It Was an Accident....

Chapter 2

It was finally here. The day she had dreaded since that one day she slipped up that summer was here. She didn't write Harry again after that, or if she did, it was short notes on what she was doing and such. Harry never wrote back, even before that one letter, but she assumed that was because either the order regulated his mail or he was still in grief. She never broached the subject of her letter since "then" but now she would have to; another year was starting today, September 1, and she would she him at the platform.

Hermione took her time in getting ready today. It was the day she would deepen or lose her friendship altogether with Harry. She dressed in the same fashion and, for the first time ever, her mother had to call her down, for fear of being late.

Hermione was on edge while walking through the platform. Surely he would be there waiting for her and she dreaded looking at him. She crossed the barrier and standing before her was Harry and the Weasley's. They all looked up at her and smiled. She looked carefully at Harry as he approached her.

"Hey Hermione!"

Hey Hermione?!?!?! That was all he could say to her! After the letter, surely he would have something more...she didn't know, maybe serious!

"Hi Harry," she said stiffly, still wary. "Now, see about my letter..."

But Harry cut in.

"Oh, sorry about that. The order didn't want me writing too many letters because of Voldemort and such so I'm sorry. Oh, and there was one letter that got all smeared because Leo was flying in the rain. I think it was around August. Was there anything I needed to know on there?" Harry asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Hermione was shocked and happy at the same time. She was saved! She could go on like it didn't happen and he wouldn't know!

"Hermione?"

"What?! Oh, sorry, no there wasn't anything at all."

"You sure?"

"Yep."

"Okay then. Let's get on the train, then. Don't want Ron to forget about us and go snog Luna. Oh, wait, you don't know. Ron got together with Luna over the summer. Pretty funny, if you ask me, eh?"

With that, the two of them clambered onto the train after their traditional Weasley hug.

------------------------------------------------------------

In truth, Harry did know what the letter. Instead of making Hermione fidget, he planned to surprise her.

This letter made Harry more happy then he could have thought, after what had happened. He could now have someone to love him like he loved them. So he planned. He planned for them to have a romantic getaway in Hogsmeade one day.

He had already talked to Ron about it. The Weasley's had invited him over about halfway through the summer and he had told Ron about Hermione's letter. He was a little surprised to say the least but encourage Harry to go after her. Not that anything could have stopped him anyways.

------------------------------------------------------------

Things went comfortably throughout the first month of school, except for news of Voldemort's attacks and Ron off who knows where, doing homework with Luna.

But that came to an abrupt stop at their first Hogsmeade trip.

Ron and Luna had gone off to leave Harry and Hermione some privacy. See, they were all in on the plot. Heck, even the teachers knew something was up. Hermione was, of course, oblivious to it all, and went on as normal. However, Harry was beginning to feel the strain. He had a hard time trying to contain himself around her. But he knew that he would have to wait to put the plan into action, otherwise, Hermione would become suspicious.

So in the last week of October, Harry and Hermione set off to the appeasing little town. Harry was telling a funny story about his summer with Dudley and Hermione was laughing jovially. He loved her smile. But that was beside the point, Harry thought as he shook his head.

They stopped in the Three Broomsticks for a quick drink and then headed off to all the other stores. Hermione stood impatiently while Harry went crazy in the quidditch supplies store and likewise with Hermione and the bookstore. Finally, they had completed all their shopping and were walking around Hogsmeade aimlessly.

"Hey, Hermione, do you mind we go up to the Shrieking Shack?"

"Umm, no, Harry, but do you really want to?" Hermione asked warily.

"Definitely. Come on."

Harry took Hermione's hand, ignoring the tingling, and led her up the hill. They finally made it up and just stood staring at the dilapidated building. It brought back many memories, especially for them. Then Harry glanced at Hermione before putting his plan into action.

"You know, Hermione, I have a confession to make to you. I lied to you."

"What? What are you talking about Harry?"

"I lied to you, on the platform before school started. I did get the letter, and I read it too. But you lied to me too. You said there was nothing important in there. It was very important, to me."

"Harry..." but she was at a loss for words.

He finally turned to her, smiling. He placed a finger on her lips and began to recite his speech. "I liked your letter, whether or not you meant it. Because, you said what I couldn't say to you. I love you, Hermione. I have for a long time but I haven't realized it since last year. Your letter just gave me more confidence. Of course, its going to all be used when I ask you this one question now." Harry reached into his pocket and brought it out with a crimson velvet box in tow. He kneeled down and stared up at Hermione, grin ever-present, and asked, "Hermione Granger, I love you and have always loved you. You make me complete and understand me more than anyone else. Will you, out of any mercy you still possess for me, marry me?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes and sincerity in his voice.

Of course, by this time, Hermione was shocked. She looked down at Harry, surprise written all over her face and processed the words in her brain. Finally, Hermione dropped down to her knees in front of him and said, in a breathy and quiet voice, "Yes! Yes, of course I will marry you."

And with that, Harry lent in for the first kiss ever. This was the happiest day of both their lives and they looked back on it fondly. It didn't matter that they had never dated whatsoever, all that mattered was that they loved each other, and so was the code for the rest of their lives.

And they lived happily ever after...