Forever

Crazy how it feels tonight
Crazy how you make it all alright love
You crush me with the things you do
I do for you anything too
Sitting smoking feeling high
In this moment it feels so right
Lovely lady
I am at your feet
God I want you so badly

It was 2 a.m. and Harry Potter sat in a much-deserted pub in downtown London. To say he was intoxicated would be an understatement. To say he was drunk would be a severe understatement. Harry Potter was an absolute train wreck. His jet-black hair was more ruffled than usual. His emerald green eyes had a look of hopelessness that they had shone only all to often as bags of purple and blue sagged under them. His cheeks had the feeling of dry tears. But why would Harry Potter be crying at 2 a.m. in a deserted pub in downtown London? He had defeated the Dark Lord, Voldermort, he was on the Puddlmore United Quidditch team with Oliver Wood (An old school chum), he was on the English national Quidditch team, and he had enough money in his vault in London to finance the Ministry of Magic for a decade. The answer was simple: Harry Potter had no love.

Harry Potter was in love with a brown eyed, bushy haired Hermione Granger. There was no other way to put it. The man was deeply, madly, insanely, amazingly in love with Hermione. They had been so close over the years. From the first day on the Hogwarts express, their friendship had began to blossom. At first, he saw her as more of a burden than a blessing. Hermione could be so bossy and such a know-it-all sometimes, but over the years she had matured. She had grown into a beautiful women by Harry's fifth year. She was no longer that bushy haired know-it-all that he and Ron had met on the train. She was compassionate and she listened. She was there as a friend to Harry through thick and thin. She would comfort him when he was down, offer him advice in tight spots, and stick by him through all of the danger he could encounter. Hermione had always been there. Always. She was always understanding and seemed to know exactly how Harry was feeling. Except for now of course.

I wonder this
Could tomorrow be
So wondrous as you there sleeping
Let's go drive 'till morning comes
Watch the sunrise to fill our souls up
Drink some wine 'till we get drunk

She was off touring the sites of London with her newly engaged boyfriend, Viktor Krum. That namby-pansy, grumpy, ugly, doof of a seeker who wouldn't smile if Dobby the house elf danced the polka in front of him naked. He would smile, however, if Hermione was around. This angered Harry to no end. Hermione was HIS. Not Viktor's. But she had said so, she was happy when she was with him. And if Harry wanted anything it was for her to be happy. Even if it had to be with that...that...ooo, just the thought of it steamed Harry.

Then someone had entered the bar. It was a man. His blonde hair was streaked back and his cold blue eyes surveyed the bar. It was Draco Malfoy. Followed closely behind by his wife, Ginny Weasley. He scarlet hair was spotted with snow from the blizzard outside. Her brown eyes shown with delight and happiness. The same eyes that Hermione had when she talked of Viktor Krum.

But now that Draco was married to Ginny, he and Harry had become friends. Even before that, Draco began to loosen up on his whole pureblood philosophy. He even denounced the ways of his father and offered an apology to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The three of them were reluctant to accept at first, Draco could be very sneaky sometimes and they didn't know if he was to be trusted. But during the Great Battle, the Dark Lord had shot the crutacius curse at Harry. Harry was unarmed and prepared himself for the pain, but Draco jumped in front of him to shield him. This allowed Harry to grab his wand and defeat the Dark Lord.

"Hello, Potter," Draco began in his familiar drawl, "you look absolutely delightful."

"'Lo Draco, Ginny," slurred Harry. Draco and Ginny sat down on either side of Harry.

"Barkeep, I'll have what he's having," said Draco.

"What's wrong Harry?" asked Ginny trying to look into Harry's hurt green eyes.

"Yea, what's eatin' you. You look a real wreck," Draco said motioning to Harry's robes. Harry thought about not telling them, but alcohol only enhances one's feelings at the time. So Harry spilt.

