Coming of Age

Set in the Trio's Sixth Year at Hogwarts.

COMING OF AGE

Chapter Three

by Lady Jane

He raised his head and looked at her. He couldn't find his voice but he looked right into her eyes. His heart was in his eyes. He put every feeling he had for her into that look; he didn't blink, his gaze didn't waver.

It was fascinating to watch the shift in her eyes - from the excited friend waiting for some gossip to puzzlement, then to wondering "what the hell?", moving past "you must be kidding!" and on to "oh shit!" and finally arriving at the words, whispered, her voice shocked and stunned: 'It's me?'

His answer was his unwavering, love filled gaze.

There was a kind of awe in her voice. 'Oh, Harry...' her voice trailed off.

Still his gaze remained on her. A slow blush crept up her cheeks. Her eyes dropped to the table top.

Harry didn't think he'd ever seen her looking quite so lovely: softly blushing cheeks with dark lashes fanned out on them; then those gorgeous brown eyes were once more looking at him, full of - what? He was afraid to analyse it. More afraid than he'd felt of anything.

'What did you want to ask me?' she whispered.

Harry shook his head slightly, his eyes still not leaving her

'I can't remember.' His voice was husky and low.

He saw Hermione shiver slightly. Was shivering good? he wondered.

Then it came back to him. He swallowed. 'Oh, yeah, that's right. Hermione, I just have to tell you that I really, really like you and I'd like to be your partner at your birthday party. I mean if you don't mind, if that's all right...'

Harry wished Colin Creevey was hanging around because he would have dearly loved a photograph of Hermione showing the play of expressions that were dancing across her lovely face: There was surprise and amazement, then a look as though she'd been given everything she'd ever dreamt of; then she looked incredibly happy and on top of all of that, there was a real twinkle in her eyes as though she had a secret that was the best secret. But the greatest thing of all was that she was smiling. At him. Harry smiled back.

'Well?' he asked softly, feeling inexplicably hopeful.

'Yes.' It was hardly more than a whisper but it was the most beautiful sound Harry had ever heard.

'Wow,' he said, putting his hand across the table, palm up, inviting her to put her hand in his.

She let go of the edge of the table and gently laid her hand on his open palm, watching as his fingers curled around hers.

'Wow,' she repeated, looking at him once more, her eyes shining.

They hadn't noticed Ron who was kneeling, his chin on his arms as he rested them on the back of the lounge, watching his two best friends taking part in an age-old courting dance. Actually doesn't look THAT bad, he thought, smiling them. Makes them look pretty bloody goofy though!

'So, why did Ron say you were jealous?' asked Hermione breathlessly.

Harry chuckled. 'Because I was. Of Andrew. You were flirting with him!'

'And you didn't like that?'

Harry frowned. 'Not at all. I was furious, actually.'

Hermione gently squeezed his hand. 'It didn't mean anything. Andrew's really nice. It's sort of safe to flirt with him.'

'Not any more, it's not,' said Harry, the intense look in his eyes sending a delicious shiver down Hermione's back.

'And did you arrange to meet him for lunch?' To Harry's everlasting relief, Hermione shook her head.

'Not really. I mean we usually see him there, it was just that, really.'

'I'm glad! Listen, Hermione, we need to talk.'

Hermione nodded in agreement. 'Why don't we-'

'Oy! You two!'

Both of them turned and looked at Ron.

'Ron! You were watching!' accused Harry.

'Wouldn't've missed it for the world mate! And let me say, it's about bloody time you put us all out of our misery!'

Hermione laughed until Ron said, 'So, Hermione, you must have noticed Mr Moping-Around-After-You lately? He's been acting like a total prat!'

'No comment,' was all she said.

Harry shot her a puzzled look and she smiled at him, that twinkle in her eye even more evident. 'Let's go have our talk,' she told him.

They stood up, and without letting go of their hands, said goodbye to Ron who smiled and rolled his eyes, then waved them off.

Harry wouldn't have believed it was possible to feel THIS bloody brilliant. It was in direct contrast to the misery, jealousy, uncertainty, hopelessness and all the other feelings brought about by suffering what he'd believed to be unrequited love. He smiled down at Hermione. He felt as though he was floating - he felt so light! He couldn't believe it, not really. Hermione seemed to like him, too. He didn't know how it was possible but he didn't really care, as long as she didn't stop. And he never wanted to let go of her hand - it sent the most wonderful tingling sensations throughout his whole body.

