't talk like that Harry. You are worth more then any amount of gold, you are a good person, and you aren't a murderer. You-Know-Who, Voldemort doesn't have enough human left in him to die does he?”

 

“He has me in him, he has my blood, and because of me Voldemort is back. Something else that is my fault, so are all the people he has killed since he returned. I already am a murderer, my parents, Cedric, all died because of me.” Hermione pinched him hard on the arm this time.

 

“No you are not Harry for that was You Know Who, not you. It isn't your fault and you can't keep blaming yourself because of it! Stop thinking that Harry or you won't be able to live. Let's put it to rest for now alright Harry? I don't want to fight with you anymore, at least for now.” Hermione snuggled up against him. Thinking of a way to put it so Hermione wouldn't hex him Harry nearly shouted

 

“How far do you want to go with this? I mean…” She put a finger on his lips to quiet him.

 

“Right now I want to do what you want, if you only want to hold hands I can live with it.” Her voice cracked at the end making what she just said a lie to Harry.

 

“I want to do what makes you happy, but I'm not ready for some of the more serious things you might be. I've never gone out with a girl and the one I asked to the Yule Ball I treated like shit.”

 

“Harry!” Hermione snapped at the word.

 

“What? I've heard you use worse language then that when we were younger. It's true though, I treated her bad because I was obsessed with Cho…” Realizing he had mentioned Cho reminded him of Cedric which showed on his face, Hermione thought it was there for a different reason.

 

“It's ok Harry she was your first crush and if you still have feelings for her...” She looked down at her hands trying not to look him in the eyes.

 

“I don't Hermione at least not like that. I still like her as a friend and a Quidditch player but I know she is wrong for me, while it took me awhile, four years worth, I now know you are right for me, perfect.” He hugged her trying to make her feel better. Harry could only think of one other question he felt safe asking her. “What do we do about Ron?” Hermione got a look of worry on her face.

 

“I don't know. He acts like a little kid when he hears something he doesn't like. He threw a tantrum when I told him I wouldn't go to the Yule Ball with him like a five year old. We should wait until we see him at least, and not on the train. What about at Diagon Alley?” Harry shook his head.

 

“No, we should wait until we are alone. Then we can let him yell and scream like a baby without anyone else hearing it. Maybe try in one of the secret passages at the school Maybe the one to Hogsmeade that is collapsed. No students, no teachers, no ghosts, no one to hear him but us.”

 

“Sounds like you already had it planned out. Why did you ask me if you already knew what you were going to do?”

 

“Because I wanted to hear if you thought it would work. You are the smartest person I know Hermione and if my plan was flawed you would know it, wouldn't you?” Harry sat down on his bed when he heard yelling from downstairs.

 

“HARRY! You're late for work, get over there now!” Harry looked at the clock; they had been talking for over two ours!

 

“Sorry Honey I have to go.” Harry jumped off the bed and ran downstairs as fast as he could.

 

 

Not having been late since then Harry felt alright asking Mr. Spinnet for payment since they had just finished the job. “Sir, I want to talk to you again about what we talked about before.” Mr. Spinnet held his hand up to stop Harry.

 

“I know Harry; I already got your payment. I felt kind of bad about last time, over a month's worth of working and I only paid you 150 pounds. I know you didn't care because you didn't know, but this time I will pay you what you deserve.” He reached into his truck and gave Harry 430 pounds.

 

“Wow, I don't need this much Mr. Spinnet, really, last time the 150 pounds was enough. I still had 20 pounds left afterwards.” Harry gawked at the amount in his hands. He had a fortune in wizard money but this was the most muggle money he ever had in his 15 years, 14 of them at the Dursley's.

 

“Don't worry Harry, that's not even a third of what each of us made this week. Buy your girl something nice, they like jewelry, maybe flowers for your next date.” Harry put the money in his pocket wondering what he should get her.

 

 

For the past three days they had slept in Harry's bed waiting for their next date. Harry having had the three days off, no more working had allowed him and Hermione more time to run farther and farther. That day they ran for over two hours ending up in a town Harry had never seen. They stopped and walked for a bit looking around them at all the stores. It was like Hogsmeade, but no magic, just more shops. “Harry, come here!” Harry ran over. “Look at those.” Hermione pointed into a store filled with rings and necklaces, ear rings, and bracelets. Harry looked them over and was glad that Mr. Spinnet had given him the extra money.

 

“Hermione, I know your birthday isn't until next month, when we are at school, but what if I got something from here?” Hermione was busy looking through the window at all the things they had.

 

“Really? But Harry, you don't have to get me something like that.” She pointed to a gold necklace.

 

“Is that what you want Hermione?” Harry felt the money in his pocket. The necklace was only 90 pounds, what else could he get her?

