Angels Among Us

Angels Among Us

Chapter 7: A Christmas Engagement

Harry woke up several days later. He knew he was in a bed, but he didn't know where he was.

He heard the door open. "Mom, Dad! Come quickly! Harry's awake!" he heard Hermione shout.

He turned his head in the direction he thought the door was in. His head throbbed with the slightest movement. He felt Hermione sit on the edge of the bed then felt a cool cloth go on his forehead. "How do you feel?" asked Hermione.

"Like a herd of Hippogriffs was on a stampede inside my head. How'd I get back here?"

"Me. I somehow freed myself from my bonds. I saw you laying face down.

All I could think was, 'Please don't let him be dead. Please don't let him be dead.' I noticed your shallow breathing and was very relieved.

Anyways, I apparated back to my mom and dad's with you."

"How...how long was I unconscious?"

"Three days. It's now Christmas Eve.

You want to know something funny?"

"What?"

"I've had a hard time keeping Elizabeth away from you during her nap times, or at night. I tuck her into her crib, then when I go to get her, she's lying beside you.

You couldn't have been getting her, you've barely been conscious enough to eat.

She must be apparating from her crib to you. She sure likes you Harry."

"How are you feeling?" asked Mr. Granger as he came into the room.

"My head feels like it has been put through a blender. Other than that, I think I'm fine."

Mrs. Granger came into the room carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of soup. "Hot chicken soup and a couple slices of cheese toast should make you feel better," she said.

She laid the tray on Harry's bedside table. "We'll let you two talk." Mr. And Mrs. Granger left the room.

"I thought I'd lost you," said Hermione.

Harry reached up and wiped a few stray hairs from Hermione's face. "I love you."

"I love you, too. What's the last thing you remember?"

"Voldemort had exhausted his aura trying to attack me. He was advancing on your body. He almost performed the killing curse on you.

I attacked him. When he died, I felt a burning pain run through my scar. I passed out.

Then all I remember is waking up here a few minutes ago."

"You don't have a scar anymore."

"What?"

"Your scar is gone. What I figure happened is that your scar provided a link between you and Voldemort. When Voldemort died, the link was severed and the curse was lifted. The scar then vanished."

Hermione helped Harry with his glasses then helped him to the mirrored dresser. "See, your scar is gone."

Harry rubbed the location on his forehead where the scar used to be. "I guess this means Voldemort is gone."

Hermione helped Harry back into bed and helped him eat his lunch.

* * *

Harry was up and about later that same day. He went and watched Elizabeth nap. "I love you your mother so much," he whispered, "and I love you as though you were my own daughter."

As if on cue, Elizabth opened her eyes and yawned. She reached up for Harry. "Dada," she said.

"What did you just call me?"

"Dada." Harry picked Elizabeth up and carried her downstairs.

"Glad to see you up and around Harry," said Mr. Granger. He never realized that Harry had the largest grin on his face.

Hermione walked into the living room and saw Harry carrying Elizabeth and smiling. "What's that big grin for Harry?"

Harry sat on the couch. "Elizabeth just said her first word. She just called me Dada.

Go on say it for everyone else."

"Dada."

"Where's Mama?"

Elizabeth reached for Hermione. "Mama," she said.

Hermione took Elizabeth from Harry. "Where's Grandpa?"

Elizabeth reached for Hermione's father. "Gapa."

Hermione carried Elizabeth into the kitchen. "Where's Grandma?"

Elizabeth reached for Hermione's mom. "Gama."

"She's started talking?" asked Hermione's mom."

"Yes, just today. She called Harry Dada -- and that's what has me worried.

I can't tell her that Harry's not her Dada. He's the only father she's really known.

Not that I don't want him to be. It's just that he hasn't said the four words every woman wants to hear -- 'Will you marry me?'"

"Hermione, give Harry time. I mean you've only been living with him just over a year, plus you are still recovering from your relationship with Thomas.

Harry loves you. I see it in his eyes every time he looks at you. He'll ask you when the time is right."

