A Summer of Love

Harry thought that he had risen early the next morning. His room was full of a pale light, which he thought was from the new sunset. But soon, he heard the pitter-patter of rain upon the roof, and he looked out his window to see a gray sky gently pouring out rain.

Harry sighed, before heading down the hall to the bathroom in order to freshen up. He took a quick shower, got dressed, and then walked downstairs to find Hermione feeding Ashley.

"'Morning," Harry said softly, walking into the kitchen.

Hermione turned away from Ashley, and looked up at Harry. She had a small smile playing across her lips. "Good morning," she said, before directing her attention back to Ashley.

Harry poured himself some cereal, not really in the mood for bacon or eggs or anything like that. He quickly polished off the bowl, and put it in the sink. He leaned against the counter, watching Hermione. "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Oh, I'll just have some cereal," she answered quickly and nonchalantly, spooning some baby food for Ashley.

"No. I can cook it for you. What would you like? I'll make anything. As long as you have the stuff," Harry said, seriously.

Hermione looked at him, smiling. "That's okay, Harry. I'd just like some cereal."

Harry nodded, and quickly poured Hermione a bowl of her favorite cereal, the one with the little rainbow loops. He placed the bowl before her, then poured her a glass of orange juice, placing it next to the bowl.

After finishing feeding Ashley, Hermione smiled gratefully at Harry. "Harry, you do know that I'm capable of pouring a box of cereal, don't you?" She took a bite of the loops.

Harry blushed lightly. "Yeah... I know. I was just making you breakfast."

Hermione flushed to a shade of light pink, focusing suddenly on her cereal. They sat there in silence, Hermione crunching through her cereal, intently not looking at Harry; Harry, watching her avoid looking at him. Once she was finishing her last spoonful, Harry asked, "What do you want to do today? It raining, so that kind of rules out a few things."

Hermione thought about it for a few moments. "Oh, I know! There's this movie I've been dying to see. It's supposed to have just come out in theaters this week." Her face was positively alight with happiness. Harry could help but smile in return, but then her face fell. "But you probably wouldn't like it," she said quickly.

Harry sat down in a chair next to her. "It's a great idea," he reassured her. "And how do you know I won't like it until I see it?" He smiled.

Hermione grinned and threw her arms around Harry, hugging him close. "Oh, thank you, Harry! How can I thank you?"

"You just did," he said, grinning. He added quickly, "Er, I mean by saying thanks and everything."

Hermione nodded. "We should probably head over there. It's a long movie, and the next show is probably already sold out, since it just came out." She ran upstairs, presumably to change out of her pajamas.

Harry chuckled and picked Ashley up out of her high chair. "How'd you like to go and see a movie?" he cooed. She gurgled in return. Harry tickled her lightly under her chin, causing her to emit loud squeals.

Hermione came downstairs ten minutes later, dressed and ready to go. Judging by the dampness of her hair, she had also taken a shower. Harry had Ashley in her baby carrier, which he handed to Hermione for a few moments.

He went up the stairs and grabbed all of the money he had earned. He wasn't sure how much it would cost to see a film in theaters, so he just took it all, jamming shillings, pound notes, and various other change in his pockets.

Once they arrived at the theater, they found out that Hermione was, indeed, right. The next showing had already sold out. So they bought tickets for the showing after that, and decided to wait an hour and a half.

Harry did end up having enough money. He had to pay £7 for the tickets. Hermione was surprised that Harry was paying. She had brought her own money. But Harry told her to keep it, and paid the person at the ticket counter.

He barely had enough money to manage the £4 for snacks and movie food. But daily chores for the Dursleys had finally paid off.

They were some of the first people in the theater. They sat in the middle of the theater, Ashley in the chair to Hermione's right, Harry in the chair to her left. They watched and chatted as the usual ads for soft drinks and popcorn flashed up on the movie screen. Finally, the move had begun.

Hermione had been right one more than one account that morning. Harry didn't particularly like the movie. It was Titanic, and it wasn't what he would call interesting. Had he had his choice, he may have gone to see something with a bit more action. Like Air Force One, or The Lost World: Jurassic Park. But when he glanced at Hermione at intermittent periods during the movie, he noticed that she was riveted. It made him feel as though his money was well spent.

As the ending neared, and the ship had sunk, Harry heard a sniffle to his right. He looked at Hermione, surprised to see tear streaks on her face. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hesitantly, hugging her to him slightly. She continued the cry and sniffle, but Harry was pleased to feel that she didn't move away from him.

"I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go."

Hermione let out a particularly loud sniff. Harry squeezed her a little tighter for a moment, before kissing the top of her head. He whispered to her, "I'll never let go, either."

She tore her eyes from the movie, looking up at him. He smiled at her, and she smiled back, before turning her eyes back to the movie. Harry could have sworn that she snuggled closer to him.

When they left the theater, Harry had his arm around her shoulders still, and Hermione continued to sniffle lightly. Ashley was yawning largely. She hadn't been a major disturbance during the movie, having slept a lot of the time.

On the walk back to the Granger home, Harry daringly moved his arm from her shoulder. Instead, he took her hand in his, giving it a light squeeze as he felt her fingers enclose around his hand. They walked the rest of the way that way. They didn't say much, seeming to communicate so much through the touch of their hands.

When they entered the house, Ashley seemed upon the verge of slumber, despite having slept through most of the movie. Harry let Hermione sit on the couch, and took Ashley up to bed, reluctantly letting go of Hermione's hand.

When he returned downstairs, Hermione stood up to meet him. They were a few mere centimeters apart, and Harry thought that it was too far.

"Hermione," he started, but didn't have any time to finish.

For Hermione had pressed her lips to his in a soft, but eager, kiss. Harry returned the gesture, kissing her back. Hermione let her arms wrap around Harry's neck as his hands settled on her waist.

Their kiss seemed to last only a moment. Neither Harry nor Hermione had heard the door open, and the kiss was interrupted suddenly by a polite cough from Mr. Granger.

"Oops."