Mine Forever ( a Harmione fanfic )

Chapter 01

Harry sat on the edge of his bed at Grimmauld Place where Hermione and the Weasleys were supposed to visit him for his 18th Birthday.

Harry had no intention of going down before the guests come. He was in a deep reminiscence of how wonderful this day would be if his parents, Sirius, Hedwig, Remus and Tonks, Fred, and all his loved ones who had left this world were there. Unconsciously, his hand reached for the album Hagrid had gifted him in his 1st year at Hogwarts. Reaching for it and turning through its pages has been a habit for him by now whenever he's feeling low or wants to remind himself of happier days. It was now filled with not only those of his parents but also of his friends and loved ones. One of Teddy smiling at the camera while his hair turns a little black in the fringe is the latest addition.

His thoughts were disturbed by Kreacher who appeared with a 'POP'. "HAPPY BORN DAY MASTER! Master Harry, you need to get down. Miss Granger will be here any minute." He said bowing at Harry. Kreacher has been greeting Harry with 'Happy Born Day Master' since the crack of dawn much to his dismay. " I will Kreacher, I will. but, let me have some privacy before I do." Harry replied rather annoyed. Leaving Harry to himself, Kreacher disappeared with a bow. Looking at the album, a sigh escaped Harry's lips.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps hurrying up. Quickly, he tried to put the book away but was stopped with a crashing hug by Hermione who came pouncing at him. "Oh, Harry!" was only what she could mutter while wiping a tear that he didn't know was falling down his cheek, with her thumb gently caressing his cheeks. "War changed a lot Harry... but... we need to move on. Si... Sirius wouldn't have wanted you to spend the rest of your life in grief. " Tears filled her eyes as she hugged him again. "Thanks 'Mione," Harry mumbled kissing her forehead. This has been a habit of Harry and Hermione to hug each other and give each other comfort when needed. Neither had to voice their feelings. One would for sure understand what the other is feeling at the moment. It has also been a habit of Harry and Hermione to kiss each other on the forehead to comfort one another. Hermione has literally been his pillow over the past months while Ron was also lost in his own grieving over Fred.

Holding her in his embrace, he reflected on their past, how Hermione has always been their anchor. Without her help, he would have died long ago. Even after the war, Hermione has been the cement that held his heart in one place. Though the trio occasionally met over the past few months, Hermione was by his side most of the time knowing that Ron had his family to help him with his sorrow but Harry had no one. The past couple of weeks, she has been spending time with her parents whose memories the trio restored after tracking them down in Australia just then. It was during those two weeks Harry realized how close they'd grown and how much he missed her presence in his life.  

It was that moment after kissing her forehead, realization had struck him with a lightning bolt. "I won't wait any longer. Now's the time to take a chance and tell her how I feel." He thought to himself making up his mind. 

Releasing her from his embrace, he took her hands and confessed, "'Mione, you've been my best friend over the past seven years. At first, I thought my affection towards you was more brotherly. But... even after I realized that I loved you, I didn't tell you knowing that you would suffer if I had to die fighting Voldemort. It... it's quite okay if you don't reciprocate my feelings. But... I just want you to know... 'Mione, I... I... Lo-" His words were cut off by Hermione's lips crashing on his. It was probably the most wonderful moment in both of their lives. "I love you too Harry..." she mumbled once breaking the kiss. "What led you to think I don't love you back you stupid...." She slapped his chest playfully her cheeks turning slightly pinkish.

Smiling, Harry looked down at those twinkling light brown eyes of hers. Man, he could just dissolve all his worries looking at her mesmerizing eyes. Looking at her, he thought of the time they had lost while they were busy fighting Voldemort and his allies. Her lips were quivering from the kiss they just shared. Slowly, Harry lowered his lips to hers. But, he was stopped by the sound of Ron who came up panting. "Harry, Mum sai- Whoa did I interrupt something?" He said panting. "Nice timing by the way Ronald," Hermione said rather mockingly. But the two men in the room could see how fast she was blushing.

Ron side-hugged Harry as he still had Hermione's hand in his, and said. "Um.. well, Happy Birthday Harry! I came up to escort you down. Cuz mum said that she would come up if you weren't there by five minutes. Well, I better get downstairs now." He said the last part looking at Hermione whose cheeks were now blood red and hurried down the stairs before Hermione could hex him into oblivion.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Happy Birthday, Harry!" Hermione said giving his lips a peck and hurried down the stairs after Ron.

Harry smiled at himself and went down to greet his guests thinking what Ron might have told them about him and 'Mione. Thinking of her brought a smile to his lips. "Perhaps, this wouldn't be the worst birthday... Instead, it's gonna be the best." Harry thought to himself while descending the stairs while a thumb lightly graced his lips where he had shared a kiss with his now girlfriend?