Running Away

Hermione woke the next morning to sunlight flooding Harry’s room. She pulled the covers over her head and tried to fall back to sleep. She inhaled deeply a few times, trying to relax but was assaulted by the smell of Harry’s sheets, and that is when everything came back to her. The truth coming out at dinner, walking arm in arm, the kitchen table, Harry coming out of the shower looking so down right delectable that she had to clutch her legs together, it all filled her head. She huffed in frustration and sat up, the covers falling down the front of her.

She squinted her eyes, as the sunlight burned them. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and sluggishly pulled herself out of bed. She walked to the kitchen to make some tea to help her wake up. She froze in the doorway as she saw the table. Harry had set out some tea canisters, a cup and the kettle, and draped along the front of it was a single white daisy. As she walked closer she realized there was a note next to it all.

Hermione,

Knew you would want some tea so I set it out for you. Also, I think you would enjoy the room at the end of the upstairs hall. I left a little something there for you as well. Since you’ve been living as a muggle, figured it was something you probably missed. If you need anything floo me at the shop.

Harry

Hermione picked up the daisy and held it to her nose. It was the sweetest smelling daisy she had ever smelt and she wondered if it was only this way because Harry had picked it for her? She made her tea and gathered the flower and her cup and traveled upstairs, and the unfamiliar territory that Harry had sent her into. She passed a room full of boxes yet to be unpacked, and another bathroom that looked to be in the process of being remodeled. She stopped at the closed door at the end of the hall and wondered what was in store for her.

Hermione gasped as she opened the door and saw what the room held. Books, from floor to ceiling, nothing but books. It was a library. In the center of the room was a table and a large sitting chair that resembled the one in the old common room at Hogwarts. A single book was laid on the table and as Hermione walked closer and could read the spine, she couldn’t help but smile, ‘Hogwarts: A History.’

This was why she loved Harry, why she had always loved him, he thought of the little things that meant the most. She set her tea cup down and settled into the chair, pulling the large book into her lap. As she opened the spine a tear came to her eye. Inside the cover was scrolled a very short message, one she had completely forgotten. “Harry, please try and read more. Yours, Hermione.’

She had completely forgotten she had given him a copy, more at the time to be nuisance. It was third year, at the start of term and she had read some interesting stuff in it about the founders and certain objects they held dear to them. Little did she know at the time, a few of them would be horocrux, but she mainly wanted him to read.

After spending several hours reading Hermione remembered she had no clothes. She got into the shower and dressed herself in clothes from the night before and headed out to go shopping. She found some nice muggle shops not far from Harry’s house and bought several nice outfits, just enough to get by for a few days. She knew she would have to go back to France eventually, if anything to get her belongings. She decided to stop by and see Harry at the shop and see if she could take him to lunch.

When Hermione walked into the shop she was greeted by a very familiar face. She smiled broadly and enjoyed that she had not been seen first. She set her bags down by the door and walked slowly behind them. She wrapped her hands around their eyes and the figure jumped terribly.

“Guess who?” Hermione said, sounding very much like a little child.

“Ooohhh I hate this game. I don’t know?” Hermione removed her hands and turned them around. Ginny’s face lit up when she saw it was Hermione. She grabbed her into one of the famous Weasley bear hugs and squeeled. Harry came out of the back room as he heard the commotion. He chuckled as he saw Hermione’s red face, from the lack of oxygen.

“Give her some air, Gin.” Harry laughed.

“What are you doing here?” Hermione asked Ginny, still surprised to see her.

“I help Harry out when he needs it. Now I see why he asked me to come in so he could have the afternoon free. It’s so good to see you. You look awesome!” Ginny gushed, running her hand down Hermione’s hair.

“Thanks, Ginny. So do you. I’m so happy to hear about you and Neville and the baby. It seems like you have the perfect life.” Hermione looked over Ginny’s shoulder to Harry, who was staring at her with a devilish smile. Hermione looked back to Ginny and smiled.

