Sweetest Sin

Chapter 11

Several months had passed and soon it was almost time for Christmas. Shortly before Christmas break, Hermione and Harry were walking out of the Great Hall when they saw a sign posted for a Hogsmeade visit. They quickly signed up and then hurried back to the common room to tell Lily and Ron. When they climbed through the portrait hole they spotted Lily and Ron lying on the couch together. Ron had his arm around her and Lily was resting her head on his shoulder. They stopped talking when Harry and Hermione entered and Harry said, "There's a Hogsmeade visit tomorrow, are you two going to go?"

Lily's face lit up. "I've heard about Hogsmeade! I am definitely going, are you going, Ron?"

Ron nodded. "Definitely! Let's go sign up right now, Lily."

They stood up and exited the common room and Harry said, "I can't wait for tomorrow to come!"

*The next day*

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lily waited in the entrance hall to leave for Hogsmeade. The hall slowly started filling with students and they walked outside on the snow covered grounds.

Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled. She was wearing a pale pink knit cap and a pale pink scarf, Mrs. Weasley had made all her children plus Hermione, Harry, and Lily one. Her eyes were twinkling with excitement as she turned and caught Harry looking at her. She smiled at him and he said, "You look really beautiful today, Hermione."

Hermione's cheeks flushed pink and she gave him a quick peck. Ron was wearing a maroon scarf and Lily was wearing a royal purple one. Harry wrapped his green one more tightly around his neck, smiling at everybody.

The foursome climbed into a carriage and soon they were on their way to Hogsmeade. Lily was grinning excitedly and Harry leaned forward to whisper to Ron, "Hey, when we first get there, I wanna be alone with Hermione for a bit, can we meet up with you in the Three Broomsticks later?"

Ron nodded and they both leaned back in their seats. Within minutes they had arrived at Hogsmeade and Lily quickly climbed out of the carriage. "Oh, it's so wonderful!"

Ron grinned and took her hand, looking back at Harry and Hermione. "We'll meet up with you two in a little bit, okay?"

Hermione looked confused but said, "Okay." Harry just nodded at them.

Harry slipped his arm around Hermione's shoulders. She smiled up at him as she put her arm around his waist. They walked through the village, glancing in shop windows. Harry noticed a new store opening that looked like some sort of Muggle piercing parlor. Harry started walking towards the woods and after walking into the trees for just a minute they came to a clearing where there was a large boulder sitting in the middle of it. Hermione went and sat on the boulder and Harry followed her. He stood in between her legs and gave her a gentle kiss and then said, "Hermione, there's something I want to tell you."

He paused for a long moment and Hermione could tell it was something serious. "Yes, Harry?"

He took in a deep breath and then jumped as a snowflake hit him on the nose. They both looked up to the sky as the snow began to fall faster all around them. Hermione smiled and then looked back at Harry. Harry gently took Hermione's face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. He said softly, "I wanted to say, I love you, Hermione Elizabeth Granger."

Hermione's eyes grew wide and Harry saw her eyes tearing up a little bit. She gave him a watery smile and said, "I love you too, Harry."

Harry gave Hermione a big smile and leaned in for a long kiss. When he pulled back, he reached inside of his coat and pulled out a perfect red rose. A few snowflakes landed on it, bright white against the blood red of the petals. Hermione smiled and brought the flower to her nose, smelling it's sweet scent. Harry watched her and she looked up at him. He leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Want to go meet up with Ron and Lily in the Three Broomsticks?"

Hermione nodded and slid off the boulder and began walking with Harry out of the woods. When they reached the edge of the trees Hermione turned to Harry. "Harry, there's something I want to ask you."

Harry just looked at her questioningly and Hermione continued, "I was wondering, would you come home with me for Christmas Eve? Ya know, spend some time with my extended family, so they could get to know you. And then we can come back to school for Christmas day with Ron and Lily. If you aren't comfortable I understand, but I wanted to ask."

Harry gave her a smile and said, "I would absolutely love to, Hermione."

Hermione's face broke into a grin and she gave Harry a hug. "Oh, that's wonderful!"

Harry lifted her off the ground and spun her in a circle and Hermione's laughter rang in his ears. They walked quickly to the Three Broomsticks and Ron waved at them from a booth. Harry and Hermione hurried over and slid into the booth across from Ron and Lily. Harry looked over at Hermione and then said to Ron and Lily. "Well, I'm going to be going with Hermione to her parents for Christmas. Well, Christmas Eve anyways, Hermione and I will be back Christmas day to be with you two."

Ron raised his eyebrows and Lily just nodded and said, "Sounds like a plan, we can open gifts together Christmas day."

Hermione nodded and soon they were laughing and drinking butterbeer. All too soon, it was time to head back to school. They headed back to the carriages in silence and Harry ran his hand over the back of the thestral as they passed. Hermione tried to squeeze Harry's hand but he pulled it away. "Give me a second, Hermione."

She nodded and climbed into the carriage and Harry stared at the thestral solemnly. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He opened his eyes and then climbed into the carriage. Hermione was staring at him with a serious look on her face. Harry offered her a smile and said, "Don't worry about it, Hermione. Just have to...pay my respects, so to speak."

Hermione nodded and they soon arrived back at school. Harry went straight up to Gryffindor Tower to pack a small bag to take to Hermione's house. He brought it down to the common room to collect a few of his belongings that were scattered about. As he was shoving them into his bag, he felt a pair of arms go around his stomach. He stopped packing his bag and put his hand over Hermione's. He glanced over his shoulder at her and she smiled at him. Harry turned to face Hermione and leaned in to give her a quick kiss. Hermione looked up at him and said, "Are you really okay with going to meet my family?"

Harry nodded. "We might as well get it out of the way, it's not like you're going to have to meet my family."

Hermione's smile quickly faded from her face. "Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't think about how you'd feel spending time getting to know my parents and all that when..."

Harry gave her a slightly sad smile. "When I don't have any of my own?"

Without waiting for her to respond, he headed towards the boys dormitories. Hermione called after him, "Harry, wait!"

Harry replied over his shoulder, "Hermione, I just need to be alone right now."

He slowly climbed the stairs up to his dormitory and sat down near the window. He ran his hands through his hair and looked out the window. He wished so desperately that he had a family, a real family to bring Hermione home to. Harry pulled out the photo album Hagrid had given him and began thumbing through the familiar pictures. He gently touched each of them, feeling his heart ache at the thought of his parents and godfather. He missed them so much. It hit him so hard this time of the year, when everyone was spending time with their families.

Harry pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them. He leaned his forehead against his arms and a few tears dripped from his eyes and splashed onto the floor. He wiped them away angrily and thought It's not going to bring them back! He sighed and then stood up to put the photo album away in his trunk. He didn't want to go back to the common room; he just wanted to be alone. Harry changed into his nightclothes and climbed into bed. He tossed and turned for a long time and finally heard Ron enter the dormitory. "Harry?"

Harry laid still and took in deep, even breaths. He must have fooled Ron because he could hear Ron opening his wardrobe and changing into his nightclothes. Ron climbed into bed and promptly fell asleep. Long after, Harry finally drifted off into a dreamless sleep.