Unbroken

Sunday, Week 2 (3)

Hermione POV

I finally gave in and let Ron make love to me this morning. It was sweet but, again, I don't know why I haven't been able to find as much pleasure in it as I once did. It seems like the novelty has worn off but, deep down, I know that Ron isn't as in tune with my body as I'd like him to be. As my husband, he's supposed to be my other half, my completion. I don't voice these concerns to him and I want to believe that our relationship is still new despite us having dated for nearly two years now.

Anyway, I'm still somewhat glad I gave in because at least he won't pester me about it. Also, since our relationship has been rocky lately, maybe this can be the first step in us healing it. Today is Sunday dinner as well so I'm getting to see Harry again as well.

Ginny had informed me that Draco apprehended a former death eater and prevented a murder before Harry showed up to take the suspect away. I've known about the first murder since it hit the papers so I'm proud of the fact that Draco—and Harry—were able to stop another from happening. I'm also secretly grateful that it wasn't Harry even though it's a bit morbid for me to think that way. It could have been dangerous for Harry especially since he tends to lose his temper when children are in danger.

It's not that I don't care about Draco's life, I do, it's just that Harry's my...best friend. And lover in that vision. I shut that thought away and force myself not to think of that vision that's been plaguing me since I first saw it in my sleep.

"Don't die on me, Harry James. Please come back to me."

I cringe at the way my voice sounds in the vision. It's so real, so...Earthly, that I can't help but feel as if I've lived it before. I've always worried about Harry dying but this...this was a whole different game. Worrying about him as a lover was heart wrenching, soul crushing, even. I can't imagine ever loving Harry apart from the crush I developed on him during our school years. At one point I thought maybe it would blossom into love but it was pretty clear that he was uninterested in me during our school years. Ron was the only one who cared about me in that way, at least so I think.

The vision has opened up a new can of worms, a new reality where Harry does care for me in that way. The question still remains, though. Was it real? Even more importantly, did I want it to be real? But what if it were real? What would It mean for my relationship with Ronald? I married him after all. I kind of feel like I'm emotionally cheating on him by thinking like this but I also am in a conundrum which I desperately need to solve.

Harry POV

I stride up the dirt path leading to The Burrow and take a moment to enjoy the sounds of the birds' and crickets' chirping. Ottery St. Catchpole was a serene place and it never failed to invite peace within me. It was the closest thing I had to a home besides Grimmauld, now more so than ever since Ron and Hermione weren't staying there anymore.

I get to the door of the house and deliver a quick rap onto it. The door opens and, before I know it, a brown haired missile is in my arms. I stumble back from being caught unawares but I recover gracefully and pull her tight against me. A smile crosses my face as I breathe in the scent that could only belong to my Hermione.

"Missed me huh?" I quip at her while she buries her face into my chest. It's still somewhat painful to hug her knowing she'll never be mine but I'm content to take what I can get from her. I remind myself everyday that it could have been a lot worse and that this is no different from what I did during my school years. I've loved her from afar for nearly half of my life, I suppose I can do what I've always done.

"Hush, you. I heard about what happened in Diagon yesterday."

Ah, so that's what she was worried about. Count on my 'Mione to worry about me even when I didn't actually get into a battle. I snort and she smacks my chest with a huff.

"Ouch, Granger. I'm fine, by the way. Draco did the heavy lifting, I was the one who took the bast—suspect in," I say while I correct myself from swearing in front of her.

"Language, Harry," she chastises me anyway and I let out a throaty chuckle. Some things really do never change.

"Let's go in, hmm?" She exits my arms and turns back to the house but not before looking over her shoulder and giving me a small smile while tucking her hair behind her neck.

I nearly fucking faint at the sight of that but I'm certain I look like an idiot with my mouth hanging slack-jawed and my eyes widened like saucers. I mean, I'm certain I have never, and will never, see a sight as beautiful as this one laid before me. God could come to finally take me away from this miserable life he's inflicted on me and I'd still thank him and sing his praises because he saw fit to bless me with this sight.

"Umm...Harry, are you alright?" Shit, I didn't realize she was still looking at me. She looks concerned and my heart continues to flutter against my chest at just how...how bloody adorable she looks. If I spend a minute longer in her company there would be little I could do to stop myself from taking her right in the doorway in front of everyone. Consequences be damned.

"Harry?" She snaps her fingers in front of my face and I catch her wrist gently.

"I'm fine, Hermione. Just a bit lightheaded, I forced myself not to eat because I know Molly's not letting me leave without a boatload of leftovers." I surprise myself with how easily the lie slips out and immediately feel guilty that I've lied to her again. I've been doing that a lot lately.

"You boys and your stomachs." She giggles and I nearly fucking pounce on her like a wild animal.

"Let's go inside, hmm?" I ask in a voice I can barely recognize but that comes out clear anyway. She smiles again at me—that bloody smile—and I let her leave me before I compose myself and step in.

"Hello, Weasleys and Draco," I greet as I stoop down to let my lengthy frame pass under the doorway.

They all greet me in return before I see Neville and Luna amongst the crowd. "Hey Nev, hey Lu," I tell them with a huge grin on my face. They wave and say their own greetings before I start to wonder what they're doing here. I know Luna is Gin's best friend but they never have been part of Sunday dinner. Maybe something is happening.

I see Ron with an arm lazily slung over Hermione and I push down the gut punch feeling that hits me right away. I wish, knowing full well it can't, that this feeling would go away. It's something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. She is looking at me, however, with a small smile and I can't deny myself from shooting one back at her. Ron looks at me next and gives a stiff nod while I return it. Our relationship has been...tenuous to say the least, but I don't bloody care. I'm never going to try to regain his friendship. He knows what he did.

"Oh Harry dear," Molly catches me in a bone crushing hug before I can move away, "I'm always surprised at how much you've grown." I've heard her say it a million times over and it never gets old. I chuckle and wrap her tiny frame into my body. She's the closest thing I have to a mother these days and I'm grateful for her company.