As one, they headed outdoors without even discussing it. It was a beautiful day, a hint of summer left over in the September air as their feet carried them towards the lake, stopping when they reached the tree they usually sat under while revising or doing some homework or just relaxing. Always before there had been three of them. This was the first time it was only the two of them.

Harry sat with his back against the tree, Hermione sat beside him, their legs stretched out in front of them, their clasped hands resting on Harry's thigh.

'Harry-'

'Hermione-'

They both laughed.

'You go first,' said Hermione.

'You sure?' asked Harry and she nodded.

'Well...' Harry stopped and pondered. When had it started? How had it happened? He couldn't remember exactly, he just knew that he'd missed her terribly for the few short weeks they were all apart, more so than he did Ron and actually, to be honest, he didn't really remember thinking of Ron at all. Then when they'd met up in Diagon Alley it had hit him like the proverbial bomb. At first he didn't recognise the gut-wrenching feeling that tore through him at the first sight of her, didn't know why he just wanted to grab her and hug her for all he was worth and he sure as hell didn't understand what he was doing feeling a desperate desire to kiss her for Merlin's sake! Then she'd run up to him as she always did, calling his name, throwing her arms around his neck, a deliciously, soft and fragrant bundle in his arms that he didn't ever want to let go. And as she pulled back and smiled up at him, asking him how he was, the penny dropped with a huge, resounding clang! He wanted her - wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to touch her; he wanted her! He knew he must've made a reasonable stab at saying something normal at the time because she smiled again and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards Flourish and Blotts, calling to Ron to join them.

'Harry?'

Harry shook himself out of his reverie and smiled at her. Then he did his best to explain what had happened to him that day in Diagon Alley when he began to realise how he felt about her.

When he finished, Hermione turned to face Harry, shifting so that she was sitting with her feet beneath her, leaning forwards slightly to run her fingers through his hair then when her hands reached the back of his neck she clasped them. Harry noticed her eyes seemed to be glistening. Was she going to cry? he wondered, fearing he wouldn't be able to cope with a crying Hermione any better than he'd coped with a crying Cho. Then she smiled a small smile. And next thing Harry knew, her lips were settling gently on his, sending all reason and thought out the window. If he thought he'd felt bloody brilliant before, how he felt being kissed by Hermione was off the scale! His arms automatically went around her, pulling her over so that she ended up half lying across his lap, her legs still curled sideways.

When she leant back, Harry felt as though someone had plunged him into ice water as all warmth seemed to vanish from his body. 'No, don't stop...' he whispered, tightening his hold on her.

'Harry, I have to have my turn, don't forget,' she told him, happiness and amusement both evident in her rather breathless voice.

Harry didn't really think it was necessary she have it right now but if she wanted to - well, what Hermione wanted, Hermione would have, so he smiled and nodded, hoping she'd be quick...

She made herself comfortable, lying down at right angles to him, her head in his lap. She clasped her hands on her stomach, Harry putting his own hand on top of hers. His free hand found itself gently playing with her hair as he looked down at her, waiting.

And then she told him. She confessed. She said she'd realised during the holidays before their fifth year that she'd somehow moved from seeing him as Harry-my-friend to wanting him as Harry-my-boyfriend. Harry felt a lovely warmth suffuse his whole body at her words - they were music to his ears!

She then went on to explain that because she knew he didn't feel the same way just yet, she managed to maintain her usual manner with him, mostly without any great difficulty, although sometimes feeling a little forlorn and hopeless about it all. But that no longer mattered, because when she saw him again in Diagon Alley she knew he was beginning to see her differently just from the way he'd looked at her when they first saw each other. And that, she confessed, was when she knew that everything had changed and would never be the same again and she'd felt as though she was going to explode with happiness!

'You knew?' Harry couldn't help interrupting.

Hermione chuckled. 'Oh, Harry! You should've seen the look on your face! It was a classic! It was all I could do to NOT kiss you right there and then!'

Harry groaned. 'I wish you had!'

'No, it would've been too soon. But after that I kept a close eye on you and I can tell you now that it was just wonderful to see you realise a little more each day. I knew you were always watching me. I have to admit I loved every minute! I feel a little silly now telling you that I sort of knew how you felt, but I didn't want to force anything so I just pretended everything was pretty much the same as it had always been. I suppose I was waiting for you to catch up. I hope you don't think I was being awful, sort of pretending I didn't know and-'

'I forgive you, just! Even though all this time I was miserable!' cried Harry.

