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Chapter Text

The sun dipped low behind the jagged hills surrounding Hogsmeade, casting long shadows over the village. Harry Potter, his nerves taut with anticipation, walked down the familiar cobblestone streets. The war was over, Voldemort defeated by Neville Longbottom, the Boy-Who-Lived. It had been months since the final battle, and life was beginning to return to a semblance of normalcy.

Harry adjusted his glasses, a faint breeze ruffling his untamed black hair. He wasn't used to feeling this anxious, especially not about something as mundane as a date. But this wasn't just any date; it was with Hermione Granger, his best friend for nearly a decade.

As he approached The Three Broomsticks, he spotted Hermione waiting outside, her curly hair gleaming in the golden light of dusk. She was bundled up in a soft, cream-colored cloak, her breath forming little puffs of mist in the cool evening air. She noticed him and waved, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Hi, Harry!" she called, her voice warm and welcoming.

"Hi, Hermione," Harry replied, a smile spreading across his own face. As he reached her, he couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over him. This was Hermione, after all. The same Hermione who had stood by his side through thick and thin. They had faced dark wizards, terrifying creatures, and the constant threat of danger together. Surely, a date couldn't be more daunting than that.

"It's good to see you," Hermione said, her eyes twinkling. "Shall we go in?"

"Yeah, let's," Harry agreed, pushing open the door to The Three Broomsticks. The warm, welcoming atmosphere of the pub enveloped them immediately. The familiar scent of butterbeer and roasted meat filled the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses. It was a place of comfort and camaraderie, a perfect setting for their first official date.

Madam Rosmerta, the pub's owner, greeted them with a cheerful smile. "Harry! Hermione! It's lovely to see you both. Your usual table?"

"Yes, please," Hermione replied, glancing at Harry to make sure he was comfortable with the arrangement. Harry nodded, and they followed Madam Rosmerta to a cozy corner table by the fireplace.

As they sat down, Harry felt a pang of nostalgia. How many times had they sat here with Ron, discussing everything from schoolwork to their next move against Voldemort? But tonight was different. Tonight was just about him and Hermione.

They ordered butterbeers, and soon enough, the frothy mugs were placed before them. Harry took a sip, savoring the rich, creamy flavor. "This feels strange, doesn't it?" he admitted, glancing at Hermione over the rim of his mug.

Hermione smiled, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "A bit, yes. But it's a good kind of strange, I think. We deserve a bit of normalcy after everything we've been through."

Harry nodded in agreement. "You're right. It's just... I never imagined we'd be here like this."

Hermione reached across the table and took his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "Neither did I. But I'm glad we are. We've always had a special connection, Harry. Maybe it's time we explored that."

Harry squeezed her hand, feeling a swell of affection for her. "Yeah. I think you're right."

They spent the next few hours talking about everything and nothing. They reminisced about their school days, shared their dreams for the future, and laughed at old jokes. It was easy, comfortable, and surprisingly natural. As the evening wore on, Harry felt the last of his nervousness melt away.

At one point, Hermione excused herself to use the restroom, and Harry took the opportunity to glance around the pub. It was a busy night, with patrons filling nearly every table. He spotted a few familiar faces from school and gave them a nod of acknowledgment.

As he waited for Hermione to return, Harry's thoughts drifted to the past year. The war had changed them all in profound ways. Neville had emerged as a true hero, leading the charge against Voldemort and ultimately defeating him in a final, epic battle. Harry had played his part, of course, but the spotlight had always been on Neville. And Harry was okay with that. He had never sought fame or glory; he had only ever wanted to protect the people he cared about.

When Hermione returned, she looked more relaxed, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth of the pub. She slid back into her seat, her eyes bright with excitement. "Harry, I have an idea."

"Oh? What's that?" Harry asked, intrigued.

"Let's go for a walk," Hermione suggested. "It's a beautiful night, and there's something I want to show you."

"All right," Harry agreed, intrigued. They paid their bill and donned their cloaks, stepping out into the crisp night air. The village was quiet now, the streets bathed in the soft glow of lamplight. Hermione took Harry's hand, leading him down a familiar path towards the outskirts of Hogsmeade.

They walked in comfortable silence, their footsteps crunching on the gravel road. The stars twinkled above them, and the moon cast a silvery light over the landscape. Harry felt a sense of peace settle over him, a stark contrast to the chaos and turmoil of the past year.

After a short walk, Hermione led Harry to a small clearing near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "This is it," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.

Harry looked around, slightly puzzled. "What is it?"

Hermione pointed to a small, stone bench nestled among the trees. "I found this spot during one of our visits to Hogsmeade in our third year. It's always been my little sanctuary, a place to think and reflect."

Harry sat down on the bench, feeling the cool stone beneath him. Hermione joined him, and they sat in silence for a moment, taking in the serene beauty of the night.

"This place is amazing, Hermione," Harry said finally. "I can see why you like it."

Hermione smiled, her gaze fixed on the stars above. "It's where I used to come when I needed to clear my head. After the war, I found myself coming here more and more. It helped me process everything."

Harry reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Thank you for sharing it with me."

Hermione turned to face him, her eyes full of emotion. "Harry, I know this is new for both of us, but I'm glad we're giving it a chance. We've been through so much together, and I think we owe it to ourselves to see where this goes."

Harry felt a lump form in his throat. "I feel the same way, Hermione. You're my best friend, and I care about you more than I can say. I want to see where this leads."

They sat in silence for a while longer, simply enjoying each other's company. The night was still, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. Harry felt a sense of contentment he hadn't experienced in a long time. For the first time in months, he allowed himself to believe that everything might just turn out okay.

As the night grew colder, they reluctantly decided to head back to the village. They walked hand in hand, their steps unhurried. The streets of Hogsmeade were almost deserted now, the shops closed and the windows dark.

When they reached The Three Broomsticks, Hermione paused, turning to face Harry. "Thank you for tonight, Harry. I had a wonderful time."

"Me too," Harry replied, smiling down at her. "Let's do this again soon."

Hermione leaned in and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Hermione," Harry said, his heart swelling with affection. He watched as she walked away, her figure silhouetted against the moonlit night.

As he made his way back to Hogwarts, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for the future. The war was over, and they had all come out stronger on the other side. He and Hermione had taken the first step towards something new and beautiful, and he was excited to see where their journey would take them.

Back in his dormitory, Harry lay in bed, staring up at the canopy above. His mind replayed the events of the evening, and he couldn't help but smile. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face it head-on.

Chapter Text

Hi everyone! I have the next chapter of this story mostly finished and ready to be posted after I get it edited this week, but I’m starting to doubt my choice of endgame pairings. It does not seem to be very popular?

Should I reconsider any of the listed pairings and tags for this fic? Please comment if you have any opinions on the path of this story so far! It would be very helpful feedback to me!