Chapter Text
The chaos of the scene at Hogwarts showed that lots of people were practicing the ancient and honorable method of dealing with big problems.
"When in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."
Harry stayed hidden under his cloak and made his way over to his three concerned ladies. From behind them he whispered to meet him in the Room of Requirement in 30 minutes.
Only long association with Harry kept them from screaming with fright, not that anyone would have noticed in the gymkhana being held right then.
By the time the girls reached the room, traveling by different routes, Harry had had Dobby place more "trash" listening charms around the maze and seats.
Madam Bones, he had learned, had seized the cadavers of Babymort and Wormtail, but was now locked in a jurisdictional argument with the Unspeakables.
Fudge was babbling about how "He can't be back", even with the evidence that he had been back cooling on the grass.
Since the timing had been bad as far as Harry getting dinner, he had requested meals for them all from Dobby, who was happy to provide. They all ate better than they had before the Task.
After a period of gentle unwinding of tension, in all the parties, Padma began to tell him the hardest thing she had ever had to say. She still felt he was more than a normal friend, but she simply couldn't stand to go through any more Harry adventures as his girlfriend, much less anything more.
She started to remove the Potter Protectee ring, but Harry laid a gentle hand on hers, and shook his head.
"I told you that being a Protectee wasn't tied to love, Padma. I also told you that I couldn't promise how far our friendship would go, or if it would break under the strain of "me being me". Please do me the honor of remaining under my protection, until the day you marry someone else, or even after if you wish. And know that you will always be in a friendship with Harry Potter, as long as I draw breath."
And with that he gently kissed her on her lips, chastely, one last time.
There were tears glittering in the corners of Padma's eyes, as she looked at her first boyfriend, with whom she had grown greatly, as a woman, as well as a friend, and she gave him a saying she had heard Quidditch players use a few times, "Right back atcha".
Surprised, Harry did something no one expected at that moment, he laughed, a deep belly laugh, not a little chuckle, then he smiled. And so Padma left for Ravenclaw's commonroom, knowing she had survived her first breakup.
And knowing that it was supposed to be the worst possible time to broach such a thing, especially with a fragile boy such as Harry had always been, Hermione took a deep breath, and dared to take a plunge.
"Harry. I want you to know that I wanted to go to the Ball with you, but when you hadn't asked, and Victor did, I accepted, thinking you would never ask. Then you did, and I couldn't accept. I've watched you with Padma, and I know how much she has grown to mean to you. I know she always will. But I think you and I can start to build something even more and even better than what we already have, if you are willing to take the risk."
But Harry had done his share of growing, as a young man and as a potential lover, and a great deal of it was entirely due to Hermione, who had always been there for him.
No, it wasn't the best of circumstances, but at the same time, Hermione was telling Mr. McBroodypants that she was not just scenery, or help with homework. So maybe he didn't need to brood.
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Years later, after graduation, when they married, with both Padma and Luna among the Bridal party, Harry and Hermione exchanged one extra vow, that wasn't in the standard magical marriage.
Each posed the question to the other.
"Till the stars grow old and our sun grows cold? Will you fight for us, lie for us, love us - and let us love you ?" *
Each answered the challenge in the affirmative, and somehow, without wands, the flash of light signifying a magical vow taken, illuminated their smiling faces.