Clarity

A/N: I hope all of you are enjoying it. I really enjoy reading you’re reviews…I have just been overwhelmed with Uni, so I don’t have much time to do anything. You should feel really luck I post ;-) The story is already written, so it makes it easy.
Ginnylovesharry07: Thanks for all your reviews, they are great! Originally I thought I was going to slow with them too, but after I was done I was happy with the end result. It all ties in – I wanted it to be this way for a reason, as you’ll read this chapter. Also – I know Harry is so pigheaded about it. I wanted that to. Plus..In my limited experience with men, I find most are! ;-)

I’m sorry for all the confusion when I started to post. Hopefully I won’t be so ditzy anymore. =)

Enjoy, and don’t hesitate to tell me what you think. Also..i started another story, It’s a Draco/Hermione ship (I know don’t kill me) but if you’re interested… it’s called “I Am a New Day Rising.”

The Day Before it all Began

Harry woke up early the next morning, dreading the end of the day would come too soon. Sleeping soundly next to him, Hermione was all he could think of. She looked beautiful in the morning sunlight. The light blonde streaks in her mass of curly brown hair shone through, and her creamy skin seemed to glow. She was lying on her stomach, like always, with her face turned toward him. I can’t believe I’m leaving her. Why does my life have to be so fucked up! All I want is to hold her forever, until we are grey and old. Voldemort fucks everything up. She sighed in her sleep, and his thoughts turned to the future. If by some miracle I get out of this fight alive, and can come home to Hermione, I’m never going to leave her again. I’m going to stay by her side and bring her with me when I leave on trips. She’s going to be my heart and soul. He moved some hair away from her face and placed it behind her ear. Slowly and gently he ran his fingers down her cheek; he didn’t want to forget the silkiness of her skin. When he reached her shoulder, she stirred and opened her eyes.

She smiled up at him and then hid her face in embarrassment in her pillow. Harry chuckled and pulled her into him, “You are so beautiful when you sleep, Mione.” She grunted in response and nuzzled her face into his chest, breathing him in. She didn’t want to forget his smell. From the warmth of each other’s bodies and their steady heartbeat, they were soon lulled back to sleep wrapped up in the other’s arms.

They woke up several hours later. Hermione looked at the alarm clock in her room and it read: 10:33. She groaned out of frustration. They were meeting Ron and Luna in Diagon Alley in an hour. She looked down at Harry’s sleeping form and smiled to herself. She was in love with him, and she had to wake him. She started to kiss his bare arms and shoulders. He rolled over in his sleep and she kissed his entire chest and started to move down his abs. When she got to the drawstring of his pants, Harry grabbed her shoulders and muttered, “You better stop if you want to get to lunch on time.” She looked up at him with a smirk and noticed his eyes weren’t even open.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what, Mione?”

“Wake up with out opening your eyes. I can never do that.”

“I didn’t even know there was another way to wake up.” Hermione giggled and rested her head on his abdomen. “We really need to get up and showered. Luna hates it when people are late.” Harry said, making no movement to get out of bed.

“Yea.” Hermione agreed, not moving either. She stayed where she was for another 5 or so minutes, and then reluctantly crawled out of bed. She told Harry she was going to get into the shower, and he could have it after. Another ten minutes of sleep sounds good to me, Harry thought to himself.

Ten minutes later, Hermione was standing in the doorway looking at his sleeping form again. She shook her head and went to go wake up him. Half way over to the bed, however, she got an evil idea. She stood over him, secured the towel around her chest, and started to squeeze the excess water out of her hair. She missed his face at first, and got his neck, but with a little adjustment she dripped water all over his face, causing him to sit up with a start. She smiled smugly and stated, “That’ll teach you to fall back asleep.”

She was going to turn and leave when Harry grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. She screamed in surprise and started to laugh hysterically as he attacked her ticklish sides. Soon Harry realized that she was only in a towel as it had started to fall off and her breasts were slightly exposed. He stopped what he was doing. With a serious, wanton expression, he traced the top of her towel with his fingertips. Her eyes fluttered shut with desire as his lips followed his fingers. They had never been this close to naked before, and Harry decided he really enjoyed it.