“You wouldn’t mind if you two catch up another time, do you Gin? I have plans for her.” Harry walked up and put his arm around Ginny’s shoulder, and squeezed her playfully.

“I bet you do.” Ginny said in her famous mischievous voice. “You two go and have fun. I can hold down the fort.” Ginny winked to Hermione, as she picked up her shopping bags.

“Please allow me.” Harry grabbed Hermione’s bags, and disappeared with a pop. He returned a few seconds later without them. “I dropped them off at the house, so you wouldn’t have to lug them around.” Hermione smiled and waved good-bye to Ginny as Harry ushered her out of the store.

“So what do you have planned for today Mr. Potter?” Hermione asked as she looped her arm in his.

“It’s a surprise. By the way, you look so nice in that new outfit. Not that you didn’t last night, but you know what I mean.” Harry stammered over his last few words as he became nervous. Hermione smiled and looked down at herself. She had changed into one of the new outfits, jeans and a tank top, at one of the stores. She realized after seeing where Harry’s eyes had gone, that a rather good amount of her cleavage was visible in the neck of the tank. “We need to apparate there. I'll just side-along you since you don’t know where we’re going. Ready?” Hermione nodded and closed her eyes and felt the familiar tug in her belly.

When she opened them again she was looking upon Hogwarts. The castle was so big, she couldn’t remember it being that big. The grounds were lovely, with all of the spring flowers still in bloom. She looked down to the lake and noticed a picnic blanket sprawled on the grass by a very familiar tree. It was the tree that they sat by, Harry, Ron and her, many an afternoon while attending school there. Hermione smiled widely and looked to Harry, who was staring at her and smiling in amusement.

“Thank you, Harry. I have missed this place so much. But how did we apparate so close? I thought you couldn’t apparate inside the grounds?” Harry nodded and knew exactly how she felt. This had been his first time here as well, since they left in the middle of their seventh year to fight the war. He was thankful they were offered diplomas after the war, despite not finishing their final year. It would have been too hard to return without Ron.

“I called in a favor to McGonnagal and Dobby. She put me on the list of wizards now allowed to apparate on the grounds. Since Voldemort is gone, it is a little safer now. The picnic was my idea, Dobby set it up for me.” Harry started walking towards the blanket and Hermione followed. Harry helped Hermione down onto the blanket and took a seat next to her. He noticed Hermione staring at the trunk of the tree. He smiled and pulled out his wand, waving it across the tree. Hermione smiled as their names appeared.

They had enchanted the trunk with their names in fifth year one day, so they would always have their mark on the school. She had put a concealment charm on it so no one but them could see it. Staring at their three names brought back so many fond memories. Harry wiped his eyes, and Hermione could tell he had been crying. Not wanting to bring attention to it she turned to the food.

“So what do we have to eat?” She asked rubbing her stomach. Harry turned his attention back to her.

“We have fresh fruit, some scones and Dobby’s famous turkey sandwich’s.” Harry handed Hermione a plate and she dished some food up. She stuffed her mouth with a huge bite of sandwich.

“I hab misseb thethe sanwibes.” She managed to speak amongst the food. Harry laughed and poured her a glass of pumpkin juice.

They enjoyed their picnic, laughing and talking about the stupid things they got themselves into while inside the walls of the school. And when the sun started to set and afternoon became evening, they decided to head back to the house. When they stood to leave Hermione walked to Harry and gave him a big hug.

“This has been one of the best days of my life. Thank you, Harry.” She said, her head resting on his chest. Harry rested his chin on her head, and closed his eyes. He loved the feeling of holding her, it was the one thing he missed the most over the last three years. It was something they had always done, since second year. Whenever either was down, or when they thought they had lost each other, or when they had seen each other for the first time in awhile, they hugged. Maybe a little too often sometimes, as Ron always pointed out, but it was their thing. And Harry enjoyed very much holding her in his arms.

