Joyful Girl

I do it for the joy it brings-

Because I'm a joyful girl-

Because the world owes me nothing-

And we owe each other the world...

Tucking a lock of brown hair behind her ear, Hermione Granger read her book, Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn, a Muggle historical romance author. Her chocolate-brown eyes didn't seem to notice the amused glances being thrown her way by Harry Potter and their best friend, Ron Weasley, as she grinned and giggled at something they couldn't see.

A few minutes later, the sixteen-year-old girl closed the book and stretched, not seeing the admiring peeks some of the young men threw her way. She had grown into an attractive young woman with russet curls to her waist and bright, intelligent eyes. She was petite and had womanly curves envied by most of her female classmates.

She had no idea of course being that she was the girlfriend of Harry Potter.

I do it because it's the least I can do-

I do it because I learned it from you-

I do it just because I want to-

Because I want to...

Smiling at Harry, who winked at her with sparkling emerald eyes, Hermione went upstairs to her private room and collapsed onto the bed, yawning loudly. She smiled as she heard the door open and said, "I'm so tired..." before closing her eyes.

Harry's chuckle warmed her and she felt him lie down next to her, his arms wrapping around her tightly. They had been sleeping in the same bed for almost two years, since Harry's nightmares hadn't lessened; Dumbledore had suggested that perhaps Hermione could help. With his approval, the two had been given a private room.

Everything I do is judged-

And they mostly get it wrong-

But oh well...

Yawning again, Hermione listened to Harry's heartbeat and felt herself drift off to sleep.

The next morning, Hermione hurried to her Arithmancy class, ignoring the whispers surrounding her. Being a Muggle born witch, she wasn't without the rumors that she had tricked Harry into falling in love with her. Hermione had heard them all; down to the one where Harry was actually in love with Ron and was merely using her as a cover-up.

Sighing, she entered the classroom and sat down at her seat, ignoring the words that drifted her way...

"She is so incredibly disgusting. I swear, selling herself like that to Harry..."

"Oh I know! Can you believe Hannah Abbot from Hufflepuff said she heard that they even have their own room?"

"Disgraceful!"

"Quite."

'Cause the bathroom mirror has not budged-

And the woman who lives there can tell-

The truth from the stuff that they say...

Hermione tilted her chin, ignoring the pain in her chest. She didn´t give a bloody farthing what the other students said. She loved Harry and he loved her. No matter what happened, she wouldn't let anyone stop them from being happy.

After the class, she dashed over to the Divination tower, smiling as she saw the annoyance written on Harry's handsome face. "What did that twit have to say now?" she asked gently.

Harry snorted. "The Grim is in my future."

And she looks me in the eye-

And says would you prefer the easy way?

No, well OK then-

Don't cry...

She sighed as she rounded the corner and came face to face with Cho Chang. Inwardly, Hermione groaned and outwardly, said politely, "Hello Cho. I can't talk now..."

"Oh, of course you can't talk," Cho sneered. "Not Harry Potter's girlfriend. I am beneath her after all." Hermione raised an eyebrow, thinking briefly, < Strange girl... > as she replied easily with, "If that's how you feel. Pardon me."

She sidestepped the other girl and continued on her way.

And I wonder if everything I do-

I do instead-

Of something I want to do more...

She watched Harry with quiet eyes as he played chess, growling as Ron beat him again for the fifteenth time in the last thirty minutes. He was so beautiful, she smiled, his innocence and naivety was such a charming combination. His good heart was also what had captured her and made her fall in love.

It was never because he was famous. She knew that was what people thought but Harry and Ron knew the truth. She didn't care about his status she cared about who he was.

The question fills my head-

I know that there's no grand plan here-

This is just the way it goes-

And when everything else seems unclear...

She yawned as Harry came out of their bathroom and said, "Cho bothered you again?" Hermione made a face at him and said, "Bloody snob. She is so incredibly self-righteous. What did you see in her Harry? I mean, honestly!"

"Well, there was the whole fact I had raging hormones," he said dryly. "Plus, I was fourteen!" She grinned at him cheekily and asked, "Do I make your hormones rage Harry?"

He grinned mischievously. "Oh Hermione. Believe me you do," he said as he lunged at her and proceeded to tickle her mercilessly. Hermione shrieked with laughter and rolled around, trying to get free as Harry's fingers found all her ticklish spots.

This was why, she thought later as Harry slept peacefully beside her, arms snug around her waist. She loved Harry because he made her feel beautiful, made her feel good about who she was...

So damn the people.

Damn everyone else.

At least she and Harry knew the truth.

I guess at least I know-

I do it for the joy it brings...

~ FIN ~