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“Do you trust me?”
“Undeniably.”
“Run away with me?”
“I’d follow you anywhere.”
The music played softly in the background as Hermione padded through the kitchen, her hands filled with the ingredients for baking. Her feet were bare, grounding her to the hardwood flooring that she knew like the back of her hand. The door to the orchards in the back was open wide, the window above the sink along with it. She could hear the water from the stream nearby, bask in the song of the birds that were singing, and smile at the sounds of children laughing. It was a wonderful life. She had a beautiful life.
When the war was over, Hermione thought that she would be able to rest, to breathe. There was no time for rest though. There were so many things that needed to be done. The castle needed to be rebuilt, funerals needed to be planned, and trials that she had to participate in. The longer that time went on, the harder it became for Hermione to breathe. Every time she watched another family bury a loved one and every time she had to relieve every moment of the horrors of Voldemort’s reign, she retreated further into herself. She was able to smile and pass everything off as normal to everyone around her… everyone except for one person.
“Mione?” A soft voice called from outside the bathroom door at the burrow. The curly-haired witch took a steadying breath and closed her eyes before answering.
“I’ll be right out Harry,” she answered, her voice wavering only slightly.
“Mione let me in,” he pleaded. “I know something is wrong. It’s just me. Please… let me in.”
She took a few moments to contemplate. This was Harry, the only person in the entire world that knew her inside and out. The same Harry she spent nine months running and hunting Horcruxes with. The same man that knew every inch of her mind, body, and soul. There was no choice to be made. She eased the door open gently and allowed him to slip inside.
“You’re supposed to be playing a pickup game of Quidditch outside with the others,” she murmured, unable to make eye contact with him as she busied herself with washing her hands.
“Mione,” Harry said again, reverently taking her head in his hands and forcing her to look at him. When her brown eyes met his green, she melted into him. “I know you well enough to know something is going on. You may be able to hide it from the others but not me. I see you Hermione and I know that something has been wrong for a while. Let me in. Let me help you.”
“I feel like I can’t breathe,” she whispered, tears silently falling from her eyes. “I know the war is over and it’s time to move on I want to, god do I want to move on but I can’t. It’s like I’m drowning Harry… I’m drowning and I don’t know how to come up for air.”
“Breathe,” he whispered as his lips pressed against the crown of her head. “Breathe.”
“I feel like there is this darkness… always following me and trying to swallow me whole.” Her small hands grasped the flannel he wore as her breaths became ragged. “Even when I sleep it’s waiting for me in my dreams with Bellatrix, Greyback, and red eyes… those eyes…”
“What can I do?” Harry begged, his voice hoarse with his own emotions as he watched the strongest person he knew struggling. “Tell me what I can do to help you?”
“I don’t know…”
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do. You know that.”
“Then run away with me,” Harry said, pulling back to look into her chocolate eyes once again. “We are lost, Mione. I need to leave and figure out who I am without a dark lord to stop… but I can’t leave without you. Run away with me…”
“Alright…”
And run they did. They announced that night at dinner with the Weasleys that they would be leaving and they didn’t know when they would be back. Harry did all the talking, never letting go of her hand. They set off the next morning with nothing but her trusted beaded bag. Hermione let go of the control she always held so tightly and let Harry lead the way. It wasn’t long before he apparated them into the clearing of an empty plot of land. She looked over at him but before she could speak, she noticed the look of determination on his face. “Trust me, Mione?” Her answer was to take his hand in hers and walk before with him as he took his first step.
As she felt the shimmer of the wards, her breath caught in her throat. Suddenly the ruins of a very old, very large manor were in view. A small smile rested on Harry’s face, one that Hermione hadn’t seen in a very long time.
“This was Potter Manor,” Harry said softly, squeezing her hand gently and beginning to walk forward with her. The smell of the orchards and Harry himself filled her senses and she felt something ignite within her soul. It was a feeling she had only felt with one other person but it wasn’t until this moment that she understood what it meant. “I want to remake it, build it from the ground up.”
“I think… I think that’s beautiful Harry.” Her words were soft, along with her smile. It was the most confidence in himself she had ever seen him have and she couldn’t help but feel her heart leap for him, just as it had done so many times on the run.
“I want to make a home.” He took her other hand in his, looking down at her as he ran his thumbs over her knuckles. Her skin was always so soft and warm, just like her. Hermione was the sun and he would never forget that. “I want to make a home with you…”
“With me?”
“Mione,” Harry said reverently. “Did you truly think that everything that happened in the tent… everything that we said to one another… do you think that is something I will ever forget?”
“Ginny…”
“You thought I was going to go back to Ginny,” Harry nodded, a sad smile on his face as he brushed curls out of her eyes. “You and I… it’s different. It’s the most… tangible feeling I’ve ever had in my life. Holding you in my arms… I was home. I’ve never brought anyone else to this place and I haven’t told anyone either. It didn’t feel right… until now.”
