Conversations In the Aftermath
Conversations in Australia
By Chem Prof
This story will not include the reunion scene where they find Hermione’s parents and restore their memories. There are plenty of stories out there already that deal with that, but it’s not a part of this one, because these conversations are about Harry and Hermione’s relationship. A good story that I’ve read recently that does include the reunion is Vanilla by danieljgrant, so check it out if you feel the need for such a scene.
There are three separate time periods represented in this chapter. The first is after they’d been in Australia for a while, on the day they finally found Hermione’s parents. The second is about a week later, and the third is about a week after that.
The exhausted young couple staggered into their hotel room at the end of a long day, and Harry wrapped Hermione up in a comforting hug.
“Finally! I can’t believe it took so long to find them. I’m exhausted.”
“I knew you could do it. You’re the most persistent person I know. It was just a matter of time.”
“Thank you Harry. For everything. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”
“I’m just glad I could help.”
“Harry?”
“Hmm?”
“How is it that you always know what I need? You never used to be this way.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lately you’ve encouraged me when I needed encouraging, comforted me when I needed comforting, held my hand to let me know you were there to support me, and hugged me when I needed a hug. Those are things you were never able to do. I could always tell you wanted to comfort me and so forth, but you were always so uneasy and uncertain about what you should do.”
“You’re right. It took me a long time before I stopped feeling awkward in situations like this. No one ever showed me affection before I went to Hogwarts, or comfort, or love, or anything like that. I think you were the first one who ever hugged me, and it shocked me at first.”
“Oh Harry …”
“No, I don’t want to go over that again. But even after I got used to it, it was still difficult for me to initiate it. And of course I was often so wrapped up in my own problems that I didn’t always pick up on yours.”
“Well, to be fair, you usually did have some pretty pressing problems of your own.”
“I know, but I still should have done better. But at any rate, I don’t have those things to worry about now and I decided that I was going to take care of you for a change.”
“I must say you’ve done a splendid job of it. But how did you manage to pick it up so quickly?”
“Easy. I had a good teacher.”
“Harry …”
“No, really. I just tried to focus on what you were going through, and try to put myself in your position and figure out how you were feeling, and then I thought about what you would do for me in that situation. You were always taking hold of my hand when I needed your support, and you always said the right thing when I needed encouragement, and you always gave me a hug when I needed comforting. So I try to do those same things for you.”
“Oh Harry.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I guess that’s the one thing you haven’t quite mastered yet. What to do about crying girls.”
“You’re right. The only thing I know how to do is hug them.”
“I take it back. You have mastered what to do with crying girls.”
“So, you tired enough that you want to go straight to bed?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
-ooOoo-
(a short time later, after they’d gone to bed)
“Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m scared.”
“Of what’s going to happen tomorrow when we talk to your parents?”
“Yes. What if they hate me? What if they don’t want anything to do with me?”
“Don’t worry. Just remember that they love you. As soon as they get their memories back they’re going to remember what an incredible daughter they have.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I really do.”
“Harry? Could you do one more thing for me?”
“Sure.”
“Could you hold me tonight?”
“You mean come over into your bed and hold you while you fall asleep.”
“Y..Yes. But you don’t have to if …”
“No, that’s fine. I’d be glad to.”
“Here, just scoot up behind me and put your arms … yes, like that. Perfect. Are you sure you’re OK with this?”
“No problem. As long as I can keep your hair out of my face.”
“Prat.”
“I love you too.”
“I know you do. And Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
-ooOoo-
(the next morning)
“Harry?”
“Mmmm.”
“Harry, good morning.”
“Morning Hermione … huh? Wait, what am I … where? Oh Hermione … I’m sorry I …”
“Relax, Harry, everything’s fine.”
“I’m sorry. I only meant to hold you until you fell asleep, then I was going to go back to my own bed. I swear.”
“Harry, it’s OK. Nothing improper happened.”
“Are you sure? I mean, what if I touched something during the night that I wasn’t supposed to?”
“Harry, anything you might have done didn’t bother me, so don’t worry about it.”
“Uh … OK. So … how did we get like this?”
“I guess my sleeping self decided your chest made a good pillow. And I do like having your arm wrapped around me like that.”
“Well, it is pretty comfortable I guess.”
“Did you sleep all right?”