 

“Harry you don't have to, I'm serious.” But Harry had made up his mind already.

 

“Stay here, I'll be right back.” He went into the store and got the necklace which Hermione could see him do through the window. But he sees something else, a bracelet made of gold with settings for three stones. “Sir, how much is that?” The man pulled it out of the show case.

 

“Without any stones it's 75 pounds, but you can add any assortment of stones you like.” He pulls out a sheet with a list of prices. “Just say what you want and I can put the stones in it right now.” He went over to another customer leaving Harry alone. Harry looking at the sheet knew his birthstone was a ruby. But what was Hermione's?

 

“September, it's not topaz or diamond, I should ask her, she would know, but this is going to be a surprise.” Harry kept mumbling to himself drawing attention from the man behind the counter.

 

“Sir, what is your problem?” Harry set the list down.

 

“Well, my friend's birthday is in September and I don't know what her birthstone is.” The man chuckled and grabbed the list.

 

“Her birthday being September makes her birthstone sapphire. Would you like three sapphires added to the bracelet?” Harry shook his head.

 

“No, have two sapphires and one ruby. Have the ruby be in the middle if you could sir.” Harry looked at him fingers crossed.

 

“Alright kid, but that will cost 270 pounds altogether with the necklace, you able to afford that?” He said skeptically.

 

“Yes sir.” Harry pulled out 270 pounds and laid it out on the counter.

 

“Alright kid it should only take me ten or so minutes to do this. Please stays here and please, please, don't touch anything, I just washed the glass and I can't stand people putting their grubby little hands on it.” Harry nodded and looked around the store some more waiting. Harry thought time had stopped moving, he was nervous hoping Hermione would stay outside. Finally the man came out from the back with the necklace and the bracelet. “Would you like special packaging or are these good enough?” Harry thought about it but decided they were good enough. Walking out of the store he saw Hermione talking to a Tonks with bright purple hair and bronze tips. Harry tucked the bracelet into his pocket wanting to give it to Hermione when they were alone.

 

“Hi Harry, Hermione says you're getting her a necklace? Let us see it Harry!” Harry showed the gold necklace to Tonks and then gives it to Hermione who immediately puts it on her neck.

 

“It's so beautiful Harry, thank you!” She threw her arms around him giving him one of her deep breath stealing kisses. Harry thought he might blush with Tonks and other people right there watching but he didn't. Harry was too lost in Hermione and drowning in his love for her to care about others.

 

“Well then you two, best be getting back home before people start to stare.” Tonks went into the alley to put the Invisibility Cloak on as Hermione and Harry raced back to #4 Privet Drive.

 

When the two get inside Harry takes his shower and then lets Hermione in after he was done. He gets some of his better Dudley hand me down clothes on and gets the bracelet ready. They weren't going to the same restaurant for the date. They were going some place better for this date. When Harry heard Hermione get into her room he rushed over to the bathroom mirror to make sure his hair was doing as it was told. “Alright Harry, looking good.” He turned around to make sure he was set. He walked over to Hermione's room and knocked on the door, Hermione called him in. When Harry entered he went to Hermione and sat next to her on the bed. “Give me your hand honey.” Harry had been practicing this in his mind since he was waiting for the bracelet to be done, “Use honey, not Hermione, get her hand and slide it onto her wrist, and hope she likes it.” Hermione raised her right hand and Harry quickly slid the bracelet onto her wrist. Hermione eyes were wide with shock as she brought her wrist closer to her face to examine the bracelet.

 

“Harry, how much did this cost? I can't accept this, it's too much Harry, and not just money wise either. How did you know my birthstone was Sapphire?” She was amazed at the brilliance of the bracelet, the gold almost shined on its own, sapphires sparkling in the light from the lamp, the ruby in the middle just like Harry asked shone strangely, not a real red but more of an orange.

 

“You were born in September, that's how I knew. I didn't know if you would like it though, I'm glad you do, and you are going to keep it. I didn't spend 180 pounds just for you to tell me no.”

 

“You spent how much!?” Harry laughed.

 

“It wasn't enough was it Hermione?” Hermione laughed back, her face looking like she was arguing with herself then smiled and attacked him. Harry never saw it coming but soon Hermione had him on the floor her mouth sucking the life out of him. Her tongue invading his mouth as she put her hands on the back of his head. Harry felt the bracelet against his ear when Hermione moved her mouth down his neck leaving marks along the way. “Hermione, stop this.” Harry tried to say it clearly but came out more as a moan. Hermione bit into his shoulder while running her hands up underneath his shirt. Lifting his shirt over his head Hermione went onto his chest with love bites. “Honey, please stop, I don't want this to go to far, besides, we have our date tonight, we can finish this when we get back.” She bit him one more time before getting off of Harry.

