Meant to Be

Previously...

Harry 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.

Continued Chapter 2

Harry knew Hermione was not serious but decided to have a little fun with the pretty lady, who was not only one of his best friend but also his ex-girlfriend. They had a sexy-playful demeanor with each other since they were romantically involved. It just seemed second nature to him to be flirtatious with the brown-eyed beauty and she always played along with whatever he dished out. With a mischievous smile, he walked around her, tweaked her arse, and wrapped his arms around her bare mid-drift as he spoke into her ear. "Sure, hun. Just no working with hot grease."

Hermione laughed and hit his naughty hand, which started to tickle her stomach. "I'll keep that in mind. I wanted to redo the bathroom, so I bought some new decorations and border. I'll go do that while you fix the dinner I already had planned. Luckily, I have such a talented chef here to prepare it for me. On tonight's menu: Caesar salad, garlic bread, and homemade lasagna. Everything is in the kitchen and you know where to find me, if you need me. Thanks again for everything, Harry."

She leaned over, kissed him lightly on the cheek, and left the room in the direction of the bathroom.

Harry raised his hand to touch the spot she kissed him. It was a very chaste kiss but any contact she had with his body made his heart start to race. With a sly smile, he went to the kitchen to make the meal. Maybe the way to a girl's heart is through the stomach too. It's a good thing I can cook. One of the very few things, I can thank the Dursleys' for.

He pulled open the refrigerator door in the hunt for the needed ingredients. Meat, cheeses, and eggs were balanced in his arms as he closed the door with his foot. Hermione already had the recipe out of the counter for a reference to the meal and he skimmed over it to make sure he knew what he was doing. Harry located a frying pan under her stove and started the meal. But his hands worked mechanically as his mind started to wonder back to the kiss that changed everything....

~*~*~*~ Memory of the Past *~*~*~*~

"Okay, that's the end of practice for today. Nice work, team," called Ron as he maneuvered toward the middle of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

"Great job, you guys!" Lavender cheered from the stands where she stood next to Hermione.

Ron flew next to Harry and took off the wrist guards. "I think we are on the right track for the first match in two weeks."

Harry wiped the sweat off his brow and surveyed the endless blue sky. The air felt as if it was about to rain at any moment with the clouds that had moved in about an hour before. He nodded in agreement and noticed a certain blonde Slytherin decided to make an appearance in the stands next to Hermione. Harry silently moved behind them to hear what Malfoy was going to say.

Draco's voice was at a low octave. "You won't be so impressed when we win the match."

Hermione and Malfoy didn't notice that Harry was close to them and able to hear what was being said. She turned away from Draco to stare across the field to ignore the Slytherin Prefect. The irritation was evident in her voice, "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

Draco took a step closer to her body and was practically an inch from her. She pushed a loose curl behind her ear and folded her arms across her chest. If he even thinks about touching her, there will not be a drip of that precious 'pureblood' left in his veins.

"Tut tut, Granger. I thought you were smarter than that. One reason is because I am the captain of the Slytherin team and wanted to check out how good your team is or, more to the point is not."

"One of the reasons. What are the rest? Actually, save your breath. I really don't care. Just go away."

Harry noticed Malfoy's fingers twitched as if he was fighting with himself to touch Hermione and had an odd look on his face. "Well, I was also surprised to hear that you're dating a certain boy-wonder."

"Why are you so surprised? I didn't know you cared, Malfoy. But I don't date ferrets."

Draco brought his mouth closer to her ear but spoke loud enough that Harry could hear him. "No, but you'd date weasel if you could. It is obvious which member of the dream team you really prefer. Nice way to treat your boyfriend, who is also your best friend. If you weren't a mudblood, that kind of thinking would make you fit in with us, Slytherins."

No, he did not just say that. Of course, Harry was not stupid. He knew the reason why Hermione asked him out a week before school started was because Ron had asked Lavender out a week before that. But Harry had already considered the possibility of wanting to be more than just friends with Hermione. Plus, he figured dating someone else might help her get over Ron. It was better him than anyone else. But their relationship was none of Malfoy's business.