He was just about to move the towel down a little further when Hermione let out a sigh and said, “Damn you, Harry. We really can’t do this now.” It was the first time all week Harry had shown his want for her. The rest of the week they had been out in town or exhausted from moving boxes and furniture all day. He silently cursed himself for his stupidity. Yes, it was great that he spent the whole week with Hermione, loving her without sex. But all he wanted right now was to taste her sweet skin and finally show her how much he loved her.

“Fuck.” He said, pulling up her towel and swinging her legs off of him. “I guess I’ll go take a cold shower then.” He huffed and walked out of the bedroom.

Hermione stayed in the same spot until she heard the shower turn on. Silently cursing herself for saying anything, she got up and quickly got ready. She skipped downstairs and made some coffee. They’d be eating lunch in an hour or so, so she didn’t make breakfast.

She drank her coffee leaning over the counter and staring out the window. She wasn’t looking at anything in particular, just thinking. He’s leaving tomorrow morning. I don’t think I can handle a goodbye. Just as she thought she was going to start crying, Harry’s arms wrapped around her and he kissed her neck. “I made you a coffee.” She said to Harry, leaning back into his hug.

He smiled into her neck and moved her cup to his mouth, and drank out of it. “I like yours better.” Then he began to nip at her neck with his teeth. “We better go before I decide it’s better to blow off Ron and Luna altogether.”

Hermione giggled, placed the coffee cup on the counter, and turned around in his arms. “Then you better get us out of here.” And with that Harry apparated them to Diagon Alley.

The couple found Ron and Luna standing outside the new sandwich shop. After a round of hugs and handshakes, the four went inside to find a table.

“So you to finally plucked up the courage to act on what everyone else saw?” Luna smiled at them. “It’s about bloody time!!”

“Luna!” Hermione looked shocked at her language but laughed with her and shrugged in response.

“No in all seriousness,” Ron said putting down his menu, “It’s great.” He looked from Harry to Hermione and gave them a small smile. It meant a lot to Harry that Ron said that. Ron had many spouts jealousy over Harry and everything with Ginny made it a little more awkward.

The four friends talked feverishly for the next hour or so; completely ignoring the fact that Harry was due to leave for his journey the next morning. By this time they had ordered drinks, meals, and dessert but continued to sit in the pleasant restaurant. The waitress kept coming over to the table and asking if they needed anything else, clearly annoyed that they were taking up one of her tables for that long.

The last time she came over, visibly frustrated with the two couples, Hermione smiled up at her. “You know, I think my friend and I are going to leave, but why don’t you get these boys another drink.” She sniggered at the waitress dislike to get another free refill.

Harry smirked and turned to his girlfriend, “Where do you think you two are going?”

“Luna mentioned some new releases at Flourish and Blotts. We were going to run down there and check them out.”

“Harry shook his head and smiled, “You never stop do you?” Hermione shook her head and got up to leave, but Harry grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap. He planted a kiss on her right then and there, “Don’t take to long, Miss Granger. Or I might do something silly - like miss you.” He whispered so only she could hear.

Hermione put her forehead to his and kissed his nose, “I wouldn’t dream of it, love.” Harry released her arm and the two girls left giggling.

“Well, well,” Ron said leaning back in his chair, grinning at Harry, “don’t you look happy.”

Harry chuckled. “I am.”

“Well thank Merlin for that, Harry. It’s about time you did something for you.”

“Ginny still upset, Ron?” Harry asked, getting serious.

“Yea. But as far as I can tell she’s more distraught over not having sex the past week.” He shuddered.

“I should have expected that much.” Harry shook his head out of remembrance of their relationship. “I’m not going to lie, the prophecy is weighing heavily on my mind lately. If Ginny is pregnant, I have to come back and take care of her. If she isn’t, I’m not coming back at all.”

