Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the End of Illusions	By : Christina_Potter_09 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Harry/Hermione Views: 11159 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
-CHAPTER TEN -

When the Illusions End

‘Who wouldn’t prefer him? What woman would take you? You are nothing, nothing, nothing to him,’ crooned Riddle-Hermione, and she stretched like a snake and entwined herself around Riddle-Harry, wrapping him in a close embrace: their lips met.

Harry opened his eyes with a start, he groaned as he rubbed his eyes. The same dream had been haunting him ever since he talked with Ron. He couldn’t believe he was in this mess but after his talk with his best friend, Harry knew that Hermione was more than his best friend in his heart. In a few hours his lessons would be starting and sleep was out of the question with the dream of that night hunting him over and over. As Harry stood up and put his glasses on he saw Prongs the owl close to his bed, sleeping.

‘Even you can sleep more than me,’ Harry muttered and moved closer to the small owl. He missed Hedwig but Hermione’s gift was really precious to him. Hermione’s birthday was in five days and he was planning to ask for McGonagall's permission to go to Hogsmeade and buy her a gift even though he wasn’t sure of what that gift would be. He smiled at the thought of Hermione and then felt a little silly. He hoped that Hermione hadn’t noticed his odd attitude for the last few days. She could read his face and ways as he could and he was nervous around her. He was nervous around Ron as well but he didn’t see his male best friend so much so he hoped Ron hadn’t noticed anything either. He didn’t know if and when he would talk to Hermione but she had understood about him fancying Cho and Harry was terrified at the thought of Hermione realizing his feelings for her as well.

He tried to forget all this and decided to prepare for the day, a slight grin across his face. Since when did I become a good student? Harry wondered and shrugged, still grinning.

Hours slipped by slowly, but now Harry was waiting for Hermione in the common room of their small tower. He heard her coming down the stairs and gulped when he saw her in her robes with her hair in soft curls. She smiled at him like she always did but Harry croaked when he tried to say good morning. Hermione looked at him with a bit of concern and Harry tried to smile and act more normal. As she passed him by and her arm brushed against his, Harry jumped like electricity had passed through him from the spot where their arms touched. Hermione didn’t notice, or if she did tried not to show, and headed to the door. Harry mentally kicked himself for all this and followed her.

As Harry was fighting not to catch up on his lost sleep during the history of magic lesson and tried to focus on something other than the ghostly professor that seemed determined to bore them all to death, a thought crossed his mind. The next lesson was Defense against the Dark Arts and they'd be beginning Legilimancy and Occlumency. Harry knew that if he wanted to be an Auror he needed to be great and that made him nervous but exploring Hermione’s mind made him feel even more nervous and somehow excited. He wasn’t sure how he would handle being inside Hermione’s mind. She was powerful and she probably already knew things about Legilimancy and Occlumency from books but Harry hoped he would do well. He still wanted to try and learn how Hermione felt about him before considering the possibility of talking to her.

Hermione was too precious for him to lose her so he needed to be sure. McGonagall would be the Legilimens who would help the students. He was sure McGonagall had allowed Ms Brown to let Harry choose who he wanted to be with for the practice. Harry also remembered the way Ron had acted when he had told him about his plan. He didn’t know why but Harry felt like Ron knew something he didn’t.

Harry, lost in his thoughts, didn’t realize when the bell rung and came out of his thoughts as Hermione nudged his arm. He looked at her and smiled like an idiot, stood and followed her and Ron, who looked at him oddly, to the classroom where Defense against the Dark Arts would take place. The rest of the seventh years from the four houses were there already. The trio sat at a table in the middle and waited for Ms Brown to show up. Harry looked around him as he took his book out of his bag. Many students were looking at him, but he tried to ignore them. He saw Neville Longbottom sitting with Hannah Abbot at a table and holding her hand. He turned to look around as well. Their eyes met and Neville smiled at Harry, blushing. Harry smiled back feeling a small amount of jealousy. He wished he could hold a specific girl’s hand like Neville did with Hannah. Harry turned around as Ms Brown entered the classroom and smiled at everyone but beamed at Harry. McGonagall wasn’t there, Harry noticed.