Building a life together came simply for Harry and Hermione. They quickly cleared the land with magic and together they built a solid foundation and sturdy walls that would house them for years to come. Somehow as their hands built a floor and windows, the pieces of their souls were filling the cracks within them. Hermione felt lighter than she had in years. There were no long furrowed brows and tears. There was laughter and smiles lines that Harry hoped would never fade. She was the epitome of beauty to him and the life they were building was what he had endlessly been searching for.
The home was modest compared to what stood before it but was perfect for the young couple. The brick two-story cottage sat nestled within the orchards with a garden Hermione planted in memory of her mother. Ivy crawled up the walls as if the home was feeding the earth. It was everything they could have ever wanted.
Harry and Hermione sat together in front of the fire, their new kitten snoozing away nestled in the blanket covering them both. Harry sighed as he reverently ran the pad of his thumb over his mother’s engagement ring that was now resting on Hermione’s finger.
“You know,” Harry said softly, kissing her temple and resting her chin on the top of her head. Her curls smelled like her lavender shampoo and he could lose himself in it. “I think I’ve finally figured it out.”
“Hmm?” she asked, tearing her eyes from the pages of the book that had been holding her attention for the last hour.
“I kept trying to figure out who I was and what I was supposed to do after defeating a dark lord,” Harry said. “I’ve always been the boy who lived… I was the prophesied one that lost every hero he ever thought he had and then I realized… I wasn’t the hero of the story.”
“No?”
“I met my hero… as a young boy on a train. She stormed into my cabin and fixed my glasses for me. She stood by my side no matter the cost or the pain it brought her. She believed in me when no one else did… she never once abandoned me. I would never have survived without her. She’s the sun… and I am the lucky bloke that was warmed by her kindness and her strength,” Harry said and smiled gently as he heard a soft sniffle come from her. “You’re more than just the brightest witch of her age… you are my hero, Hermione Granger.”
“Hermione Potter,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Do you trust me?”
“Undeniably.”
“Run away with me?”
“I’d follow you anywhere.”
They had married in a quiet ceremony in the orchards behind Potter Cottage, only their closest loved ones in attendance. Hermione wore a white dress that honored her muggle heritage while a stag, a doe, a wolf, and a dog were transfigured to honor Harry’s. It was there that they bound their souls to one another in every way possible. They would be one in this life and every life after. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that not long after their wedding they officially adopted Teddy. A year or so after that, James Sirius Potter was born. Their home was full of love and happiness and their hearts were full.
Harry accepted a position at Hogwarts teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. The family had considered relocating to Hogsmeade but when they found out that Hermione was expecting the twins, Rose and Lily, they decided it was for the best to stay in the family home. Minerva had allowed Harry to connect the floo from his private quarters to his home and he was only required to stay at the castle a few nights a month. The most surprising ally that Harry had found at Hogwarts besides Neville Longbottom was Draco Malfoy who had taken over as the Potions professor.
They had seen each other over the years, first when Harry and Hermione had testified at his trial and again at the wedding of Ginny Weasley and Theodore Nott. Once they were both working in the same vicinity, the two had formed a strange bond that no one could quite explain. Draco told Hermione once that they bonded over the notion of both having lived with Voldemort in some capacity. The two men had become close enough that when the twins came, Draco was asked to be the godfather alongside Ginny.
Blaise and Daphne had a daughter that was James’ age along with Ron and Luna’s son Hugo. Scorpius Malfoy was the same age as the Potter Twins and only nine months older than the new Nott heir. A playgroup was formed quickly and multiple times a month they would all get together and see one another. Pansy and Draco were frequent visitors to the cottage and ironically the closest to the growing family. Draco had confided in Hermione that getting pregnant with Scorpius was hard enough for Pansy and he didn’t want to put her through that again even if he longed for a large family for his son. So Hermione and Harry adopted them into theirs.
“Do you ever think about it?” Harry asked as he swayed with a sleeping Rose in her arms while Hermione rocked Lily.
“Think about what?” she asked softly. Her smile was tired but her eyes were so full of life, that Harry’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at her.
"How we ended up here.”
“I think…we were always meant to end up here,” she answered after a few moments of quiet contemplation. “We were supposed to go through everything to end up here… happy and alive and together.”
“Says the witch who doesn’t believe in divination,” Harry teased.
“I don’t,” Hermione said, scrunching her nose cutely. “I believe in you.”
“It smells delicious in here,” a deep voice spoke pulling Hermione from her thoughts. She smiled softly and turned to face her husband. Harry stood there watching her with a bright, adoring smile. Drying her hands, she quickly approached him.
“You’re home early,” her words softly spoken as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing against him best she could with an eight-month baby bump between them.
“I missed you,” Harry murmured pressing his hips against hers in a sweet kiss. A hand came to rest on her belly, his thumb tracing circles on the fabric of her dress as their cat wound its way through their legs. “And our little monsters. Where are they hmm?”