 

“Alright then Harry, let me get dressed and do my hair.” She helped Harry up and nearly pushed him out of the door in her hurry to get ready for tonight. Harry having to get his shirt back right after what Hermione had done to it was busy. He had to get those thoughts out of his head.

 

“Why am I the voice of reason? I don't get why I am the one stopping her. Isn't the guy supposed to be the crazed one in a relationship and the woman the responsible one?” Harry muttered to himself fixing his hair. He checked to make sure he had the tickets in his pocket as he waited for Hermione. Becoming more nervous by the minute Harry began to get fidgety wondering what was taking Hermione so long.

 

Close to thirty minutes later Hermione stepped out of her room wearing a different dress then last time but still beautiful. He noticed she was wearing heels with this dress, making her taller then before, but looked rather uncomfortable. “Harry, could we go slowly? I'm not use to wearing these.” Hermione carefully walked down the stairs. “I practiced for about ten minutes but figured we had to get going or we would be late. You said we had to be there by nine, right?” She made it to the bottom thankful she hadn't broken an ankle.

 

“Don't worry Honey; unless it takes us over two hours to walk there we will be there with plenty of time. I don't know if you will like it or not, but I've never been to a theater so I picked the play that had the highest rating.” He felt uncomfortable admitting that he had been so shut in that a theater, something millions of people have gone to over the years, was something he had never seen until he bought the tickets. While it took them longer then Harry thought it would they got there with enough time to get situated before the theater room they were suppose to go in was ready. “Where do we sit Honey?” Harry looked around the theater, all those seats, which ones to choose?

 

“Back here Harry.” Hermione held his hand and lead him to the back, in a corner as far out of the way as possible. “If you sit to close you hurt your neck looking up the whole time. Although I don't think we will be watching much of the play.” She sat down and Harry sat next to her wondering what she meant. He had a good idea but wasn't sure if it was what he wanted or not.

 

“I wish I had something better to wear, look at some of them, wearing suits my Uncle Vernon could never think of affording.” Harry realizing that he must have been the most under dressed person there made him glad he was in the back. “I've never heard of Cats, but it was big in the States so I hope you like it Honey.” Harry held her hand as she laid her head on his shoulder.

 

The curtains pulled back as the lights dimmed down and everyone became quiet. Harry tried watching the play but Hermione was being very “persuasive” in keeping his attention. Harry surrendered to her mouth, tongue, her hands, holding onto her while snogging. He could feel her bracelet against his head, and saw the necklace; she was wearing them, looking even more beautiful then ever. “Hermione, we shouldn't be doing this, not here.” Suddenly there was a commotion in one of the middle rows of seats. They looked up and saw a man being pushed over the row behind him by nothing!

 

“What is going on Harry? Are they coming? Death Eaters?” Hermione was as pale as Nearly Headless Nick looking around in terror. But Harry knew what had happened he was sure of it.

 

“Hermione, it's not Death Eaters, it's Tonks! The guy must have tried to sit where she was under her Invisibility Cloak.” Hermione kept looking around and not seeing anyone dressed in cloaks and masks started to laugh to relieve her of all the fear that had been in her. Harry tried to keep her from getting to loud but she couldn't stop herself, she couldn't stop laughing. People started to stare at them but a couple was laughing too at what they just saw, a man being attacked by what appeared to be nothing. “Honey it wasn't that funny.” Harry patted her back when she started to cough from laughing so hard.

 

The play stopped for a twenty minute break allowing people to get up and walk out into the lobby for a drink or food or just to stretch their legs. “Harry, think we should look for Tonks?” Harry shook his head.

 

“No Honey, do you know how hard it would be now? She is probably hiding somewhere so she isn't sat on by someone else.” They both laughed at the image of what it must be like to sit on someone you can't see.

 

“Please begin to take your seats, the play will resume in five minutes.” They hurried back in to get their seats at the back. Harry thought maybe after what happened that Hermione would be a little calmer in her moves on him. But shortly after the play had started Hermione was back at his throat; hand on his leg right above the knee. Harry tries to stay calm but Hermione was too much.

 

“But why should I? This isn't that bad, and if she gets her emotion out maybe she will be better when we get home.” He thought to himself as he placed his hand on her right knee. As they continued to kiss Hermione's hand slowly started moving up his leg and he followed on hers. When she got halfway up his thigh she started to massage his leg and he did the same. “Please stop this, you can't do this in a theater, you have to stop this.” He thought, trying to get himself to stop, but it felt so good, he didn't want to stop, and why should he? If she liked it then she was happy, and if she was happy he was happy. Hermione had moved up even farther, but Harry kept his hand at the middle of her thigh already having her dress bunching up from him going halfway up her thigh, hoping she wouldn't go farther, and was relieved when her hand moved back down. Harry moved his mouth to her neck, doing what she had done knowing how good it felt.