‘Good morning class,’ Ms Brown said and smiled at everyone again. She told them about the page and paragraphs they needed to study first. The class fell silent as everyone followed her directions. After a few minutes, the students began to whisper about the chapter so Ms Brown asked for silence and started explaining things that Harry already knew from Snape. She asked for a volunteer and Harry saw Hannah nudging Neville. Neville licked his lips nervously but nodded at her and lifted his arm to get the professor's attention. Ms Brown smiled and nodded at him to come closer. Neville did as he was told and stood right in front of his professor.

‘Now, if I try to enter Mr. Longbottom’s mind, I will succeed because he doesn’t know how to use Occlumency. You’ll learn how to seal your mind after you will have known how to enter someone’s else. You can’t know the exact way of sealing your mind if you haven’t experienced Legilimancy first. You need to know how the spell affects you and then you can learn how to stop it,’ Ms Brown said and the door opened revealing Minerva McGonagall.

‘Sorry for being late,’ she said and nodded to the seventh year students. Everyone stood up as a sign of respect and she gestured for the children to sit back down. Ms Brown told the Headmistress what she had told the students already. McGonagall nodded and turned to the class.

‘As I can see there is already someone willing to help us here,’ McGonagall said looking at Neville. He nodded nervously and glanced at the table where Hannah was seating. Harry felt a small smile forming on his lips. He was happy his friend had someone to believe in him. Like Harry had Hermione, even though it was just as friends.

McGonagall moved away from Neville and pointed her wand on him. Neville seemed terrified.

‘Try to empty your mind from thoughts and memories. It will be more difficult for the introducer to see your thoughts,’ McGonagall said and Neville nodded helplessly. ‘Legilimencs!’ McGonagall said and everyone in the class fell silent. Neville’s eyes seemed empty, looking nowhere. McGonagall’s eyes were shut and she was frowning in concentration. After an endless minute McGonagall opened her eyes and lowered her wand as Neville fell to his knees, exhausted. Everyone gasped and Hannah Abbot stood up and moved close to him but McGonagall and professor Brown helped Neville up first. Hannah helped him sit back at their table and McGonagall spoke to the shocked class.

‘Mr. Longbottom really tried to stop me but I was more powerful. Even if you empty your minds if the Legilimens is more skillful he or she will read your minds again. That’s why Occlumency is needed.’ McGonagall said and looked at Neville. ‘Well done, Mr. Longbottom, ten points to Gryffindor,’ she added and all the Gryffindors turned and beamed at their blushing classmate.

Ms Brown spoke next. ‘Now, our next lesson is tomorrow, I want you to try Legilimancy on each other tonight. Because of the lack of practice and method I’m sure you won’t harm each other. I want you working in pairs.’ Ms Brown took a piece of parchment with the names of the students from her desk. She started announcing the pairs. ‘Milligan and Padma Patil. Parvati Patil and Brown. Thomas and Weasley. Longbottom and Abbot. Potter and Granger…’ Ms Brown went on but Harry didn’t pay attention because of Hermione’s petrified expression. He was sure Hermione would be happy with this but now looking at her scared face he knew she was far away from being happy about being paired with him for practice. He had hoped that he could show Ron that he did the right thing but seeing Ron looking at her with sympathy made him feel angry and hurt. He thought Hermione trusted him. She looked at him and then away again.

‘I thought I did the right thing…’ Harry said, trying to explain himself even if he hadn’t done something wrong. Hermione turned to him angrily.

‘You did this?’ Hermione demanded.

Harry was bewildered. ‘Yes, because I saw you after the nightmare and I was stupid enough to think that you’d be better with me, someone I thought you trusted. I don’t understand why Ron didn’t want that as well,’ Harry snapped. Everyone had stopped whatever they were doing and watched their fight but Harry didn’t care. He did all that because he cared for her. Hermione turned to Ron.