Hermione pulled away a little to look at Harry. She looked deep into his eyes, as if she was trying to read his soul. She smiled and noticed the slowly falling sun glisten in his glasses. Harry lowered his head and rested his forehead on hers.

“You don’t know how happy I am now that you are back. I feel whole again, Hermione. I feel like, I don’t know, this means something. Like we’re meant to be, like nothing can stop this.” Harry inhaled the smell of her hair, and lifted his head to kiss her forehead. He pulled away, looking to Hermione, who looked at him with confused eyes. She felt guilty for not telling him the truth but told herself it was for the best. When Harry started to speak again she raised her finger to his lips to silence him.

“Just enjoy the moment. Just enjoy this, us, being together at sunset.” Hermione stood on her toes and gave him a kiss. “I’ve missed you so much. I haven’t let myself feel it, but now, being here I know it. This is where I belong, with you.” Hermione kissed him again, snaking her arms around his neck. Harry pulled her close and ran his hand into her hair to deepen the kiss.

Hermione opened under him, and ran her tongue along his in the most sensual manner, Harry thought he was done with. They kissed for several minutes, before breaking apart to breathe. Hermione took this opportunity to kiss Harry’s throat and neck. He looked to the sky, and inhaled sharply. He reached down and grabbed Hermione behind the knees and picked her up. He knelt onto the blanket and laid her down. He laid down beside her and held himself up on his elbow. He looked at her and smiled, thinking this was fast become the best day of his life.

He leaned down to kiss her again, and Hermione surprised him by rolling over on top of him. She straddled his hips and kissed him roughly. His hands snaked up the back of her tank top and he kneaded her back with his hands. She ran her hand down his side and across his hardness. Harry’s hips sprung into the air and ground into her core as the sensation was too much. She sat up, reached her hands on either side of tank and started to pull it over her head.

A loud pop startled them both. Hermione pulled her hands away, her tank top only pulled up to her stomach, and they both turned to the noise. There stood the small house elf that made their picnic possible.

“Mr. Harry Potter, Dobby wanted to see if his picnic was satisfactory, sir.” Dobby had his head bowed, and had not seen the compromising situation he had popped in on. When he looked up and saw Hermione sitting on Harry his eyes lit up. “Miss Granger, Dobby is so pleased to see you, miss.” He bowed again, as a house elf would and looked again to her and smiled.

“The picnic was great, Dobby, thank you. And please, how many times do I have to tell you, just call me Harry.” Hermione climbed off of Harry’s lap and stood next to him, pulling her tank back down.

“Yes, the food was very delicious, Dobby. Thank you so much.” Hermione smiled as Harry hopped up from the blanket. He took Hermione’s hand and squeezed it in apology for their interruption.

“We must be going Dobby, want to get home before the sun goes down. Thanks again.” Harry leant down and shook his tiny hand and smiled to him. Dobby lit up and smiled back.

“Okay, Harry Potter sir. Please let Dobby know if there is anything else he may do for him, and Miss Granger, sir.” Harry smiled to Hermione and they turned to leave. Harry hugged her close to him and gave her a small kiss before nodding. She prepared herself and felt the familiar tug in her belly.

They appeared in Harry’s backyard, and he walked to the back door and opened it. Hermione followed him in and sat on the couch.

“I’m sorry again. I need to remember we’re taking things slow. But it would help if you didn’t flash those around.” Harry chuckled as he pointed to Hermione’s chest. She frowned at him but pulled her tank top down a little, making them more exposed.

“You should know self control, and besides, once again, I was the one who kissed you.” Hermione smiled her mischievous smile to him and sat with her chest out.

“Tease.” Harry said as he walked away.

The rest of the night went without much excitement. They watched a movie on the tellie and had some tea and went to bed in the same manner as the night before. Harry had told Hermione he was taking the following day off to spend with her and Hermione had asked if they could go to London and visit a few places she had missed. He had promised her anything she wanted. Hermione and Harry had gone to bed with smiles on their faces, and fell asleep fast.