Harry made his location known and spoke, "Get away from my girlfriend, Malfoy. Don't you have some younger Slytherin to bully around? And I am sure your ugly girlfriend is missing you. Why, I am not sure. But that's her problem."

Draco slowly turned on his heels and faced Harry, who was still on his broom. He smiled and stated, "Thank you for reminding me, Potty. I could almost forget she was your girlfriend. I mean I don't see you sneaking off into hidden corridors or empty classroom to shag; like weasel and his girl."

Ron overheard his lasts comment and joined the gang in the stands on the other side of Hermione. "Shut it, Malfoy. Or I'll shut it for you."

The blonde Slytherin waved his hand in the air in dismissing fashion. If Draco doesn't get of there soon, he'll need more than Madam Pomfrey to save his life.

"No, Malfoy. You don't see us sneaking off." Harry flew right behind Hermione and pulled her backwards to sit her sideways on the broomstick against his body. She gasped in surprise, wrapped her arms around his neck, and held on to him for dear life. With one arm tightly around her waist, his other hand controlled the Firebolt and rose into the air.

Hermione's hair flew wildly around them and he seized her lips with his. He put every bit of the love and passion he felt into that kiss. Her body remained completely still at first and then quickly melted into him like chocolate chips baking inside hot cookie dough. She kissed Harry back with even more heat and more force. He felt her fingers graze through his hair and neck. For a moment, he almost forgot he was on his broom. This was their first kiss and was heavenly, as was the girl he was kissing.

Harry slowed the passionate kisses into more gentle ones. With one last sweet kiss, he leaned back and saw Hermione's cheeks a few shades redder than before they started.

In the stands, everyone's mouths hung open in disbelief and Draco's face almost appeared a normal color compared to his normally pale skin. Harry saw Malfoy's fists were clenched firmly at his sides.

Harry began to speak again. "You don't see us sneaking around because we don't have to. Now, it looks like it is going to rain. So, I am going to take my beautiful girlfriend back to her Head Girl room."

With this statement, Hermione blushed at his last statement and snuggled up against him. Harry couldn't stop smiling as he flew the both of them toward their destination. She felt so right in his arm as if his body belonged against hers. Neither of them spoke as he made his way to her balcony. The Firebolt lowered onto the balcony and he helped her safely off his trusty broomstick.

Hermione walked away from him toward the opposite side and faced away from him as she leaned on the railing. She had not spoken a word she he pulled her onto his broom like a pirate throwing a captured woman onto his shoulder. Shite! Maybe she kissed back only to piss of Malfoy or to make Ron jealous. Well, good job Potter. You got took advantage of your girlfriend, who happens to be your best friend.

Frustrated with the situation, he leaned the broomstick against the wall and ran his hands though his hair. He approached her and felt bad about the whole thing. "Look, Hermione. I am so stupid at times. I am sor..."

His words of apology were cut off as she turned around, grabbed his shirt, and kissed him hard. He groaned against her lips and grasped her hips. His body pushed her against the railing of the balcony. Her hands flat against his torso. Heavy drips of rain began to fall on them. But neither showed any signs of stopping. A hand ran up her back and into her beautiful, curly hair. She leaned back and looked into his eyes. His breaths were heavy from the passion she evoked within him. Her white shirt was completely drenched and he could make out the lace details on her pink bra. He traced her jaw and slightly swollen lips with his slender fingers.

As she looked into his eyes, Hermione remarked, "I think we should get out of the rain, Harry."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

Hermione moved passed him and opened the doors to her bedroom. She walked over to the fireplace and lit a cozy fire in the hearth. Harry took a seat in front of the fire and started to remove his socks and shoes. She stayed about a foot away from him and watched his every movement. He shoved his socks into his shoes and placed them under a nearby chair. When he was finished, he leaned back on his hands and looked up to Hermione.