“I think so. I didn’t wake up at all until just now. I’d say that was the best night’s sleep I’ve had since …”
“Since?”
“I’m not sure. Sometime during sixth year I suppose.”
“Well, that’s good to hear!”
“Yeah, we should sleep together more often.”
“Really?”
“Oh no! I didn’t … I didn’t mean it like that!”
“That’s OK, I know exactly what you meant. I was thinking the same thing but I couldn’t figure out any way to say it that didn’t sound suggestive. I think you just proved that there isn’t one.”
“So, no more sleeping together? Sleeping in the same bed, I mean.”
“I don’t think so. No matter how we try to explain it, it will seem wrong.”
“So, are you ready to get up now?”
“Not really.”
“Trying to stall a while to get up your courage?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s still early. I guess we can wait a bit longer.”
“Good. Since this is the last time we’ll be able to do this, I want to enjoy every minute.”
The two of them contented themselves in each other’s embrace in silence for a few minutes.
“Hermione?”
“Yes?”
“This isn’t the first time we’ve done this is it?”
“What … what do you mean?”
“Last year? When you and I were alone in the tent together?”
“I … I don’t …”
“Sometimes you would crawl into bed with me and hold me.”
“I didn’t think you knew.”
“At first I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming. But then I didn’t know why you were doing it, if you were just lonely, or missing Ron, or what. And you never said anything about it so I thought you were too embarrassed to bring it up. So I didn’t say anything about it either because I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. Things were stressful enough as it was.”
“Well, the reason was that you’d start shaking and crying out in your sleep. I was sure you were having a nightmare, and thought Voldemort might be sending you visions. So I crawled in behind you one night and just held you until you calmed down. It seemed to help so I kept doing it whenever it happened. I always tried to get back to my own bed before you woke up though. I guess it didn’t always work.”
“I guess not. I never slept for very long without waking up. But it definitely helped. It always seemed that I’d fall back asleep more easily when you were there.”
“I’m glad.”
“That’s the other reason I never said anything. I wanted you to keep doing it.”
“I think you’re going to make me cry again.”
“Go ahead. But the reason I brought it up is to explain why I agreed so readily last night when you asked me to come over here and hold you. Since it was something you had done for me, I reckoned it was something I should do for you.”
“Harry, you are the absolute best friend a person could ever have.”
“You are too, Hermione, you are too.”
-oooOOOooo-
Hermione’s parents were overjoyed to have her back in their lives. After the emotional reunion, they decided to stay in Australia a bit longer while the Grangers prepared to move back to England, and to do some sightseeing.
-ooOoo-
Hermione walked into Harry’s room, tying the strings of a bikini top at the back of her neck.
“My goodness, Harry, can you believe we’re about to go see the Great Barrier Reef?”
“Wow!”
“Harry?”
“Wow!”
“Harry stop it. You’re making me even more self-conscious than I already am.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that … Wow.”
“Auughh! I never should have let my mother talk me into wearing this string bikini. I feel like I’m practically naked.”
“Remind me to thank your mother.”
“Oh Harry, stop!”
“OK, OK. It’s just that I’m having a Yule Ball moment here.”
“What?”
“I’ve just been hit over the head again with the fact that not only is my best friend a girl, but an incredibly attractive one as well.”
“That’s … well that’s a very nice thing for you to say. Thank you. But could you please stop staring at my chest?”
“I’ll try, but … maybe I should stand behind you.”
“Oh honestly! How am I supposed to talk to you then?”
“Never mind. It didn’t help. The rear view is pretty distracting too.”
“Harry! Oh, what am I going to do with you?”
“Are you kids about ready? The snorkeling boat leaves in half an hour.”
“Hi Mum, yes, we just finished changing into our swim suits.”
“Oh good. I see that new suit I got you fits perfectly. It looks great on you.”
“I agree Mrs. Granger. She looks incredible. I can hardly take my eyes off her.”
“Harry ….”
“Of course, that’s why I bought it for her. And what about you? How do you like your suit?”
“Well, it’s a little snug.”
“But it looks fantastic on you. Don’t you agree Hermione? He’s quite a hunk isn’t he?”
“Mum!”
“Well?”
“Well, yes, but …”
“Really? You think I look good?”