It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
Here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
Is this real or am I dreaming
Lovely lady
Let me drink you please
I won't spill a drop I promise you
Lying under this spell you cast on me
Each moment
The more I love you
Crush me
Come on

"'S Hermione. I'mmm in lovve with the girl, but she's to wrapped up with that git Krum," slurred Harry in his low, drunken tone. "That ain't the alcohol speakin' eitherrr, I'm in lovve with her. Can't get ovver her, b-but she's to happy with Viktor, I don't wanna rruin it for her," he finished. No one spoke for a moment. Then something very strange happened. Ginny and Malfoy burst out laughing, Harry looked at the two bewildered.

"What 's it? Yoou think it's funny? That I'm in love and cannn't get the girl?" asked Harry angrily. Ginny attempted to speak between her laughs.

"N-no Harry, it's just I...I can't believe you think...that she's in love with Viktor! Of all People!" Draco was wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes.

"Yea mate, honestly! Viktor Krum, man, I already know she's in love with somebody else anyway," said Draco sitting down again. Harry turned his head so fast to look at Draco he hurt his neck.

"Who?" he asked. For a moment Draco didn't speak. He just looked at Harry with a mix of amusement and superiority. Then his eyes lightened up and shone with care. Care he had only looked at Harry with one other time. (Ironically, that was another pivotal point in Harry's life)

"She's in love with you mate," he said softly. The impact of these six words hit Harry like a ton of bricks. He sat there his eyes wide open in shock, his mind working furiously.

"Me? But how? She seemed so exxcited when she hheard Vicky was commin to town!" said Harry incredulously

"Aw come on, mate. You know Hermione. You remember fifth year when her and Ron had that crush on each other. She didn't want to admit it, she was too stubborn, didn't want to ruin the friendship. It's the same way here. She's trying to fool herself out of being in love with you. Trust me, she loves you." Harry thought about this for a moment. She and Ron had both been head over heels for each other that year. Draco was right. Harry had to go get her, he had to go tell her how he felt, but first he had to...

"If yyyou guys 'll 'scuse me, I gotta see a man 'bout a dog," said Harry as he hobbled off to the bathroom. He did his business and prepared to wash up. He washed off his face, sprayed some cologne, made sure his breath didn't smell like alcohol, and did a sobering charm on himself. He was ready to go find the woman he loved.

Harry walked out of the bathroom and Ginny and Malfoy turned to look at him. They smiled when they saw his face was alight with the fire he usually had.

"Thanks you two," said Harry.

"Anytime, Harry," said Ginny. Harry began to walk out the door when Malfoy called him back.

"Oh, Potter," he pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry. What was he doing. All of the sudden a bouquet of flowers shot out at Harry. "Give her those," he said smiling. Harry smiled back and rushed out the door to Hermione's flat.

It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
Here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
Is it real or am I dreaming
Lovely lady
I will treat you sweetly
Adore you I mean you crush me
It's times like these
When my faith I feel
And I know how I love you
Come on
Lady

Hermione had just finished showing Viktor the great sites of London. He went home a couple hours ago and Hermione couldn't get to sleep. She kept tossing and turning with her thoughts on a very special person. And it wasn't Viktor. Sure, he was her boyfriend and she cared for him, but she didn't love him like she loved Harry. Harry was amazing. The most gorgeous emerald eyes someone could ever look into. They lit up and filled with joy. They were always so alive. His untidy jet-black hair and muscular frame added to his already gorgeous appearance. His smell was so amazing, that of cinnamon and mint. Hermione let out a sigh of frustration and pulled on a pair of shorts and a nightshirt. She would try and read. Maybe she could bore herself to sleep.

But no, she couldn't even read. His face kept popping into her head. He probably didn't even think twice about ever loving Hermione, he always had so many girls surrounding him in the first place, surely he wouldn't pick Hermione above all of them. Besides, she was content being friends with him. She had Viktor, she was happy with Viktor. Or so she told herself. A ring at the door interrupted her train of thought. She peered through the keyhole and saw Harry. Her heart started racing. What was Harry doing here at 3 in the morning? She opened the door to find those bright green eyes gazing at her.

"Hi Hermione, sorry it's late, but I have to talk to you," he said. Hermione's heart was racing faster then ever, she wouldn't be surprised if he could hear it beating in her chest.