He was pleasantly surprised to see she had already unbuttoned most of her wet shirt. His body seemed frozen but inside his body started to burn as he watched her fingers slowly undoes tiny white buttons. Her lovely milk-chocolate eyes stayed on him as she worked her way down. His chest started rising and falling faster with the release of each button. He caught a few glimpses on her beautiful skin under her shirt.

Once Hermione finished, the shirt left a two-inch gap that revealed a glimpse of her perfect stomach, the middle of her sexy pink lace bra, and her gold necklace with an 'H' for Hermione. He smiled. It could also stand for Harry.

A shy smile crept on her face as she lowered on to her knees at his right side. She leaned forward a bit to enable her to run her hands through his black silky hair. He raised his hand to stroke her smooth stomach. Her eyes closed the moment his hand made contact on her skin. He took the moment to examine her beautiful waist and how her jeans hit her hips in just the right way. Harry watched her face for any reactions as he moved his hand higher up her belly and to her right breast. When his slim fingers moved along the outside of her bra, a slight moan escaped through her slightly parted lips. The hand slowly continued its way up over her chest, traced along collarbone, and moved into her long brown hair.

Harry placed his other hand on her hip and lowered her body onto the rug in front of the fire. He kissed her soft lips and traveled up to her ear. His body lay halfway on hers and placed his left leg in between hers. Into her ear, he huskily whispered, "Tell me to stop and I will, Hermione. I don't want to rush you. But you look, feel, and taste so good. This seems so right, but it has to be right for you too. "

She nodded and smiled at his erotic statement. His lips wanted to memorize every inch of her neck as his right hand moved off her hip to her breast. The shirt fell open to the side to enable him to have his way with her luscious body as he covered most of her with his lean body. He felt her hands on his broad shoulders and firmly rubbed them through the thin fabric. Then Hermione ran them down his muscular upper arms tortuously slow and back up as if she was memorizing their exact shape and feel.

His tongue ran along her collarbone and gave her breast a slight squeeze. It made her raise her torso into his more. He firmly brought his other hand up the side of her perfect body. I can't get enough of the feel of her against me. I need to feel her silky skin against mine.

Harry lifted his body off hers, even as she whimpered in protest. He sat back on the heels of his feet and started to unbutton his shirt. After the third button, she sat up and finished the rest of the buttons with shaky hands. Hermione pushed the damp shirt off his shoulders and down his strong arms. She brought his wrists up closer to her face as she undid the cuffs. As she leaned over to kiss her way up his arms, he smelled the scent of jasmine in her hair. The rain refreshed the scent of her shampoo. It is just one more thing about her to become addicted to.

With his hands, he turned her around to sit on her heels like him with her back against his chest. He inched forward to be right up against her body. His chin came over her right shoulder and he moved her hair out of the way to place a long kiss on her bare neck. A soft smell of roses as he breathed against her hot skin. She must use rose-scented body soap. I'll have to make sure she also has plenty of that around. Maybe one morning, I'll get to soap her sensational body down in a shower.

Hermione titled her head more to the side to expose more of her neck to his wet kisses. Harry's left arm snaked around her waist and pulled her right against his body. As he kissed down her neck to her shoulders, the white shirt slipped off her right shoulder. The focus of his drawn-out kisses moved to the other side of her neck and other shoulder. The dainty female hands rested on his jean-covered knees where she traced little circles repeatedly.

He leaned back to completely remove her shirt and threw it somewhere behind him. Both hands grazed across her exposed waist and traced along the rim of her jeans. She stretched completely forward, which pressed her perfect arse right up against the already hard bulge in his pants. The erotic sight in front of him made his breath catch deep in his chest.

Hermione pulled her wand off the ground in front of her where she had dropped it. She sat back onto her heels again but brought the wand up to her mouth. The wand stayed in her mouth as she twisted her hair into a French knot. Then she shoved the wand into the knot to keep it in place to keep her long hair out of his way.