“Of course Harry. I’ve always thought you were good looking. And now that your body’s filled out and you aren’t so skinny anymore …”
“Like I said, a real hunk.”
“Mum!”
-oooOOOooo-
“Harry, can I talk with you for a bit?”
“Sure, Mr. Granger.”
“I want you to know that I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you these past few weeks. But I have to admit I’m curious about your relationship with Hermione.”
“We’re friends, sir, best friends. She’s sorta like my sister.”
“I see. You know, the two of you seem closer than just about anyone I know, certainly closer than I am to my sister. Are you sure it’s not more?”
“Well, we are very close. We have been for years. And I know we’ve grown even closer this past year. As a matter of fact, you’re not the first person to think that there might be more between us. But we’re both dating other people.”
“And how’s that going?”
“Pretty good … well … OK at least.”
“Any problems related to how close you and Hermione are?”
“Well, yeah actually.”
“So you’re saying that the ones you are currently dating would also be among those who think that there might be more between the two of you?”
“Yeah, I suppose you could put it that way. I know for sure that Ron’s big fear is that Hermione and I will get together. And I imagine that Ginny’s worried about it as well.”
“Does that tell you something?”
“Er … maybe.”
“Here’s something for you to think about. How would you feel if you both married other people and didn’t see each other every day, or even very often, and weren’t a part of each others lives any more?”
“I’d … that would be …. I don’t even want to think about that. I can’t imagine what my life would be without Hermione in it.” There was a pause while Harry looked down, shaking his head. “I’m sorry I can’t give you a better answer. Every time I try to think about it, my stomach tightens up … a feeling of panic. The thought scares me to death.”
“So what do you think you could do to make sure that doesn’t happen?”
There was a longer pause while Harry stared at Hermione’s father, who could almost see the opposing thoughts battling in the boy’s head.
“Look, I know what you’re suggesting. But she’s with Ron.”
“And is he better for her than you?”
“Ron’s a great guy. He’s my best mate.”
“But is he good for Hermione?”
Harry fell silent once more with an expression of discomfort and uncertainty on his face. Dan patted him on the back as he ended the conversation, and left him with one last suggestion.
“At least let her know she has a choice.”
-ooOoo-
“Hermione? Do you have a minute to talk?”
“Sure Mum. What did you want to talk about?”
“Well, as you might expect, I’ve been watching you and Harry for the past two weeks.”
“I would have been surprised if you hadn’t. I’m well aware of where I get my inquisitive nature from. Not to mention I’ve noticed the thoughtful look on your face at times. What’s on your mind?”
“I can’t help but notice how much the two of you love each other.”
“Oh … I suppose you could put it that way. I mean, with all the things we’ve been through together, we’d have to be very close. So of course we love each other. He’s my best friend.”
“But it could be more.”
“No Mum, it isn’t like that. Sure, I used to think about that possibility, but I’m just not his type. He’s never looked at me that way.”
“Trust me, he’s looking that way at you now.”
“Mother, just because he likes the way I look in a bikini doesn’t mean …”
“Do you think your friend Ron would look at his sister Ginny like that?”
Hermione gave her mother a skeptical look, then just shook her head.
“How would you feel if he married someone else?”
“I’d be happy for him.”
“And what about you? How would you feel if some other woman were the center of his life - did all the things for him that you do?”
Hermione studied her shoes in silence.
“Hermione, at least give it a chance.”
“What if it doesn’t work out? I might lose him as a friend.”
“Hermione, you and I both know that won’t happen – you’d be at least as close to him as if you didn’t try and he married someone else without knowing how you feel.”
“But he’s with Ginny now.”
“And is she better for him than you are?”
“Yes. Probably. I mean, she’s perfect for him.”
“Is she as close to him as you are?”
Hermione thought back to some of her recent conversations with Harry. “No, not really.”
“Does she know him as well as you do? Can she read his moods like you can? Does she always know what he needs like you do? Has she been there for him, right by his side, for seven years like you have?”
“Of course not.”
“Does she really, truly care for him as much as you do?”
“She … I … Probably. Maybe. Maybe not.”
“So is she really better for Harry than you?”
“I don’t know!”
-ooOoo-
“Daniel Granger, have you ever met anyone as stubborn as our daughter?”
Dan looked at her and smirked. “Yes.”
