A Summer of Love

Harry awoke early the next morning. The soft light of dawn was beginning to fill his room with a gray shade of light. Harry swung his legs out of bed, and sat there for a few moments. He blinked slowly, yawning and stretching.

He was also thinking of the previous night.

It had all seemed so surreal; so perfect. How Hermione had wrapped her arms around him, then leaned her head upon his shoulder. And how he had returned the gesture by wrapping an arm around her. Had that all really happened? Or was it yet another dream that Harry had about Hermione?

He rolled back into bed, under the covers. He knew that he wasn't going to fall back asleep, but he also knew that nobody in the house would be awake yet.

Harry wished with all his heart that what had happened the night before actually did happen. And if it really did happen, Harry hoped that it meant something more than friendly comforting. Hermione knew that Harry was still smarting from the loss of Sirius. But was her gesture more than that of a friend comforting another after such a loss?

Harry pondered all of this, and more. The sun rose higher, causing more, and brighter, sunlight to begin to fill the room. Harry climbed out of bed and changed out of his pajamas. He padded softly down the hall to Ashley's room. Hermione was already standing over the crib.

Harry walked behind and looked at the sleeping baby. "How long have you been awake?" he asked, his voice a light whisper.

Hermione turned around quickly. She seemed to be startled that Harry was there. She turned back to the crib and said, "Probably fifteen minutes." She moved away from Harry slowly, seeming to hope that he wouldn't notice. But Harry did notice, and it seemed that what had happened the night before was nothing more than a dream.

Harry backed away, ready to leave to head downstairs. "I'll go start making some breakfast," he said, gruffly. "Anything in particular you want?"

Hermione shook her head, no. Harry left the room quietly, and wondered what he could possibly make for their breakfast. He wanted to try something different, maybe try to impress Hermione.

He flipped through one of the Grangers' cookbooks, looking up various recipes. Muffins? That could work. But do they have the ingredients? Pancakes? No... we already had that. Omelets? They have the ingredients, I'm sure. So I'll cook that.

Harry wondered what Hermione would like in her omelet. He quickly pulled out some eggs, cheese, and bacon. He stood at the refrigerator door, wondering what else she may want. He took out an onion, then closed the door. He took some garlic powder out of the pantry, and assembled all of his ingredients next to the stove.

First, Harry took a few slices of bacon and fried them up. Then, as he let the bacon cool slightly, he sautéed some of the onion. Then, once the onions were finished, he put them on a plate, and chopped the bacon into little pieces.

Harry then scrambled some eggs in a small bowl. He added a bit of salt, a bit of pepper, and a pinch of the garlic powder. Then he poured the eggs into the frying pan. He let the egg cook on one side, then flipped it. He added all of the ingredients, except for the cheese, sprinkling some more garlic powder on them. Then he put some cheese on top of the other ingredients. Harry then folded the egg over, and let the cheese melt over the other ingredients.

Harry hadn't noticed that Hermione had come downstairs as he prepared her breakfast. He quicly toasted a slice of bread, then buttered it, and placed it on a plate with the omelet. Her turned around to put it on the table, and was slightly surprised that she was already there with Ashley. He placed the omelet next to her spot.

Harry turned away from Hermione, poured her a glass of milk, then started making his own breakfast. He sat across from where Hermione was feeding Ashley. He felt slightly disappointed that Hermione had touched neither her omelet nor her milk.

Harry ate slowly, watching Hermione. Once she finished feeding Ashley, she seemed surprised that there was an omelet in front of her. She looked at Harry, who gave her a faint smile. She looked back at the plate, and said, "Thanks." She started eating quickly.

Harry finished before she did. He took his plate and placed it in the sink, then took hers when she finished. He started doing the dishes, cleaning all that he had dirtied while preparing breakfast.

As the plates and silverware clinked together while Harry washed them, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Harry paused momentarily, and looked down. He saw Hermione's hands clasped in front of him. He swallowed, then resumed washing the dishes. He felt Hermione's head rest on his shoulder. It was then that he became aware of how close they were to each other's heights. Harry continued cleaning, pretending like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"Thanks."

Harry heard the light whisper, and it felt as though his heart had stopped. He swallowed, and it started to beat again, at a much faster pace than before.

"Y-you're welcome," he stuttered. Harry was running out of dishes to wash, and he definitely did not want this moment to end. "It was nothing, really."

Hermione sighed softly. "I don't mean just breakfast." Harry felt her light breath tickling his neck. "I mean, thanks for everything. Ever since you rescued me from the troll in first year, to third year when you saved me from the dementors, to now when you're washing the dishes."

Harry felt as she squeezed lightly around his waist. His breath hitched, and his mind tried to think of something to say. "Er, well, you're welcome," Harry said lamely. "Thanks to you, er, too."

Hermione said lightly, "You're welcome."

Harry had finished washing the dishes, yet Hermione still hugged him, her head on his shoulder. Harry was feeling awkward, but nothing before with Hermione had felt as right before. Part of Harry wanted to break the hug, but a larger part didn't. So Harry just stood there, Hermione's arms wrapped around him, until she pulled away.

Harry dried his hands, and turned to watch Hermione. Her face had a pink tinge to it. Was she embarrassed? Harry had had more experience with girls since Cho, but he still wasn't very good with them.

Almost right before he asked what Hermione had planned to do, she said, "There's a carnival in town this week. Want to go today?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure. That'd be fun. When's it open?"

"Two o'clock, I think," Hermione answered. "But that's still a few hours away. What do you want to do until then?"

Harry thought about it. "We could go swimming in the pool, I suppose. But it doesn't matter to me."