‘You knew? And you didn’t say a bloody word?’ she shouted and Ron tried to explain himself and the promise he had made to Harry. The bell rang and Hermione stood up and gathered her book and wand, storming out of the class before anyone else. Everyone stood there along with Professor Brown and McGonagall, looking at Ron and Harry. Harry groaned and gathered his stuff as well. He glared at Ron and stormed out of the class too, leaving everyone frozen behind him.

Harry didn’t want to go to lunch, since Hermione was probably there. He didn’t want to attend any other class either. He moved out of the castle and started walking down the path to the lake furiously. He did everything to help her and now she was mad at him. He knew he wasn’t furious because she didn’t just want him but because he felt Hermione didn’t trust him enough to let him into her mind when he trusted her with his life. And Ron... Why didn't his mate take his side and tell him Hermione was just acting awkward as Ron usually said. Was there something Hermione and Ron knew that was unknown to him?

Without ever realizing it his steps brought him to Hagrid’s shack. He decided to pay a visit to his old friend. With all this new fame, the lessons and the torrent in his mind, Harry didn’t have time for his friend except for a few times he saw him during his lessons. He knocked on the door and after a few moments Hagrid opened the door and beamed at Harry.

‘Hello, Harry, come in.’ Hagrid smiled and made space for him. Harry smiled gratefully and moved inside. Fank ran close to him and Harry rubbed the dog’s big head. He then took a seat at the table and waited for Hagrid to put the tea pot above the fire in the fireplace and make the tea. When that was done, Hagrid poured tea into a normal cup for Harry and into a much larger cup for himself. He brought the cups to the table and sat on his huge chair.

‘So, how ar’ ya?’ Hagrid asked and Harry tried to murmur some of his news about lessons and such. With those murmurs, hours went by in semi-silence. Hagrid listened to him carefully and then looked at him waiting.

‘What? That's all I have to tell,’ Harry said as Hagrid kept looking at him. Hagrid nodded and rubbed Fank’s head as the dog moved closer.

‘Then why do you look so sad and angry?’ Hagrid asked still looking at the dog. Harry stiffened in his chair, not knowing what to say.

‘I’m just tired, I think.’ Harry said and Hagrid looked at him again.

‘Look, Harry, I’m not Sirius or yo’r father but ya know you can trust me if somethin's troublin you,’ Hagrid said and Harry looked on his friend’s face. He could trust him indeed. Harry lowered his head and decided to talk about what was wrong before explode.

Harry looked up, knowing he could trust Hagrid. Harry looked back down and decided to talk about what was wrong before he exploded. ‘I’ve feelings for Hermione,’ Harry said glancing up at Hagrid morosely. To his surprise, Hagrid seemed calm and completely unfazed by Harry's declaration.

‘Is that all?’ Hagrid asked and Harry felt like bursting at him.

‘Is that all?' Harry asked incredulously. 'Hagrid, I’m in love with my best friend! This is- is…’ Harry trailed off and hid his face in his hands.

‘Look, Harry. I always believed that you and Hermione had something goin. Call me crazy, but you two always seemed like a good match, that’s why I wanted you and only to learn about Grawp, I knew I could trust you because of the trust you two are sharing. I’m no expert in these things but you two always seemed to be made for each other,’ Hagrid said.

‘Really?’ Harry asked not knowing what else to say. Hagrid nodded.

‘I was actually very surprised when Arthur told me that you and Hermione had returned from Australia and ya weren’t together.’ Hagrid said casually taking a long drink. Harry felt like someone had just slapped him.

‘You think Hermione can return my feelings?’ Harry blurted out. Hagrid was the last person Harry would think of talking to about his feelings but now he was happy to hear those things from the first person he met from the Wizarding World and the person would had known him for the longest amount of time.