Hermione laughed. 'Miserable? For what? A couple of weeks? Try it for a year!'

Harry groaned. 'All right, you win! Have you finished? Can I kiss you now?'

'Yes, I know, yes I have and yes please!'

Putting his arms around her, Harry pulled her up as Hermione wrapped her arms around him. Then he pulled her tightly to him, covering her mouth with his, fire surging through him this time at the feel of her lips beneath his and the incredible sensations caused by having her breasts pressed against his chest. He put one of his hands around the back of her neck because he didn't want her to be able to pull away - he didn't want this to end. But even The-Boy-Who-Lived needs to breathe and he eventually, though reluctantly, had to release her. Harry brought his knees up so that she could rest on them, keeping one hand on the back of her neck, his other resting on her waist, her hands on top of his. She smiled at him, her eyes shining. 'Well that,' she said, 'was definitely worth waiting for!'

His expression became serious, his eyes searching her face.

'Hermione, this is real, isn't it? I'm not going to wake up and find out I'm dreaming or something, am I?'

'Absolutely not, Harry! Although I know what you mean about dreaming. I feel as though I'm dreaming, too!'

'Then I hope we never wake up!' said Harry, laughing again.

As he looked down at her, he realised her eyes were shining with unshed tears once more.

'Hermione! What's wrong?'

'Harry,' her voice was a mere whisper, 'you have no idea how happy I am right now. How unbelievable it is to reach a day you only ever dreamed of and to find that when you do reach it, the reality is so, so much better than your dream. It's overwhelming!'

'Harry! Hermione!'

Harry groaned and Hermione found she had to laugh at the exasperated expression on Harry's face.

Ron had appeared in front of them and seeing the looks on their faces, put his hands on his hips and scowled at them. 'Hey! I gave you half an hour's head start! Don't look at me like that!'

'Sorry mate, seems like five minutes, not half an hour!' apologised Harry, laughing, as he stood up, holding out his hand to help Hermione up.

'Thanks for the head start,' said Hermione with a smile. She looked at Harry and knew he was thinking what she was thinking: they would probably never have noticed the time and would've stayed there until it got dark if Ron hadn't turned up!

'You're welcome,' said Ron, smiling smugly; he rather felt as though he'd been the one to "push them over the edge" and was rather proud of himself at that moment.

As they walked back to the castle, Ron gave up trying to hold any sort of conversation with either of his two friends. They couldn't seem to take their eyes off each other and they certainly hadn't stopped smiling since he'd gone to get them. But seeing them like this gave him an idea. He, too, then had a smile on his face as they all headed to the Great Hall for lunch; he really had a lot to be proud of today.

As they sat down, Hermione in the middle with Harry on her left, Ron made his announcement.

Piling food on his plate as usual, he told them HE would organise the party - that Harry needn't worry about it, he would do everything. This managed to wipe the smiles off both Harry and Hermione's faces.

'Um, Ron, don't you think that you're going to need some help?' asked Hermione nervously.

Ron, his mouth full, shook his head vigorously.

'Mate, listen - two of us doing this will make it a lot easier-' began Harry. But Ron had managed to swallow his mouthful and cut in, 'Nope. Just me. Not negotiable. I have an idea. Everything will be fine. Trust me.'

Harry and Hermione looked at each other. They each saw terror in the other's eyes.

Ron watched them and made a sound of disgust.

'I know what you're thinking! "Ron can't do this, Ron'll mess it up, it'll be a disaster of massive proportions if Ron does it!" Well, let me just say this: I know exactly what I'm doing and I'm gonna do it.'

Harry looked at Hermione helplessly and shrugged. Hermione opened her mouth to say something but it wouldn't come out.

Ron took their silence as acquiescence.

'So that's settled then? Good!' and he put his laden fork in his mouth and smiled triumphantly at them.

After lunch, Hermione said she needed to go to the library and of course Harry wanted to go with her.

'Are you nuts?' exclaimed Ron when they asked if he wanted to come. 'Why the heck would I want to go there when I don't have to? Besides, I have a party to organise.' He gave them a happy smile and headed off to who knew where.

Hermione had actually counted on Ron not wanting to come to the library and told Harry so as they walked along, once again holding hands.

'You mean you deliberately picked the library so Ron wouldn't come?'