Emma scowled and hit him on the arm. “With answers like that, you’ll be sleeping on the couch!”
Dan rubbed his arm and gave her a look of wounded innocence. “I was talking about Harry.”
“Sure you were.”
“Trust me, that young man is every bit as stubborn as Hermione.”
“What are we going to do about them?”
“We’ve done all we can – the rest is up to them. If it’s meant to happen it will.”
“I just want them to be happy.”
-ooOoo-
“Hermione?”
“Yes Harry? My goodness, you look so serious. What is it?”
“I’ve been wondering what was going to happen when we go back.”
“Actually, I have too.”
“Are you going back to the Weasleys or are you going to live with your parents?”
“Well, I might stay with my parents for a while. I haven’t seen them in so long, and even before last year I hardly ever spent any time with them. Even if I don’t live with them I’d want to make them a bigger part of my life. But … it also depends on … well, what do you want to do? Are you going back to the Weasleys?”
“That’s part of what’s worrying me. I think they’ll expect me to, but … well I think I’ve imposed on them enough and I want to be able to make my own decisions. Like what to do with my life, where to work … where to live. And I don’t see that happening very easily if I go back there. There will be the same pressures that I needed to get away from, if you know what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean. In that house, Mrs. Weasley is in charge, and she expects everyone to do as she says. It wouldn’t be easy for us to make our own decisions without getting a piece of her mind. That’s why Fred and George moved out, and the older boys as well, when they left Hogwarts. And it’s not only that. I … I’ve realized something the past few weeks. I’m afraid that the Weasleys have certain ‘expectations’ that I don’t think we can meet. At least I can’t, and from what you’ve said it doesn’t sound like you can either.”
Harry nodded his agreement. “So … where else might we live?”
“Where … you said ‘we’. Does that mean you and me? Together? As in, we’d be living in the same place?”
“Maybe. At least that’s what I’ve been wondering. You see I … well we’ve been living together … you know, in the same house or in the tent … for so long that …”
“I know what you’re saying. I’ve been thinking the same thing. It’s to the point where it would feel strange to not be with you every day.”
“You know that musical soundtrack we listened to with your parents the other day?”
“Which one? I swear that’s the only type of music they like.”
“The one from ‘My Fair Lady’. The song I’m thinking of was I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”
“Oh Harry, that’s so sweet. That really made you think of me?”
“Those words really hit me. She almost makes the day begin. That’s so true. Every day I wake up and you’re the first person I see. And I’d really like it to stay that way. And the way the song ended just described what I’m feeling perfectly. But I’m so used to hear her say, ‘Good morning’ every day. Her joys, her woes, her highs, her lows, are second nature to me now. Like breathing out and breathing in. That’s it. Being with you is like breathing. I just … I think it would kill me if I stopped.”
“Harry, you’re making me cry again!”
“I’m sorry. I … that’s just the way I feel.”
“Don’t be sorry. That’s probably the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard. And as a matter of fact I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing. That’s what I was dreading most about going back.”
“What a relief! You have no idea how much better I feel now. That’s the biggest thing I’ve been worrying about.”
“Actually, I do have a pretty good idea because I’m as relieved as you are. You know, there’s another song from that musical, that’s probably my favorite one. It’s On the Street Where You Live. He sings about how happy he is just being near her. That’s sort of how I feel. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
“So, do you think we can work something out? I mean, find someplace? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I mean, I’d rather live in a tent with you than in a palace by myself.”
“Oh Harry!”
The conversation paused for a short period while Hermione wrapped Harry in what was quite possibly the strongest hug she had ever given him, and which he returned with equal fervor. When they broke apart his hands still remained on her waist and hers kept hold of his upper arms, although neither of them seemed to notice.
“Harry, are you thinking … this place where we might live together. Would it be just the two of us?” Both of them knew exactly what she was asking. No Weasleys would be invited to share these lodgings.
“Yes, if that’s OK with you.”
Their eyes met, and communicated an understanding, one that neither of them would consciously admit or acknowledge, much less vocalize.
“OK.”
In the next room, an older couple paused in their preparations for their move back to England, and shared a smile.
-xox-XOX-XOX-xox-
This actually seemed to me like a pretty good place to end the story, but I do have a bit of an epilogue though. You won’t have to wait too long for it - just a couple of days.