‘I’m positive,’ Hagrid said and smiled. Harry stood up and gripped his bag. He promised another visit to Hagrid and rushed out of the shack. He ran back to the castle and in the Great Hall where everyone was taking dinner. He was feeling happy about all this and he knew that after lunch Hermione would show up for their practice. He didn’t know what Hermione and Ron knew but he made the decision to learn. He loved Hermione and it was time to clear some things out. He sat at the end of the table and many people turned and looked at him but Harry didn’t care. He put some food on his plate and started eating quickly. He needed energy for the practice. When he finished, he stood up and hurried out of the hall. He headed to his and Hermione’s tower and entered the room after saying the password to the two small angels of the portrait.

He looked around and saw Hermione’s bag already on the couch. He took a deep breath and called out her name. ‘Hermione! Are you upstairs?’ he called out. No answer. He waited for awhile and then heard Hermione moving down to the common room. He looked at her and felt his heart breaking as he saw her eyes; red, puffy and sad.

‘I’m here,’ she said in a quiet shaky voice. felt like he didn’t want to do nothing from the things he had decided to do so. He took a step closer to her and touched her cheek gently. It felt wonderful so he lingered a bit.

‘I didn’t want to make you feel so sad, Hermione. I wanted to help,’ Harry said quietly and fought back the need to kiss her rosy lips. She moved away and took a deep breath.

‘I know, Harry,’ Hermione said and moved to the other side of the common room. ‘Let's just finish with this.’ Harry just nodded his head, feeling like everything was crumbling around him. Where were all the happy feelings he'd had just a few minutes before?

‘You can start,’ Harry said and Hermione nodded. Harry tried to empty his mind from memories, thoughts and Hermione’s sad image.

‘Legilimens!’ Harry heard Hermione’s voice and then he felt the same old and odd feeling he had felt when Snape was entering his mind.

A small terrified boy with black hair was in a cupboard, listening to Dudley’s happy screams as he was opening his Christmas gifts. Harry and Ron running to the girls’ toilets where the Troll had just headed to. Harry in front of the mirror of Erised, watching his parents. Harry and Ron running to the Hospital Wing and Harry looking terrified at Hermione’s petrified form on a bed. Harry trying to catch the egg as he was above the huge female dragon. Harry trying to untie Ron’s bonds and then trying to help Hermione in the lake when the merpeople stopped him.

The scene changed again and now Harry and Hermione were in an empty classroom, Hermione was crying and Harry moved closer. The scene changed again and now Harry was alone in his and Hermione’s common room passing in front of the fireplace and looking at the newspaper with the picture of him and Hermione hugging.

Harry felt panic slipping in his mind. ‘Enough!’ he cried and then realized he was on the floor, panting, Hermione had leaned on the back of one armchair but she was still standing.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered and tried to move away from the armchair as Harry stood up and took his wand again.

‘It’s OK,’ Harry said and Hermione nodded. He looked at her and then cleared his throat. It was time. ‘Tell me when you’re ready,’ Harry said and Hermione nodded. Harry waited for awhile so she could prepare.

Hermione looked at him for a few moments and then closed her eyes, raised her wand and spoke.

‘Ready…’

‘Legilimens!’ Harry said as he pointed his own wand at her. He felt his eyes closing and a feeling familiar to the one of portkey-traveling on his body and mind.

A very young Hermione was jumping on a couch with a letter from Hogwarts in her hands.

‘I’m a witch! I’m a witch!’ she was calling out happily. The scene changed soon and now Hermione was searching for Trevor the toad along with Neville. Harry walked with Hermione and noticed how much taller she was now. The scene changed again and now Harry saw an older Hermione blushing as Victor Krum was standing in front of her in the library.

‘Hermini, vould you like to go to the ball vith me?’ Krum asked and Hermione blushed even more and nodded her acceptance. Krum took her hand gently and kissed the back of it. Harry felt jealousy and pain but the scene changed again. He hoped he could see something to help him understand things before Hermione managed to push him out of her mind.