"Yes, of course, come in Harry," she said motioning him inside. He walked in and she immediately got a whiff of his amazing cinnamon and mint smell.

"These are for you," he said giving the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to Hermione. She gasped and drank in their smell.

"Oh, wow, thanks Harry, these are beautiful," she said in awe. For a moment there was an awkward silence and they just stood there looking at each other.

"Uh, sit down, please," she said. Harry sat and she went to get a vase for the flowers.

"So-er-what did you want to talk about?" she yelled from the kitchen.

"You and me," he said simply. She felt a surge of guilt.

"Oh, Harry, I'm sorry we haven't hung out lately it's just with Viktor over-" but he cut her off.

"No, no, it's no that. Well it kinda is. Well, it's about Viktor," Harry was stuttering all over the place. What was wrong with him? She went back into the living area and sat down across from him. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"Hermione, I'm in love with you. I'm head over heels, crazily, madly, over-the-mill in love with you. I can't get enough of you. You're everything to me, and I can't live without you. I love everything about you. Your gorgeous brown eyes, your amazing brown hair, your gorgeous body, the way you understand me, the way you can know how I feel, I love it all. And I won't stop until I know you'll be in my life forever." Hermione sat there across from him amazed. She looked in to his deep pools of emerald eyes and he look right back into hers. Tears welled up in her eyes. This couldn't be! She had Viktor, and she was happy with him. But she didn't love him. It didn't matter, she didn't need love, and she needed Viktor. She finally found her voice.

"Harry, I have--" but she couldn't finish. Hermione kept looking into his eyes, and couldn't disappoint him. She knew she loved Harry, and she knew they were destined to be together. She couldn't lie to herself, even more, she couldn't lie to Harry. She jumped into his arms and began to sob.

"I love you too, Harry, I do. I've loved you for the longest time," she said between sobs. Harry just ran his hands up and down her back and rocked her back and forth. They sat in each other's arms for the longest time, just holding each other. Finally, Hermione looked up into his great green eyes and he looked back into hers. They were getting closer, closer. Harry pressed his lips against hers and kissed her. It was nothing like Hermione had ever felt before. Every part of her body was alive with happiness and shouting with pleasure. Viktor never kissed her like this. It was all about Harry now, she loved him, and he loved her. Life couldn't have been better.

It's crazy I'm thinking
Just as long as you're around
And here I'll be dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
To each other we'll be facing
By love we'll beat back the pain we've found
You know
I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking deep inside
My friend
With each moment the more I love you
Crush me
Come on

Then the doorbell rang. Hermione pecked him on the cheek and opened it. It was Viktor.

"V-Viktor, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I vanted to see you 'erm-my-onee," he said in his thick Bulgarian accent.

"At four in the morning?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, I vanted to tell you that these past haff been amazing and that--who is that?" Viktor had notice Harry as he walked into Hermione's flat. Anger appeared on his face.

"That's the man I love, Viktor," said Hermione simply. Viktor looked between Harry and Hermione with a look of amazement.

"Him! What about us? Vhat about my love for you?" he shouted in rage.

"I'm sorry, Viktor. But that's the man I love, not you. I'm sorry," she said in that simple voice. After a look of anger, Viktor stormed out of the flat and slammed the door shouting in Bulgarian. Harry felt a surge of guilt and looked at his feet. But Hermione, as always, knew how he was feeling.

"It's ok, Harry, it doesn't matter," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry looked down at her.

"Are you sure, because if you want to go back to Vicky, I'll understand," he said smiling. She smiled back at him and whisper in his ear, "Not in a million years." Harry pulled her closer to him and leaned down to kiss her. They just sat there kissing, exploring each other's mouths until every bit of them on fire. It was the most wonderful bliss either of them had ever felt. When they broke apart, Harry spoke first.

"I love you, Hermione Granger," he said softly.

"I love you too, Harry Potter," she said back.

So much you have given love
That I would give you back again and again
Meaning I'll hold you
And please let me always