Ron slammed his fist on the table. “Shut up!” Harry looked up at him in surprise. “You are coming back. Regardless of some bloody prophecy. Your destiny is to kill Voldemort, it doesn’t matter how it’s done. Just fuckin’ do it and come home, to your family – me and Hermione.” Harry nodded. Ron was right; he needed to stay positive if this was going to work. After a long pause and several sips of their drinks later, Ron continued, “On a lighter note – how was dinner with the Grangers last night?”

Harry looked up and smiled. “Actually, it went really smoothly. There was a small hiccup when Mr. Granger realized I was going in search of for the leader of the Dark Arts. But after we talked, without Hermione there, he gave me his blessing.”

“Oh good. So he’s ok with you and Hermione together then?”

Harry nodded. “That and, he said I can marry her - when I get back.”

Ron’s eyes popped out. “Did you even ask him that?”

“No. I didn’t at all. It was completely out of the blue. Not that I mind, it saves me a trip later on in life.”

“Wow. That’s pretty intense.” Harry nodded in agreement. “I mean. You only have been together for a week.”

“Yea. But we’ve been in love all year.”

Ron grinned. “I don’t know how you were able to stay faithful with Ginny, mate. Especially when Hermione changed her wardrobe.”

Harry groaned at the memory, “Yea. Well I reckon the prophecy helped with that one a lot.” Ron cocked his head in question at Harry. “Yea. Sorry, mate. Your sister and I shagged like bunnies for the last few months of school. It was a great release.” Ron gave him a look of disgust and took a sip of cola to try and keep his stomach settled. Harry looked up from his drink in realization, and said to Ron, “You know. I don’t even want to know about the pregnancy, when I’m gone.”

“But Harry-” Ron tried to interrupt.

“No, no. I’m serious. I don’t know want to know.” Ron’s eyes softened at Harry’s persistence. “Like you said, Ron, it could be complete bullocks. I don’t want to go on through the battle thinking I’m going to lose, or it’ll be my defeat straight away. Just tell Ginny, I don’t want to know.” Ron nodded, staying quiet. Then Harry asked, “How’s the Auror training going, Ron?”

Ron brightened. “Very well actually!! I finish next week and start in the field. I’m pretty excited.”

Harry smiled at him. “I don’t know whether this is inappropriate, but I was hoping – when I’m out there – that if I got a message to you for help, with intel –”

“Of course.” Ron said seriously looking into his eyes. “Not even a question that needed to be asked, mate.” Harry thanked him with a nod just as the girls returned with bags in their hands.

Instantly trying to act cheery, Harry tried to peek into Hermione’s bag to see what she bought, “Lingerie?”

Hermione blushed profusely and replied, “I went to the book store, Harry.”

The rest of the luncheon was very uneventful. The girls poured over their new books and swapped to pour over the others. Harry and Ron just sat back and watched their girlfriends be happy and giddy. Merlin knows when the next time I’ll be able to see her smile. Harry frowned slightly at the thought, which was unfortunately caught by Hermione. She placed a hand on his knee and gave him a small smile. He returned it and announced, “I think we better be heading out guys. I still need to put some wards up on Hermione’s house.”

Ron looked up at him and nodded, “We all knew this was going to come eventually.” After Harry and Ron paid the bill they met sad girls outside the deli. Ron took Luna in his arms and whispered, “He’s going to be ok, love.” He kissed her forehead and turned to Hermione. “I’m just an owl away, Hermione. I’ll be around for anything you need while this bloke,” he jabbed a thumb at Harry over his shoulder, “is out saving the world.” He rubbed her arms and pulled her into a hug. “Anything at all.” Hermione nodded into his chest, refusing to let the tears fall.

Ron let go of Hermione and she fell helplessly into Luna’s arms right after. “He’s right, hun. We are here for you. No matter what. I’ll come by your place tomorrow for dinner, yea?” Hermione nodded in response and smiled at her friend. “I’ll even bring Lavender.”

Ron was looking at Harry trying to find the words to say. When none came, the two embraced each other in a brotherly fashion. Ron patted Harry on the back roughly and coughed out, “Good luck, mate. I’ll see you at his funeral?”