Now Hermione was in her dorm, the grounds were still full of people and Harry knew it was the day of Dumbledore’s funeral. Hermione sighed and wiped some more tears. She then looked out of the window and lifted her wand.

‘Accio Horcrux books!’ Hermione cast the spell with uncertainty in her voice. Some books flew into the window and she caught them in her hands. Her expression was triumphant and a little guilty. The scene changed again and Harry gasped at the sight.

Hermione and Ron were in the Chamber of Secrets. Ron was kneeling in front of Hermione like she was and between them there was the cup of Hufflepuff.

‘You've got to stab it, with no second thought,’ Ron said and Hermione nodded with a fang in her hand. The huge skeleton of the basilisk was several feet from them. Ron held the cup steady but before Hermione could destroy the Horcrux, black steam came out of it and took Harry’s form, the same form the steam had took when Harry had opened the locket. The Riddle-Harry looked at Hermione and spoke.

‘Fool! Mudblood, you really believed I could ever return your feelings? Love? For you? The ugly Mudblood? You’re so stupid to help me all these years with no exchange, just the hope for my love!...’ the Harry-Riddle said with sarcasm and hate in his voice. Hermione burst into tears. Ron was watching the scene like the true Harry, frozen.

‘Hermione, stab it!’ Ron finally screamed but Hermione was crying hysterically.

‘I’m not Krum and I’m not Weasley. How could I ever love you? How could I ever look at you as something more than the pathetically helpful Mudblood you are?’ Riddle-Harry went on and suddenly started bleeding from its eyes and mouth. Hermione with a sound between a cry and a pained scream finally stabbed the cup and the figure disappeared. Harry felt numb still in Hermione’s mind as he watched Ron moving closer to her and Hermione making him vow never to say a word about what he had seen.

‘STOP!’ Harry heard Hermione screaming around him and he was back in the common room again. He couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Hermione, his Hermione, was in love with him like he was with her. He looked at her and found her on the floor on her knees, crying like she did back in her memory. Harry tried to move closer to her but she grunted and took her wand. She tried to ran towards to her dorm as fast as she could because of the exhaustion. Harry gripped her arm in an attempt to stop her but she cried out and tried to push his arms away from her. Harry was stronger and kept her where she was. She fell to her knees and Harry sank down beside her on the floor, still holding her.

‘Please, leave me alone,’ Hermione pleaded and Harry hugged her tightly to his chest as she kept crying and trembling. ‘I’ve tried for all these years…’ she murmured between gasps and Harry felt like dying from her voice. She had to know.

‘Hermione… look at me, please, listen to me…’ he started and brought her right in front of him by her arms. She was still crying with her head lowered. ‘Hermione, listen to me….’ He said again and tried to make her look at him.

‘No, no, please…’ Hermione gasped not looking at him. Harry sighed and released one of her arms to gently take hold of her chin to turn her face to his. They looked at each other and Harry felt like he had everything he needed. All these years had finally shown him the right path.

‘I- I love you, Hermione,’ Harry said and Hermione gasped and tried to blink back new tears. ‘I love you and I now know that you love me too. I’m the most happy person in this bloody world, because you survived the war and are here with me. I love you,’ Harry said and only then realized that this was the first time in his life that he had uttered those words. He had just said it, more than once, to the only person who truly deserved to hear it. Harry smiled at her as all the weight he was feeling on his chest was now gone. Hermione didn’t dare to take her eyes away from his. Harry kept smiling as he stared into her warm cinnamon eyes. They stood there like that for some endless moments until Hermione flung herself into Harry’s arms. Harry returned the hug joyfully.

‘My God, I love you too,’ he heard her whispering close to his ear and shivered at the sound of her words, of this little sentence full of need and love from her lips. They embraced for several moments and then Hermione moved a bit away so they could look at each other. Harry gazed at her familiar features.

‘I love you,’ he said once more.