 

“Harry, more.” She moved her hand back up his leg getting closer to him, massaging his leg and biting his ear lobe. Harry moved his hand up like she asked, like she did to him. Harry thinks about it.

 

“Honey, should we be doing this in public? We know that Tonks or Sirius or someone else is watching us.” Hermione pushes him up against the wall and kisses him to get him to shut up. Harry tried to push her off but realized where his hands were and pulled them back. He mumbles an apology.

 

“Don't stop Harry, go ahead.” She pushed him back into the wall again with another deep kiss moving her hand all the way up his leg. Harry felt it, he couldn't stop himself, it was too much!

 

“STOP!” He kept yelling in his mind but he couldn't, he couldn't….

 

It was incredible when the play ended. Harry had kept himself mostly in check, mostly. Not really. He didn't know what he was doing, just trying to mimic Hermione's movements, but he was proud to know something he had done nearly made Hermione scream. It hurt when she grabbed a hold of him and bit down so hard on his shoulder she nearly drew blood trying to stay quiet. “Maybe watching all of those Muggle videos Dudley has really helped.” Harry blushed in the dark thinking about the videos he had found in Dudley's room. Now he was getting worried about what would happen when they got back home. He crossed his fingers hoping Tonks or anyone hadn't seen that. With his mind cleared he began to wonder about things coming up. “Hermione, we need to go to the train station, and other places soon, how do we get there?” She rubbed his arm resting her head on his shoulder as they left. Hermione was holding his hand talking about how they would get to Diagon Alley when they were far enough away from any Muggles.

 

“I talked to Tonks and she said that Sirius was coming to pick us up tomorrow and take us. I wonder what kind of car he will have, better not be like the one Ron's Dad had.” She laid her head on his shoulder as they slowly walked home trying to keep from tripping wearing high heels. “Well, the play was alright, the parts I saw anyways. Thank you Harry for taking me to it, I had a great time.” She purred the last part out getting on her toes to bite Harry on his ear again. “Did you?” Harry shakes his head.

 

“You know Honey; I could probably walk faster carrying you then you walking with those shoes on.” Hermione stopped.

 

“Alright Harry, if you really think so.” She jumped on his back wrapping her legs around his waist biting into his neck.

 

“I did not mean like that!” But it did feel good he had to admit, she didn't weigh much, and he was going to prove he could go faster then before. He ran for three blocks before he was too tired to carry her. “Ok Honey, you can get down now, I am too tired to carry you anymore.” She got off his back and laughed.

 

“Well, at least you will be walking at the same speed as me Harry.” Laughing some more she started walking as fast as she could in her heels with Harry trying to keep up. “Catch me Harry!” She laughs as Harry easily does.

 

“What's my prize?” Hermione kisses Harry. “I like that prize.” Harry kisses Hermione back. “No more running.”

 

“I can't run in these things.”

 

“Then take them off. I don't need you to be hurting yourself. Although I could keep carrying you I guess.”

 

“Ok Harry.” Hermione takes the high heels off. “Much better.” They hold hands as they walk back to #4 Privet Drive.

 

When they got back to the house Harry started heading to his room when Hermione stopped him. “Come on Harry, my bed's bigger.” He wanted to join her, but what they had done at the theater, the way she made him go insane for her, and he couldn't handle it. “Harry come on. Please?”

 

“Look Honey, I don't think we should sleep together tonight, and I need to change anyways, you do too, right?” She frowned.

 

“Come on Harry, don't you like holding me at night? Your arms around me, I feel so safe, I don't have nightmares when you hold me.” She looked as though she was going to cry, Harry didn't want her too and relented.

 

“Alright, but let me get out of these clothes Honey.” He realized how that sounded but it was too late. Harry went into his room and took as long as possible to change. “What am I going to do? I don't know if I can handle this, she makes me want her too badly. I can't believe what we did with all those people there, and Tonks, I can't believe it. And now what is going to happen? We kept our clothes on there, but still felt so good, and now we will be in bed together like this, think Harry!” He was lost in thought when he felt hands on his back, small hands, Hermione. “Honey, I don't know if we should do this. I don't want you to have nightmares, but what we did at the theater, I couldn't control myself there, I felt like I needed you, not wanted but needed. What if I can't control myself tonight and pressure you into doing something you don't want to do Honey?” She hugged him from behind kissing his bare back.

 

“Don't worry Harry, we need to get up early tomorrow, and I am really tired. Besides Harry, I can control myself when I want to; I just didn't want to at the theater with your fingers and tongue...” She nibbled on his ear lobe laughing as she went back to her room ready for bed. Harry followed her to the guest room glad to be able to rest after the day and night of physical and emotional strain next to his girlfriend, HIS girlfriend. Hermione being his girlfriend still sounded strange to him.