'Of course. So we can be alone.'

'In the library?'

'In the library.'

'As long as the only thing you research is me,' he told her firmly.

As it turned out, Hermione led him to the one window seat in the whole library. It was right at the back, at the end of a particularly boring and rarely used aisle of books. There were only a few dedicated, studious students present in other parts of the library and they all had their noses well and truly buried in the books of their choice. Not one gave Harry and Hermione a second glance.

'No wonder no one comes down here,' commented Harry. 'Look at some of these books, will you! "The Latest Wand Movements, 1624" and oh Merlin - get a load of this one: "A Wizard's Guide to Wand Polishing"! Which wand are they talking about?'

'Harry!' exclaimed Hermione, swatting him on the arm.

Harry laughed as he sat down, pulling Hermione onto his lap. 'Your fault,' he told her. 'I can tell you now that I've been thinking things about you the last few weeks that would curl your toes!'

'So that's what's been wrong with my toes! I wondered...'

Hermione's arms slid around Harry's neck and they smiled happily at each other.

'Harry-'

'Hermione-'

They both laughed. 'You go first this time,' Harry told her.

Hermione leant forward and touched her forehead to Harry's. She spoke softly. 'Harry, you have no idea how amazing this is - how absolutely incredible I feel - I still feel as though I'm dreaming! To have you feel the same about me as I do about you is - well, there's nothing else I need.'

Harry decided actions spoke louder than words at times like this and so he kissed her. 'Me either,' he said when they finally parted.

That evening, the three of them were once again sitting before the common room fireplace, Hermione at one end of the large, comfy sofa, Harry lying down with his head in her lap, Ron at the other end, his hands behind his head. Crookshanks was curled up contentedly on the hearth. Harry and Hermione had asked Ron how the party plans were coming along and their only answer had been a smugly mysterious smile from Ron and a shake of his head. 'You'll see,' was all he'd tell them.

******** ******** ******** ******** ******** ********

Nearly two weeks later, the night before her party, Hermione realised she'd been so wrapped up in Harry she hadn't given her party much thought at all. As long as Harry was there, she didn't care about the rest! Ron had told them at breakfast that morning to be in the Room of Requirement at eight o'clock that evening and so after dinner, they'd gone back to their dormitories, Hermione to get changed, Harry to do likewise and to retrieve the presents he was giving her, shrinking them with a wave of his wand and putting them in his pocket. Naturally, he was a lot quicker than Hermione and he went down to wait in the common room for her, settling himself in front of the fireplace, Crookshanks lying at his feet. When Hermione came down the stairs a little while later, Harry stood slowly, a smile lighting up his face, his green eyes glowing.

'Wow!' he exclaimed

Hermione smiled, actually looking a little shy. She was wearing a dress; it was a soft cinnamon brown with a fine gold thread throughout it. It had a low, draped, scooped neckline and was sleeveless. It fitted her nicely but not too tightly, ending just above the knee. She'd pulled her hair up and twisted it into a loose chignon at the back of her neck.

'You look pretty wow yourself,' Hermione told him, her eyes gleaming with appreciation.

Harry was wearing a new pair of black jeans and a deep green shirt.

They walked hand in hand towards the Room of Requirement, Harry opening the door for her when they arrived.

They were greeted by Dobby as they walked in, bowing so deeply his nose touched the floor.

'Dobby is most honoured to welcome Harry Potter and his My-knee to a special birthday celebration organised by Harry Potter's Wheezy.'

Harry suppressed a burst of laughter while Hermione looked aghast, whispering, '"My-knee?" I'll have to teach him the proper pronunciation!'

Harry couldn't help himself. 'Oh no you don't! This is even better than Victor Krum's mangled version of your name!' causing Hermione to roll her eyes at him.

They looked around and noticed that although the room was decorated in the manner of a party - balloons, streamers, a lot of armchairs and large, soft floor cushions everywhere and of course, a table laden with party food - well, groaning actually, because house elves (and Dobby in particular) just couldn't help themselves when it came to supplying food - there was no one else there.

'But where is everyone else?' asked Hermione, dismayed, when she realised the room was empty except for the three of them.

Dobby looked worried. 'There is no one else, Harry Potter's My-knee. Harry Potter's Wheezy said it would just be Harry Potter and his My-knee.' Dobby was visibly concerned and working himself up into a real state.