Hermione smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. ‘I love you too,’ she whispered and Harry moved closer again. He felt nervous, but he knew that the next moment would be one of the happiest in his life. He closed his eyes, leaned closer and lightly brushed his lips against hers. He felt her gasping against his lips but she leaned closer and pressed her lips more firmly against his. This was his first kiss with Hermione, and it wasn't after some meeting with the D.A with an overly dramatic girl. It wasn't in the middle of a celebration with a girl whose looks appealed to him more than anything else. He was kissing Hermione, who knew him better than anyone else and loved him anyway.

At this thought, Harry felt the need for more. He moved his tongue along her bottom lip, begging silently for entrance. Hermione gave it to him and he felt his tongue slip into her mouth, tasting her sweetness and the slight taste of pumpkin pie. He started exploring her mouth and a moment later he started a battle of conquest and love with hers in the silent common room. Harry moved one of his arms around the small of Hermione’s back and the other into her curly hair, cupping the back of her neck and keeping her head close to his. Her arms slipped up his shoulders and into his hair. They stood there, kissing and caressing, devouring and filling each other’s hearts and souls with what they both needed: love.

After the most blissful moments of Harry’s life, oxygen became necessary, so they broke the kiss and looked at each other. They didn’t blush and they didn’t look away. They just stared into each other’s eyes. Harry tore his eyes away from hers and looked at her swollen lips as both of their breathing was still heavy. He couldn’t resist and leaned and kissed Hermione again. She responded again but Harry broke the kiss and looked at her.

‘For how long?’ he asked in a whisper and Hermione looked away. Harry cupped her face and made her look at him, wanting his answer.

‘Does it really matter now?’ she asked, in a whisper again.

‘Yes. It does for me, so I can know for how long I had my treasure right in front of my bloody face,’ Harry said with a more firm voice. Hermione looked down and Harry hugged her, trying to make her confession easier in his arms.

‘Since fourth year. Since I realized that without you I wasn’t able to breathe. I thought you’d see, but I knew you were busy with the Tri Wizard. And then I felt even more strong feelings for you in the fifth year when we were the co-leaders of the D.A.’ Hermione said and Harry knew she was ready to cry again by the sound of her voice. He made his hug tighter, trying to keep all his guilt out of his mind so he could follow what she was saying.

‘The sixth year was hard, with Ron and his bloody attitude and you and Ginny. I knew Cho was just a crush but I thought Ginny had the power to make you hers. She always fancied you, even before she met you. And you fancied her back and the only boy who was giving me any attention after Victor was Ron and then he had Lavender and I was all alone again, trying to accept you and Ginny, my closest female friend with the one I love the most. I was alone again like before Hogwarts, like always…’ Hermione said and Harry closed his eyes, trying to realize how much she hurt. He felt pain and jealousy when he saw Victor kissing her hands back in her memory. He could only imagine how much she’d been suffering seeing him and Ginny kissing again and again.

‘And then I knew that the only thing that mattered was you and your life. So I gave up my parents and my seventh year here. I followed you. I risked everything for you like a true best friend, but I tried to move on too. I knew Ron was trying to gain my attention and after all those years I decided to give him a chance. And I did try, but you were always in my life, the center of it, the only one who matters for me. And Ron knew it. Both he and I realized it when I cast the Protego and separate him from you and my self in the tent,’ Hermione said and Harry was ready to talk but Hermione answered his unspoken question.

‘I kissed him just because I wanted to know what it's like to be kissed and to have someone interested in me before my possible death that night. I thought you would never care for me. When we were at the Burrow, I could see that you felt as suffocated as I did. I felt like the happiest person in the world when we made the plans to go to Sydney. I felt like something may happen again after Ron and Ginny being out of our lives for awhile. But even then…’ Hermione trailed off and a sob was heard from her lips. Harry didn’t want to hear anymore. He could see everything clearly now.