Harry showed her a smile of appreciation and she again faced away from him. He returned to his sensual kisses that changed constantly: the kisses varied from light to hard, wet to with tongue, and then a graze of his teeth. While his mouth kept busy, Harry's right hand once again found her breast. The already hard tip pressed though the lacey fabric of her bra. His other hand maneuvered between his chest and her to release the two hooks of the pink barrier. She groaned as his hand moved under the fabric and felt her bare breast for the first time.

Hermione moved the lace straps off her shoulders to be rid of the undergarment. Both of his strong hands cupped most of her gorgeous breasts. She flew the bar a few feet from them with total disregard. His hands skillfully caressed her as she brought a hand into his hair and leaned into him more. Harry had a perfect view of him fondling her chest and small waist. The intensity of his kisses against her neck and caresses of her bosom increased as her breath became more ragged. With the nails of her other hand, she dragged along the fabric of his jeans on the other side of her leg. Words escaped from her in a throaty, hot tone. "Oh, Harry."

Those words from his breathtaking girlfriend pushed him closer to the edge. Her hands crept further up his thigh and tightly grabbed his arse. He felt lightheaded as the heat increased between them. With his hips rhythmically against hers, he passionately spoke, "Oh gods, Hermione."

Hermione's hip instinctively pressed back and matched his movements. He began to suck on the side of her throat to stop him from thanking her parents, the muses, and anything else that helped in creation of the goddess in front of him.

Her actions suddenly stopped and she seemed to be trying to get her breathing under control. Harry released her neck and noticed a few specks of red where he almost drew blood. His head rested against his girlfriend's shoulder as he tried to gain control of his own raging body. I am going to need a good long cold shower tonight.

In a soft worried voice, she finally spoke, "Harry, I don't know if I am ready for any more."

He placed a protective arm around her waist. "I understand, darling. We don't have to do anything else tonight. We will continue these actions of love when you are ready and when it is meant to be."

Hermione sighed and leaned back and rested with him tight against her body. She spoke, "Thank you for being so understanding."

"Well, I think that it is listed on the requirements for being a boyfriend. Or at least a good one," said Harry as he released her pretty brown hair from the knot and weave his fingers through the soft layers.

He felt Hermione shake her head in an agreement. I consider myself very lucky just to be able to call her my girlfriend. I am not going to blow my chance with her by pushing her past her comfort zone. It will happen when it is meant to be.

He felt wet drips fall on his arm as he held her. Harry tilted her head to face him and saw a line of tears on her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb. "Why are you crying, Hermione?"

"I just feel bad. Part of me wants to make love to you tonight but there is another part that is just not sure. I felt I lead you on and let you down. "

"You stop that thinking, right now. First of all, you did not lead me on. I told you to stop when you didn't feel comfortable. Secondly, I don't want you to regret when we make love. I want it to be special and it will be. Yes, I am very turned on by you and your delicious body. But that satisfaction will be worth the wait. I am happy to be here in your arms. The fact you're topless is an added benefit. You are absolutely beautiful, sweets. I want you to feel comfortable in our relationship. We just had our first kiss an hour ago. I am not going to hex you because it did not lead to more. I had no expectations in this relationship but to hopefully make you happy. Are you happy, Miss Hermione Jane Granger?"

"The happiest I have ever been, Mr. Harry James Potter."

"Then my job is satisfied for the time being. Now, I want to hold you a little longer before you get dressed; if that is okay with you?"

"I'd love it. I enjoy seeing you shirtless and feeling your skin against mine," stated Hermione as she pulled his head towards her for a kiss full of love and promises of what is to come.

~*~*~*~ Back to the Present *~*~*~*~

Harry set down two white porcelain bowls on the dining room table. The metal pan of lasagna was cooling on the counter that divided the dining room from the kitchen. He dished out a serving onto both of their plates as Hermione took her seat across from his place at the table. She appeared a little sweaty for the work in the bathroom. Even with her bangs matted against her forehead from the sweat, she was still beautiful in his eyes and she would always be. The table was set with a single white candle separating their places. He did not want to over do it and decided against music. Tonight, Harry did not come to Hermione's apartment tonight to seduce her but to help her to feel happy and comfortable in any way he could.