Harry recognised the direction he was heading in and to head him off and prevent him from trying to brain himself on the closest hard surface he quickly assured Dobby that it was just the two of them and he'd done a wonderful - no, fabulous job - and the food was great and he and his - My-knee - were very, very impressed.

Looking a little mollified by Harry's words, Dobby told them that Ron would wait up and see them back in the Gryffindor common room later. And, oh yes, he'd asked if they would take him back some leftovers, then he bowed and backed out of the room, leaving them alone with stunned expressions on their faces and enough food to feed every single Gryffindor for a week. Turning to each other after Dobby had exited, they started laughing again.

'That Ron! "I've got an idea, trust me" he said,' gasped Harry.

'He didn't organise a thing! Not one single thing!' said Hermione, laughing despite her indignation.

'He just left the food order standing that he and I'd put in and then simply didn't tell anyone else about the party! So much for organisation!'

Hermione sat down on a nearby chair to save herself from falling down as she'd begun to laugh so hard and Harry joined her - the realisation of Ron's complicity hitting them.

'You know what, though?' gasped Hermione. 'It was actually rather clever of him to think of doing nothing! Only Ron would do that!'

As their laughter subsided and they wiped the tears of mirth from their eyes it dawned on them: they were alone.

As their expressions slowly became serious, they looked intently at each other.

Harry stood up and taking Hermione's hands in his, pulled her gently to her feet, slipping his arms around her, burying his face in her hair.

'Happy birthday,' he murmured, 'My-knee...'

Hermione, at first melting into him, stiffened and pulled back, looking at him with great indignation.

'Do not,' she said, leaning back and glaring at him, ever call me "My-knee" again! Dobby has an excuse, he comes with a built in house-elf speech impediment - you do not!'

Harry grinned at her. 'Sorry Hermione, I couldn't resist!' His arms were still securely fastened about her waist and Hermione's hands, which had come to rest on his chest as she'd admonished him, now slid around his neck once more as she shook her head at him. 'You always do me in with that smile of yours!'

'Everything about you does me in,' replied Harry, dropping his head to kiss her again.

'This is the best birthday I've ever had!' said Hermione happily a few minutes later.

'I nearly forgot!' exclaimed Harry, plunging a hand into his pocket and taking out the presents, returning them to their proper size with a quick wave of his wand before handing them to Hermione.

'Let's go sit down,' she said, leading Harry to a nearby armchair.

'Open this one first,' Harry instructed, pointing to the lumpier one.

Hermione's eyes lit up when she held up a beautiful gold hairbrush and comb set, each with an "H" engraved on them. 'Harry! They're beautiful!'

'Like you,' he said smiling at her. 'Now the other one.' Hermione pulled the wrapping off.

'Oh, Harry! How did you - '

'Colin took it. We didn't even notice him, which doesn't surprise me considering how preoccupied we were at the time.'

Hermione held up a framed photograph. It showed the two of them sitting under the tree by the lake the day they'd told one another how they felt. Photo-Hermione was lying with her head in photo-Harry's lap, he was playing with her hair as they looked at each other, then photo-Harry lifted photo-Hermione up and kissed her.

Hermione sighed. 'One of our first kisses - how romantic!'

Harry gently laid the presents on the floor and pulled Hermione back into his arms. 'The first of many,' he told her, his voice low.

******** ******** ******** ******** ******** ********

In the Gryffindor common room a tall red-headed boy was stretched out on the sofa before the fire, his arms behind his head. A large, ginger cat with a squashed in face sat close by, looking intently at the figure on the sofa.

'What?' said the tall red-head, frowning at the cat.

The cat said nothing, just continued looking at him.

'I don't know why they're so late so don't look at me like that! Well, yeah, I do know why they're so late, but it's none of our business, so just go clean your paws or something.'

The cat looked as though it may be considering this information whilst ignoring the rather ignominious command at the end.

'All right, I'm sorry about the paw cleaning thing. I guess it's just you and me for now, isn't it?'

The cat obviously agreed because it jumped up and after circling a few times, settled itself near the red-head's feet, its tail curling lazily around it.

The red-head sighed. 'I guess it could be just you and me more often, now, what d'you think?' He sighed again. 'I don't think I really want to picture what they're up to. But I bet it's not eating. I bet they won't even so much as look at all that food.' A last, heartfelt sigh. 'And I have a horrible feeling they'll forget my leftovers, too.'

FINIS!