He moved Hermione just a bit away from him again and brushed away her fresh tears with his thumb. ‘I’m sorry for being so blind,’ Harry whispered and Hermione looked at him. ‘I’m so sorry for not realizing... I’m sorry for hurting you,’ Harry added, allowing his fingers to linger on her cheeks.

‘It’s OK. You didn’t know and you were under so much pressure,’ Hermione whispered. Harry felt so fortunate. Even now, she was excusing his actions; after years of pain.

‘Don’t do that. We both know I was wrong,’ Harry said and moved closer to her and kissed her cheek, her nose, her temple and her wet eyelids.

‘Someone who loves, forgets and forgives as well,’ Hermione whispered and Harry looked at her, his heart full of love for his best friend, for the woman he would give anything for.

‘You love me,’ Harry whispered in a tone of awe. Hermione chuckled and Harry felt unbelievably happy at the sight of her smile.

‘You’re really bright, Harry,’ Hermione said and Harry felt himself smiling as well.

‘I’m really sorry,’ Harry said again and Hermione touched his face this time. ‘My mind was so troubled and confused with everyone and everything around me… I didn’t look straightly in front of my eyes to find what I needed-’

‘Sssh,’ Hermione said and moved a finger against his lips. Harry pecked her finger and she smiled again.

‘It’s OK now. We can start from here,’ Hermione said and Harry smiled wider than he had in months and took her finger from his lips so he could kiss hers again. This time the kiss was more passionate. Harry tried to stand up and he managed it without breaking the kiss. Hermione followed him and together they stumbled between grins against each other’s lips to the couch. They sat there and Harry moved his arms around Hermione as she did the same with her arms around him. Harry caressed her back and shoulders, Hermione did the same. When they broke the kiss, they smiled at each other and Harry hugged Hermione again.

Harry felt like his heart would fly out of his rib cage. He couldn’t believe things would turn like that a couple of hours before. Hermione was sitting next to him, her head against his shoulder and her arm across his chest. One of his hands was holding hers, and the other was caressing the top of her head and her hair. He chuckled at the thought of her bushy hair and his messy hair. Hermione lifted her head and looked at him.

‘What?’ she asked smiling and Harry looked into her eyes again; the same eyes he had seen countless times in the past. The same eyes that looked at him with concern, care or fear over those seven years. Hermione, the only one able to understand him without even needing to speak. Small touches, laughs, arguments, smiles and tears over the years, with two words: trust and love bonded Harry with Hermione and he knew, this bond would never break, eight years full of darkness and pain proved it.

‘Nothing,’ he finally said and kissed her temple. She smiled and rested her head against his chest, just about his heart. ‘People were wrong,’ Harry said and Hermione didn’t move her head this time, but he knew she wanted to hear what he had to say. ‘I think, after all, I act with my bloody head and you act with your heart,’ Harry said and Hermione looked at him as he finished his words. She moved closer and Harry captured her lips with his again, never having enough of her sweet lips and mouth.

Hermione broke the kiss this time and smiled. Harry looked at her, the woman she had become and smiled too. ‘We have to talk to Ron. He kept his mouth shut in both cases of the cup and your plan for the practice,’ Hermione said and tried to keep the smile on her face even if a slight frown of concern crossed it. Harry sighed and placed the hand holding hers between their faces. He kissed her hand’s knuckles and then he pecked her lips.

‘We will, and he’ll understand, I think. Like everyone will.’ Harry said and Hermione nodded.

‘We can keep it quiet for now. It will cause chaos again and things will be hard for both of us once more,’ Hermione said and Harry nodded this time. He didn’t want to think of all this now; not now with Hermione in his arms, alone with her in their common room. He didn’t want to ruin his first happy time with the one he loves after years of search for this incredible feeling of fulfillment and love.

‘Everything will be fine,’ they said in unison as if they had read each other’s minds. They smiled and kissed again, enjoying the most simple and, at the same time, complicated thing in the whole world: their love for each other.
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Harry Potter and the End of Illusions