Meant to Be

Chapter One ~ Visitors

"Harry, come in," said Hermione as she opened her apartment door for her best friend, Harry Potter. Harry was dressed in a comfy pair of blue jeans with a blue cotton tee shirt and a backpack on his shoulder. A smile crept on his lips at the very sight of her.

"Thanks." He walked into the large living room and dropped his navy backpack on her overstuffed couch with a soft thump. Harry had been to her apartment many, many times over the years. Recently, it became hers and hers alone with the departure of her ex.

She raised her eyebrows at the sight of his much-filled backpack and asked, "I wasn't supposed to be expecting you. Was I?"

Harry smiled as he checked out her current attire. Hermione was decked out in a 'cleaning house' outfit. Her luscious brown curls where pulled back in a tight ponytail. The short black jean shorts appeared to have dust on them but still displayed her perfect long legs and her shirt was a well-worn Gryffindor jersey that hit her curves just right. In fact, it was his old jersey and she tied it in a knot at her waist, which showed off her sexy stomach. She always did look cute in my clothes.

Harry took a seat next to his large, stuff bag and unzipped the first compartment. "No, you were not expecting me. And please don't change on my account." Suddenly conscious of her appearance, she pushed a few stray hairs behind her ears and brushed off the dust off her shorts. Harry shook his head and said, "Hun, you look beautiful."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and threw him a doubtful look. "You're biased."

"Damn straight. But it's still the truth. So, where should I put my stuff?"

"Stuff? What stuff?" Hermione questioned as she stood by the couch next to him. He smelled the mixture of jasmine, roses, and lemons. The lemon must've been from her cleaning product because the combination of the flowers was Hermione's preferred scent.

With a mischievous wink, he stated, "My overnight bag."

A pleasant smile crept on her lips and her hand rested on his shoulder. "You're spending the night?"

"Yep, tonight," Harry continued as he dug into his bag, "you and I are having a sleepover. Doesn't this couch pull out into a bed? Anyway, I brought some DVDs, popcorn, chocolate, card games, and I remembered to shrink my favorite pillow." He pulled out a small version of a maroon color pillow the size of a quill with a proud smile.

Hermione took the little pillow out of his hands, appeared to examine it, and then hit him with it on the back of the head. With a chuckle in her voice, Hermione spoke, "Yes, the couch does pull out. But why have you declared a sleepover?"

Harry's face became serious as he stood up and placed his hands on her fore arms. "I remembered what today is. I figured you could use a close friend and some distractions. I consider myself good at both, my lady."

"That's a sweet thought but isn't necessary. I am not in the mood to entertain and I already have a to-do list to keep me distracted."

He shook his head. "No, it is necessary. Look, today would've been your fifth anniversary and it is the first anniversary since your divorce from Ron. You need company today. I am here to serve you, madam. I can cook, clean, run the sweeper, iron, and even make it through a girly movie without complaining."

"Really? Can you do all that shirtless too?" Hermione laughed and hugged her best friend.