Choking on his words, Harry answered, “Yea. Definitely, mate. I’ll be in contact. Take care of her.” His eyes shifted to Hermione who was trying to be strong watching the interaction.

“I wouldn’t have done anything less, Harry.” When the two released from the hug, both had tears in their eyes. They awkwardly tried to rub them away without seeming girly. Harry gave Luna a long hug and tried to sooth her sobs ensuring her he’d be ok and in contact with Ron. After it was clear she wasn’t going to stop crying, Ron took her from Harry, nodded one last time and apparated them back to their flat.

Harry looked defeated. “Mione, apparate us back home.” He said and pulled her close to him. She nodded silently and when he opened his eyes, he was standing in the living room. They stood holding each other for a while, until Harry decided he needed to finish putting up the protective wards.

“Harry, you know you don’t need to do that. I can take care of myself, and I’ll have Ron.” Hermione protested.

“No, Mione. No arguments. Who knows what’s going to happen, and I don’t want them coming after you too. And Ron isn’t going to be here all the time.” Without waiting for a response he went outside the house to perform the wards. He made sure to allow the Ron and Luna the ability to apparate into the house, but no one else.

Meanwhile, Hermione sat on the couch trying to read her book. Her mind kept slipping back to reality, regardless of how hard she tried to grip into the mystery of Jessica McDuff and her sister’s unsolved murder. Finally she slammed the book down and made her way up to the bedroom. She had no idea how long it would take Harry to finish, but she would start to pack his things for him at least. She found a large duffle bag in the back of her closet and brought it out. She opened it and placed his ratty old shirts and jumpers in the bottom. Well I don’t think he should bring his nice things on such a violent trip. She hummed sadly as she piled in his jeans and an extra jacket, incase he was gone a long time. She silently hoped he wouldn’t need it.

When Harry came up to the room, he found Hermione placing the last bit of items into the bag. Hermione looked up and smiled sadly, “Just thought I’d help and pack your bag.” She held up the books she was about to place into the bag, “In case you need to do some research.”

Harry smiled and thanked her. Then walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m going to be fine. You will be fine too.” Hermione nodded trying to be strong for him. But finally, the tears came. And they came in buckets. She cried on his shoulder and wiped her nose on his t-shirt endlessly. They sat there for over an hour waiting for her to calm down. All Harry could do was let her cry and rub her back. Words were not necessary for the two, Harry knew exactly what Hermione felt and was glad she didn’t know about the second prophecy. When she had calmed down and ceased sobbing, Harry moved the damp hair from her face trying to dry her cheeks, “Why don’t you take a bath, Mione? It may relax you.”

Hermione nodded. Her muscles ached from crying so long, and her nose was stuffed as well. She needed to relax. He walked her to the bathroom and started the tub. “I’ll be back once you’re in.” he said and kissed her temple. When she was undressing and beginning to soak into the steaming water, Harry went down to the kitchen to make her a snack. He put together some cheese and crackers and grapes. He left one plate downstairs for himself and brought the other upstairs for Hermione. He knocked softly, “Mione, are you in the tub?”

“Yes, Harry.”

He walked in and placed the snack next to the tub for her. She smiled a thank you and picked a piece of cheese off of the plate. “I love you, Mione.” He whispered as he kissed her forehead. It took everything he had to leave the bathroom. All he wanted to do was to strip down to nothing and make love with her in the hot water. He tried to shake the thought out of his head, knowing she needed to calm herself down. He looked back at her, and wordlessly ignited all the candles around the tub. She let out a small gasp and then sank a little more deeply into the tub. “I love you too, Harry.” She whispered.