“The twins were chasing Jamie through the orchards,” she giggled, caressing his cheek. His beard was soft, always neatly kept, unlike his unruly black hair that their son had inherited. She had always thought of him as handsome but there was something about him now that with one look could set her on fire. It was exactly that reason that they found themselves pregnant once again. “How was Teddy today?”
“He’s in good spirits,” Harry chuckled, idly playing with a lock of her curls, twisting it around his finger. It was a habit of his she knew all too well. It was soothing to him, familiar. “He misses you and the kids. But he loves Hogwarts.”
“I miss him too,” she said softly. “Jamie misses him terribly. The girls frighten him I think.”
“James will be happy to have a brother soon,” Harry chuckled before kissing her again. “Albus will level out the playing field.”
“Albus?”
“You told me to start thinking of names,” he replied, a smirk playing at his lips. “I thought Albus Severus Potter had a night ring to it.”
“We are not naming our son Albus Severus,” Hermione laughed, making her way around him as she checked on the dinner in the oven.
“Come on love,” Harry chuckled, leaning against the countertops as he watched her move. He adored watching his very pregnant wife do anything even slightly domestic. He never once took a moment of it for granted. “He would be named after two of the greatest wizards I’ve ever known.”
“Severus Snape bullied us for years,” she scoffed, flipping her long honey-colored curls over her shoulder. “And do not even get me started on my thoughts and feelings towards Albus Dumbledore. He may very well have been a great wizard but that does not excuse him from what he put us all through.”
“Well, what you rather name him hmm? Vernon? Dudley?”
“Hary James Potter,” she snapped, narrowing her eyes. There she is , Harry thought to himself, a playful smile crossing his face. “We will do no such thing! Think of all the wonderful people we could honor. Remus, Cedric. Alastor, Colin, even Dobby!”
“Dobby Potter has a nice ring to it,” Harry laughed and yelped as a stinging hex hit the back of his leg, causing him to laugh even more.
“Harry Potter I will end you!”
“How about a family name then hmm?”
“What did you have in mind now?”
His smile grew more and his eyes sparkled mischievously. “Fleamont.”
“Oh, you!” Hermione shouted and shot another hex at him that the wizard successfully blocked while laughing.
“Mum? Dad?” James asked as he walked in from outside. “What are you two fighting about?”
“Your father wants to name your brother Albus Severus,” Hermione pointed out, handing the young boy a glass of water and running her fingers through his mop of raven curls.
“Oh, he’s my son now is he?” Harry barked, running his fingers through his own hair.
“That’s a horrible name,” James said, wrinkling his nose. “Besides, it’s a girl. I’m destined to be the only boy. I know this.”
“And how do you know that?” Harry asked, cocking an eyebrow as he stared down at his son. He was the perfect blend of Hermione and himself but as he got older, they could see the resemblance leaning more towards him.
“I know things.”
“I hate to break it to you sweetheart but you’re going to have a little brother,” Hermione giggled, shaking her head at her son’s antics.
“Then why don’t you just name him Remus?” James shrugged, grabbing one of the sweets out of the jar on the counter. “Remus was one of Grandpa James' friends too, right? A marauder?”
“You brilliant boy,” Hermione boasted, the little boy preening as she hugged him tightly. “Remus is a beautiful name. Remus Charles, after my father.”
“All the marauders under one roof…” Harry said reverently.
“Mummy! Daddy!” Lily ran into the house, with her sister Rose right at her tail. The twin girls ran circles around their father giggling before going and kissing their mother’s stomach.
“Hello, my little flowers,” Harry smiled, scooping them both into his waiting arms. They each kissed a cheek, Rose resting her head on his shoulder.”
“Rosie is tired,” Lily said as she adjusted Harry’s glasses on his face.
“‘M not!” Rose mumbled
“Dinner will be ready soon, little loves. Time to wash up,” Hermione spoke and with a flick of her wand, she sent the dishes to the table to be set. Harry walked with the two young girls to help them wash up, Lily talking his ear off the entire way.
“Mum,” James called as he washed his hands in the sink. With a smile, the curly-haired witch went over to help him. “Is Uncle Draco coming to dinner tonight?”
“I don’t believe so sweetheart,” Hermione answered as she dried his hands. “He’s at home with Aunt Pansy and Scorpius. But he will be here this weekend for the party. So will Aunt Ginny and Uncle Theo with their little ones.”
“And Uncle George and Freddy!” Lily squealed as Harry walked back into the room with their girls.
“Inside voices Lily,” Rose said shushing her, and Harry couldn’t help but chuckle.
As they settled with their children in the den after dinner, all curled up in front of the fire, Hermione couldn’t help but feel the immense amount of love that surrounded her. After all the pain and darkness, she had more love and brightness than one could ever hope for. It wasn’t the big accomplishments or the glory that made life worth living. It was the little moments, the laughter, nights in front of the fire telling bedtime stories, and the goodnight kisses. It was the scraped knees, flying accidents, and all the quiet moments in between. They had built a home, a bright future and she wouldn’t change one moment of it.