No Good

Chapter 4: A Promise

The newly formed couple found that nothing had changed when they confessed their feelings to each other. Aside from being able to kiss and cuddle more intimately, the relative closeness between them hadn't changed a bit. When both of them noticed this, they laughed their hearts out. It seemed that the only thing missing from their relationship was kissing and cuddling. The trust, admiration, and love for each other had long bloomed between them, and now it was natural for them to be like this.

Harry enjoyed the moments of newfound intimacy with Hermione more than anything else. The moments when they kissed or simply held each other were precious to him, it felt like heaven. He knew what it was like to be loved by Hermione Granger, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Ron had taken the relationship between his friends in good stride, and even remarked that "it was about bloody time." Apparently everyone in the school thought that they should be together, a fact that surprised the couple.

Right now, the pair were in their 'signature' position as Ron liked to call it, Hermione was reading a book as Harry laid on her lap while she absentmindedly stroked his hair. The rest of the common room milled about, but none dared to threaten the peacefulness of the couple. 'Harry and Hermione time', as they liked to call it, meant that Harry and Hermione were not to be bothered whatsoever once they settled on their couch.

"Love?" Harry called.

"Mm?" Hermione responded, still focused on her book.

"When did you know that you loved me?"

Hermione immediately looked down from her book to her boyfriend and beamed at him. His almost shy and bashful tone in his question was beyond adorable, and she couldn't wait to answer him.

"I knew it in third year, Harry. The ride on Buckbeak to be exact. But if I'm being honest, I think I've fancied you since first year. After all, what girl wouldn't fancy a boy who jumped on a troll's back to save her?"Hermione answered in a soft, almost breathless tone.

"In the graveyard last year, I thought I was going to die, you know? When him and I ended up dueling, I was this close to losing and watching him win. At that moment, I thought of a lot of things, but most of them came back to you for some reason. I didn't know what it meant, but now I do. In second year, when you were petrified, I felt miserable the entire year and I didn't know why. It's like a part of me needs you, love. I can't explain it, I didn't even know what love is until you showed me. But I promise you, I want to spend the rest of my life making sure I love you just as much as you love me."

As soon as Harry finished his confession, he felt Hermione's lips on his. He wasn't expecting it, but it was a welcome surprise as he smiled against her lips.

Hermione felt herself tear up at Harry's heartfelt confession, and wanted to kiss him more than anything at that moment. Here was this boy, who knew nothing of what it was like to love and be loved, telling her that he wanted to spend the rest of his life loving her. She liked to think that he earned this, and that he deserved to be loved just as much as she did.

"Rest of your life?" Hermione cheekily whispered when the kiss finally broke.

Harry's blush came in full force at Hermione's question, but he managed to regain himself to regard her with utmost honesty. "I want to spend however long I have left with you," he calmly said.

"I don't know Mister Potter, a commitment like that is pretty serious. I don't even have a wedding ring on my finger yet," Hermione playfully said whilst turning her nose up to look faux haughty.

"Say the word, and I'll find one."

Hermione realized that Harry was dead serious, and could only watch him in shock. He wanted to marry her, and she was so tempted to say yes. The rational part of her mind, however, said that this was happening much too soon. While she knew that she wanted the rest of her life to be spent with Harry, marrying him at sixteen was just downright impossible. But Merlin, she was tempted to take up his proposal.

"I would love that, Harry. I love you, but we can't marry right now. I'd much prefer to get married when we're older, and not in school," Hermione gently said, hoping not to crush Harry's spirit.

Harry didn't feel dejected at all, instead, he felt even more motivated. "Then at least let me give you another ring, a promise ring. A promise that you and I will be together once all of this ends."

Harry was full of surprises today, Hermione thought wryly. In a way, it warmed her heart that he was dead set on being with her forever. She knew better than to try and dissuade a determined Harry Potter, but she also knew that she didn't really want to.

"I'll take you up on that offer, Mister Potter."

Harry's grin rose quickly on his face before once again leaning in to kiss his girlfriend. She was it for him, he knew. The boy knew he couldn't imagine himself with anybody else but her. He was only fifteen, and Hermione was his first and only girlfriend, but Harry only wanted her. Somehow, he knew that that would never change. He was meant to be with her, and he could only hope that he'd be the man she was meant to be with. And if he wasn't, then he'd spend the rest of his life working toward it.