Harry had been going into the kitchen for a drink. He overheard the conversation between Hermione and her mom. He returned to the living room. "Mr. Granger, can I talk to you privately?"

"Sure Harry. Let's go up to my study." Harry followed Mr. Granger upstairs. Once inside the study, Mr. Granger motioned for Harry to take a seat. Once they were seated Mr. Granger spoke. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"You know I love Hermione right?" Mr. Granger nodded. "I've always been in love with her.

Since Hermione's been living with me, I've also come to think of Elizabeth as my own daughter.

I'm a traditional type guy and it's traditional for a man who's in love with a woman to ask her father for her hand in marriage. I'm asking you now -- can I ask Hermione to marry me?

I overheard Hermione and Mrs. Granger talking. Hermione wants me to ask her."

"Harry, nothing would make Mrs. Granger and I more proud than to have you as a son-in-law. Go ahead and ask her."

"Thank you."

"Can I see it?"

"What?"

"Can I see the ring?"

"Oh yeah. Sure." Harry pulled the velvet box from his pocket. He opened it and showed the ring to Hermione's dad. The ring was a single narrow band of white gold with a solitary diamond. It was simple, yet elegant and beautiful.

"Wow, it's beautiful."

"Just like Hermione. I've noticed she's not much for jewelery so I didn't want to get something large and showy."

"You made the right choice. This ring suits Hermione. When do you plan on asking her?"

"Tomorrow. I'm going to wait until after the presents have been opened, then I'll ask her."

* * *

Christmas morning dawned bright and clear. Harry stretched and felt his hand hit a head of hair. "'Mione?"

"I had another dream about my relationship with Thomas. I came in here." Harry switched on a lamp. He could see the tears running down Hermione's cheeks.

Harry rolled onto his side. He wiped the tears away with his thumb. "It's okay to cry. Thomas really hurt you. I understand." Harry kissed her forehead, then each cheek before placing a tender kiss on her lips. "I'll never hurt you. You know that -- right?"

Hermione nodded slowly. Harry brushed a few stray hairs away from her face. "We should go get dressed. It is Christmas morning after all."

Again Hermione nodded. She climbed out of bed. "I love you Harry," she said as she reached for the doorknob.

"I love you too Hermione," Harry replied. He climbed out of, went into his own private bathroom, showered and got dressed.

He went downstairs. Mr. And Mrs. Granger were already downstairs. Mrs. Granger walked over and hugged Harry. "Rodger told me you plan on asking Hermione to marry you today."

"I do. I have the ring right here." He patted his pants pocket.

"May I see it?"

Just then Hernmione started walking down the stairs. "See what mother?" she asked.

"How much of that conversation did you hear?" asked Harry.

"Just my mother asking you if she could see something. See what?"

"Oh, Harry just nicked himself while shaving.

It's barely even noticeable," her mother said taking Harry's chin and tilting it slightly.

Hermione had actually heard most of the conversation. She knew Harry had a ring and was planning on asking her to marry him. She had a hard time fighting the huge smile that wanted to brighten her face.

* * *

After the presents were opened, Mrs. Granger went into the kitchen to prepare Christmas brunch. "Come on Rodger I need your help with something." Mr. and Mrs. Granger left the room.

Harry slid off the couch he and Hermione had been sitting on. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket. "Hermione, I'm not a romantic, and I'm no poet. I don't know what my future holds anymore.

However, I do know how much you and Elizabeth mean to me -- I do know I want you in my future." Harry opened the box. "I love you so much Hermione. Will you be Mrs. Harry Potter? Will you marry me?"

Hermione flashed Harry the largest smile he hadn't seen in a long time. "Yes Harry, I will marry you." Tears of pure joy stained both of their cheeks as Harry slid the ring onto Hermione's finger.

Harry got higher up and kissed his fiancée. They then kissed Elizabeth, one on each side of the head. Their eyes remained locked. "Mama. Dada."

"That's right Liz, we are your Mama and Dada," said Harry. He drew Hermione into another passionate kiss.