Hermione shrugged. "The pool sounds good. I'll get Ashley ready, and I'll see you out there."

Hermione picked up Ashley and turned around, starting to walk toward the stairs. "It's a date!" Harry blurted, surprising himself. Hermione turned around, surprised, a blush gracing her features. Harry blushed deeply, and stared at the table until he heard Hermione walking around upstairs.

Harry got ready, then went out to the pool, and dove in. When he came up for air, Hermione was opening the door on the porch. Harry hopped out of the pool, so he could help get Ashley ready for swimming.

---

After swimming, lunch, and Ashley's nap, Harry, Hermione and Ashley all walked to the fair.

It would be a new experience for both Harry and Ashley. After all, the Dursleys were reluctant to take Harry anywhere with them. And Ashley was only a young baby, so she wasn't likely to have been to a carnival before.

As they walked into the bustling carnival in the early afternoon, Harry was amazed. There were all sorts of flashy rides, interesting games, and plenty of things for the three of them to do.

Hermione smiled, watching Harry's reaction. Even having to live with the Dursleys, she had expected him to go to a carnival at least once. Apparently, she had expected wrongly.

Hermione politely cleared her throat. "Harry, what do you want to do first?"

Harry blinked, then looked at Hermione. "I dunno. What do you want to do?"

Hermione giggled. Harry raised and eyebrow. "What?" he said.

Hermione shook her head. "Never mind. How about we go on the carousel?"

Harry nodded, and followed, pushing the stroller, as Hermione led them to the carousel. They stood in line as they waited for the cycle to carousel was on to finish. Hermione put Ashley on a horse, and stood next to it, to make sure Ashley didn't fall off. Harry stood there uncomfortably, and Hermione said, "Go on, Harry, get on a horse."

Harry obliged, hesitantly. "Don't you want to?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. I've ridden on a carousel before. You go ahead."

Harry grinned, and watched Hermione and Ashley as his horse rose up and down. As they left the ride, Harry said, "That wasn't very exciting."

Hermione laughed. "No... it wasn't. But it's more of a little kid's ride. What next?"

Harry looked around the carnival. "How about that?" Harry pointed at the Ferris wheel.

He saw Hermione swallow. "Er, sure."

"If you don't want to, we don't have to..." Harry said.

Hermione shushed him. "Don't worry Harry. I'll go on." She led the way to the Ferris wheel.

There wasn't a very long line, and they got there just as the ride was loading. They placed Ashley in between them. Harry could see Hermione closing her eyes and muttering to herself. The Ferris wheel didn't really bother him. He'd been higher on a broom before, anyway. And then, he'd had bludgers being hit at him.

As the ride was being unloaded, Harry, Hermione, and Ashley were at the top. Harry was watching Hermione, whose knuckles were white from clutching the handrail so hard. Harry slowly started rocking the car they were in. Hermione screamed and Ashley giggled.

"Harry! No!" Hermione yelled.

Harry grinned, and continued to rock the car they were in. Hermione screamed again. "No! Stop! Please!"

Harry stopped, looking at Hermione. She was deathly pale, and her grip on the handrail had tightened, if that was even possible. "What's wrong?" Harry asked?

Hermione glared at him. "What's wrong?" she hissed. "What's wrong? In case you haven't noticed, I'm afraid of heights. And you rocking the car while we're on top is not helping. At all!"

Harry cowered slightly, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to have some fun while we waited."

Hermione sighed. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."

They left that ride, then went all around the carnival. They rode the Teacups. They went on the miniature roller coaster. They went on all of the small children's rides at least once. Some, like the Teacups, they went on twice.

Also, Harry spent a few pence of the money he had earned doing housework to play some of the games. He won Hermione a large lion, and Ashley a smaller teddy bear. Harry grinned as Hermione gave him a big hug to thank him for the lion. It was getting late, and Ashley was showing the signs of wanting to go to sleep.

Harry and Hermione were ready to leave, but Agnes's friend hobbled over to them again. Harry was surprised that they had encountered the old woman once again, but stood there politely.

"You two," she pointed at Harry and Hermione, "should go on that ride. Don't worry. Agnes and I can watch your baby." Harry looked beyond the old woman and saw Agnes waving at them. Then he looked at the ride that Agnes's friend had pointed at. It was the Tunnel of Love.

Harry looked at Hermione, who was looking at him, confused. Harry said, "Why not?" Agnes's friend took Ashley over to the bench with Agnes sitting on it, and Harry and Hermione walked hesitantly toward the ride.

Hermione looked at Harry. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she said in a high-pitched squeaky voice.

Harry nodded. "I'm sure." His voice seemed to soothe Hermione slightly, as some of her shaking seemed to have subsided.

They got on the ride, and there was a considerable space between them. It was very uncomfortable. Harry wanted to close the gap between them, but hesitated. The ride was almost over when he wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders. She leaned into him, looking up and smiling.

Harry was moments away from kissing her, but, unfortunately, the ride ended before he could. Harry and Hermione abruptly separated, and they went to get Ashley, and thank Agnes and her friend.

Harry and Hermione walked home in silence. Harry was dwelling on what had happened in the Tunnel of Love. Why hadn't he just kissed her? Why did the ride have to end so soon? What did Hermione think of him?

Hermione put Ashley to bed. When she came down the stairs afterwards, she and Harry watched a bit of television before Harry turned in soon afterward.

But right before Harry had gone up the stairs to his bed, Hermione stopped him. They were looking into each other's eyes. Harry couldn't have said or done anything.

Hermione kissed Harry lightly on the cheek. "'Night Harry."

Harry fell asleep in a daze, wondering where that had come from.