He smiled at her glowing face in the candlelight and closed the door. He walked down the stairs and sat down in the living room. He closed his eyes, sank his head to his chest, and cried. He knew he couldn’t cry in front of Hermione, because it would only scare her even more. He knew he couldn’t cry in front of Ron, because he would call it defeat. So he cried to himself. His fears flashed in front of his eyes; he had to face them alone. He could not bourdon his friends with this; he could not scare them any more than they already were. He cried for their safety, not his own. He cried in the fear of letting the world down, his friends down – letting Hermione down was too much to handle. For the first time he was able to let out his emotion. He knew he had to do it, or he may hurt someone again. He couldn’t hurt her before he left her. After a long time, when the tears stopped coming and they were replaced with only sobs, he walked to the kitchen and made himself a cup of tea. As the water boiled, he splashed water on to his face to even out the splotches. He had never cried with such intensity before and he wasn’t sure the cold water was going to help. He sat and drank his tea for another ten minutes before going to check on Hermione.

Apparently the candles had been charmed to never melt the wax, because they were just as he had left them an hour ago. Hermione’s hair was sprawled out behind her and the bubbles were almost gone from the water. Harry sucked in his breath at the broken sight of her naked form. Removing a towel from the closet, he held it up, “Hermione if you don’t get out soon you’re going to turn into a mermaid.”

Hermione giggled. Harry closed his eyes as she stood up in the water and wrapped the towel around herself. “Well at least I’d be a pretty one.”

Harry smiled in agreement. His smile faltered as he suddenly realized, she was once again standing in front of him in only a towel. She slowly stepped out of the water, but stayed on the step. Harry had not backed away, so she could go no further. They stood face to face now, and Harry captured her lips with his, bring his hands up to her cheeks. She returned her kiss, but kept a hold on her towel. As he kissed her, his hands traveled down her neck and over her shoulders. She moaned into his mouth at his touch.

Without breaking the kiss, Harry picked her up: one arm under her knees and the other wrapped securely around her shoulder. She squealed from the sudden change but never stopped kissing him. She let her hands move to his face and one tangled into his hair. He laid her down onto their bed and finally broke the kiss. They were both gasping for air, staring into the other’s eyes. Harry was standing over her and after putting one arm on either side of her body; he started to kiss her neck. She moaned quietly into his ear. He had to taste her, had to be inside her. He could not wait any longer.

His kisses dipped lower, covering her shoulders. And as her breathing became more staggered, he slowly pulled down the towel, kissing the skin that appeared from underneath it. When her hardened nipples were revealed, he captured one in his mouth. Hermione sucked in a deep breath and arched her back at the feeling. Thoughts of his impending journey, her job, and their separation left her mind. All she could think about was how much she loved him. All he could think about was showing her how much he loved her. Harry’s hand started to knead the breast his mouth was not tending too, only causing Hermione to moan a little louder. Harry switched sides, and Hermione tightened her grip on his hair. He moaned into her breast. He was already hard and the confine of his jeans was allowing little comfort.

He slowly moved the towel further down her body. Instead of kissing the skin he took in her beauty. She lay sprawled out on the bed with her eyes shut tightly from the pleasure. As the towel fell back to reveal all of her, Harry tried everything possible not to strip down and take her right then and there. He moaned at the sight of her. He knelt down and kissed and licked the inside of her thighs, slowly tracing her sensitive lips with his finger. She was ready for him, but he wanted to memorize every inch of her. He slipped one finger inside her warm sex and started to explore, his tongue traveling closer and closer to her center. Hermione arched her back at the feeling and let out a beautiful moan. Harry smiled at the sight of her. Just as Harry turned away, Hermione placed a hand over her lower abdomen and muttered a charm. Her hand glowed and warmth cascaded over her body.

Harry finally flicked his tongue against her small button. Her hips bucked in appreciation. He started a rhythm, adding another finger and moving it at the same pace as his tongue. It didn’t take long for Hermione, already extremely turned on, to reach her peak. Harry felt her muscles clamp against his fingers and heard her moan loudly calling his name, but he didn’t slow his pace. Her hands were grasping the bed sheets and her hips were pushed up trying to take more of his fingers. He continued his loving strokes until she was completely over her orgasm.

Slowly he kissed his way back up her body and smiled right before he kissed her lips. She thrust her tongue into his mouth causing Harry to moan, as she tasted herself. After breaking the kiss Hermione smirked, “You are completely over dressed for this occasion, Mr. Potter.”

