My Heart Remembers Differently

BUT WE LOVE EACH OTHER

Harry and I were reluctant to leave the clock tower.  He held me for what seemed like hours on the hard, cold, stone floor.  I was exhausted, yet felt like I had been given back the most precious thing I didn't know I had lost. 

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger."  McGonagall's quiet voice broke our private sanctuary.  We looked up and she was trying to give us her famous glare of disapproval, but I noticed the twinkle in her eyes.  "I hope that tomorrow the two of you can attend classes?"  She asked as Harry stood and helped me to my feet.

"I believe so."  I said with a smile and then I frowned.  "Professor, you knew how to reverse the Obliviate this whole time..."  I began.  McGonagall held her hand up to stop my words.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Ms. Granger.  That is a dangerous charm that a witch or wizard of your age should never know how to use."  She reminded me with a stern glare.  Right.  Secrecy.  "If I had known how to reverse a non-reversible spell as that is, I would have had to wait to the injuries to someone's body and brain could successfully accept the forgotten memories.  But, as every witch and wizard, especially one as bright as you, Ms. Granger, knows, that particular charm has no reversal so it is better to stay away from using it."  She said.  I nodded with understanding.

"Thank you."  I said quietly.  Her mouth softened into a small smile that quickly turned into a frown when she noticed Harry's arm firmly around me.

"We are going to have more drama here in the form of a screeching Weasley girl, aren't we?"  She asked with a resigned sigh.  "Oh, well."  She shook her head and started down the stairs.

"She has a point, Harry."  I said looking up at him.  "You and Ginny have been together--"

"We are not dating, Hermione.  I was going to try to stay away from her this year hoping she would move on, but I listened to Ron who said that it would be fine."  Harry explained.  "I have been waiting for you to heal, Hermione.  I love you, remember?"  He asked.  My heart seemed to take a deep cleansing breath inside of my chest and sigh.

"I do remember. " I whispered with a smile.  He didn't kiss me, but his eyes let me know that he really wanted to be alone with me.  Perhaps on a deserted beach.

"I am reluctant to let you go now that I have you back."  He said softly. 

"I don't want you to let me go, Harry.  I never want to have to pretend we aren't in love and that we want a future together."  I stopped and looked up at him with worried eyes as a sudden anxiety almost choked the happiness I was feeling.  "We still do want to be together?"  I whispered a little uncertainly.  How would I react if he said no?

"Forever, Hermione."  Harry pulled me against him and stole my breath as he kissed me with such longing that I was desperate to get closer to him. 

"Shocking!"  A disembodied voice said bringing us back to her our senses.  We pulled back and turned to look at Fred who was grinning.  "I always had a feeling about the two of you.  You know, I have never understood how such a brilliant witch and the fourth year wizard who won the TriWizard tournament could not see how they felt about each other."  Fred said shaking his head.

"Wait, you can see him?"  I asked Harry.

"Oh, yes.  He is in the Gryffindor Tower every night talking to me and telling me what he needs me to relay to George when I think he can handle talking about Fred."  Harry said.  "I suppose he has been bothering you, too?"  

"Hey!"  Fred said putting his hands on his hips.

"No, not in my dorm."  I turned and glared at the ghost of Fred Weasley.  "You haven't been sneaking into my dorm have you?"  I demanded.  Fred rolled his eyes.

"I do not sneak.  I am a ghost, Hermione.  I can appear wherever I want.  Except the Head's Dorm.  The old coot in the photo won't let me pass."  Fred said with disgust in his voice.  For once I was thankful for the grumpy old professor protecting my dorm.  "I should probably tell you two that Quidditch practice is over and my siblings are on their way back to the dorm.  They have been wondering where the two of you have been all day.  Perhaps you should get together a game plan?"  Fred asked.

I looked up at Harry who was frowning.  What was the answer?  Neither of us wanted to pretend that our love for each other didn't exist, but the announcement that we were together would hurt Ginny and probably Ron's pride. 

"We don't have to figure this out tonight.  It has been a long day and you need to rest.  You have been through a lot today, Hermione.   Are you going into Hogmeade Saturday?"  Harry asked.  I shrugged.

"I haven't given it much thought."  I said honestly.  Harry pressed his mouth to mine again for a quick kiss. 

"Still here."  Fred reminded us.

"Technically you are not here, Fred."  Harry reminded him.  Fred clutched his chest as if Harry had wounded him and then grinned.  "Let's meet at the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer.  We can talk then and maybe slip away for some alone time."  Harry suggested.  I smiled.

"I think I can do that."  I said.

"You two do know that there is going to be Weasley drama when you two go public, right?"  Fred asked with his arms folded over his nonexistent chest.  Harry looks at me and I look up at him before we answer the ghost in front of us.

"We love each other."  We said in unison. 

"Ugh, that was almost disgustingly sweet."  Fred said with a wrinkled nose.  "Don't say I didn't warn you."  Fred said and saluted us before disappearing.

"Harry--"  I began and he laid a gentle finger over my lips to stop my words.

"We will discuss this on Saturday.  You need to eat something and get some rest.  I will make sure you get something from the kitchen.  I love you, Hermione Granger.  Now, go to your room."  He instructed.  I smiled against him finger and he replaces it with a soft kiss. 

Reluctantly, I walk away...for the night.