Harry smiled down at her. “What do you plan on doing about it?”

“I’ll fix you up - don’t worry.” She laughed and pushed him back into a standing position. Slowly she ran her hands under his t-shirt, standing as her hands got higher. She pulled his shirt over his head and started to kiss her way back down his chest. Harry’s head fell back with a small moan as her soft lips traveled effortlessly over his tanned skin. She reached his jeans and slowly starting to unbutton them as she looked up at him. He looked down at her, smiling and playing with her hair. Hermione turned back to his jeans and pushed them down over his butt. As she pushed the jeans down further, silently asking him to step out of them, she kissed down the shaft of his erection through his boxer briefs. He chuckled at her reaction to his manhood and she smiled up at him. Running her hands up the back of his thighs and over his butt, only caused his need to grow. She traced her fingers around the elastic band of his boxers and he whispered, “Don’t tease me, Mione.” She laughed a sexy laugh and began to pull his boxers off of him. When his erection had fully emerged from his shorts, she let them drop down to the floor. He kicked them away, more aware of the fact that her small hands were now closing around his shaft and slowly massaging him. He looked down at her as she took the head into her mouth. He hissed at the wetness of her tongue running down the underside of him.

“Hermione.” He said, gently pulling her away from him. “If you continue to do that, we won’t be doing anything else.” Hermione looked up at him and nodded, smiling back at him.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and slowly pulled the two of them back on to the bed. When they were lying down completely, she whispered, “Then make love to me.” Harry looked her in the eye, and thought he’d never heard anything as sexy in his life. He took her lips into a blistering, passionate kiss as she moved her legs apart, bending them at the knees. Still kissing her he positioned himself at her opening and slowly pushed into her warm, tight sex. He groaned, breaking the kiss to moan, “Oh Merlin you’re perfect.” He drove himself as deep into her as possible, causing her to arch her back. He slid one arm around her, pulling her close to his body. Without moving away from each other, he slid on to his knees, causing Hermione to straddle his lap. She nuzzled her face into his neck, kissing and licking the glistening sweat off his skin. Using the arm that was wrapped around her body, he guided her as they made love. She rocked back and forth on top of him, and as the pleasure built up she threw her head back and let out a deep moan. With his free hand Harry traced the line from her neck, down between her breasts, now with a shine from sweat, and continuing his light touch down her flat stomach. At the end of his pursuit, he realized he wasn’t going to be able to hold it much longer. He nuzzled his thumb against her sensitive button and matched their rhythm. Hermione moaned again, snuggling her head back into his neck.

“Harry. I’m so close.”

“Me too, love. Come for me.”

That was really all she needed. Between his deep, husky voice telling her to come and the rhythm of his penis and thumb, she was pushed over the edge. She clung to his sweaty form as she started to climax, calling out his name, begging him not to stop. When he felt her muscles clamp around his member, he too was pushed over the edge, gasping for air and thrusting into her harder. Together they climaxed and fell backward onto the bed: Harry on top of Hermione. Their bodies heaved trying to find the breath they had lost as they came.

Harry pushed onto his elbows and whispered how much he loved her, planting small, delicate kisses all over her face. She giggled at the feeling. She let out a tremendous moan and her body shook all over from a chill. Harry raised an eyebrow at her. She sighed and replied, “I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was mind blowing.”

After giving her a loving kiss, he answered, “I haven’t either, Mione. It was…well…perfect. Amazingly perfect.” They had made love, and Harry was convinced he’d never be able to have sex again if it didn’t feel like that. He was still on cloud nine. “Am I crushing you?” He whispered into her ear, kissing it softly.

“No. Please don’t move. I want to keep you as close as possible.” Hermione whispered back. Harry nodded and tightened his grip around her waist. Nothing can be more amazing than this moment. I never want to forget this. Hermione said to herself. That was the last thing she thought before she, and Harry, fell into a deep, relaxing sleep. It was still early evening, but Harry would be leaving in less than 12 hours at the first light of day.