Harry Potter: Love's Second Chance

The thought of the magical room that answered the needs of the occupants made Harry look back over at Neville, who was getting ready to head out of the dorm. It was still less than a day ago to Harry when he had seen his friend stand up to Voldemort himself. He thought of the fight Neville had put up at the school while he, Hermione, and Ron had been out on the Horcrux hunt. "Not this time Neville, my friend. Hermione, put Neville on that short list too."

"He's already on it Harry. He's always been loyal to you," The 'unlike some other people' was left unsaid.

"Luna?" Harry asked, and could feel another mental sigh in Hermione's response. "Yes, but I am not going looking for any horned whatever they are. She is a good friend though. She was battling Bellatrix with Ginny and me last night."

"I saw you. You never got to see her bedroom, did you? When we were at their home, before the Death Eater's attacked."

"No," Hermione replied. In her mind she found herself looking at a ceiling of what was obviously Luna's bedroom. Five exquisitely painted portraits were staring back at her. She felt her breath catch as she saw herself, along with Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville all in perfect detail. Fine gold chains linked the portraits together in a delicate pattern.

"Look closer," Harry's voice said, and the image zoomed in on a section of chain. A wave of tenderness washed over her for the young blonde girl as she realized the chain was actually a single word, 'friends', repeated over and over.

"It's beautiful," Hermione exclaimed. "She must have spent an entire summer creating that."

"It is very touching, isn't it?"

"Yes," Now a bit of sadness touched Hermione, as she remembered the way she'd treated Luna on occasion.

"I think what we did at the Ministry gave her confidence, like it did Neville," Harry said. "I'm not sure how to give them that this time."

"Hopefully we'll think of something. I feel we can trust her."

"With everything?" Harry asked.

"I really don't know," Hermione thought. "I'm not sure how to get anyone to believe us even if we did tell them. You're already being called crazy by the Prophet in this time. What happens if you tell someone that you're from the future and know everything? It very well might be Luna is the only one who would believe us."

"Sirius will believe us."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. "Or will he think we're trying to prank him? Or be concerned about you and tell Dumbledore? He might think your connection to Voldemort has caused you to lose touch with reality."

"But I have you," Harry said. "Hopefully he believes the both of us. We have to try."

"I know, Harry. Just be careful with what you say and how you say it."

"We can talk about this later. I'm dressed and headed down."

"Don't forget to brush your teeth?"

"Channeling your parents now? We haven't even been to breakfast yet."

"No, but Ginny is sitting here, and I thought you would like a nice morning kiss."

With that thought, Harry made quick work of brushing his teeth, and was walking down the steps to the common room in no time. As he took the last step, he saw his wife glance up from her book and look at him. He found her almond brown eyes mesmerizing and the smile that broke out when she saw him was breathtaking. "You know, I've seen you almost every day for seven years, but never really SAW you. Now...well you really are beautiful Hermione."

"I'm glad you think so."

Harry glanced around and saw there were at least a dozen people currently about. Several of them were getting an early start on revising, while others were either playing games, reading, or just chatting. Harry noticed Ginny sitting in another chair. She also had a book open but Harry could see her eyes kept darting from the pages to look over at him.

As Harry started in that direction, he could see an expectant smile appear on the red head's lips; a smile that disappeared when Harry stopped at his soul mate's chair.

He pulled Hermione up from her seat and in a voice everyone could hear said "Good morning, gorgeous. How's my girlfriend this morning?" He then pulled Hermione into his arms, and his lips once again found hers. Between Harry's words and the kiss every sound in the common ceased immediately. Not a single foot shuffled nor parchment moved; it even sounded like the other people in the room had stopped breathing for the length of the kiss. Harry finally heard a book close sharply and steps moving away. He knew that if he looked over at the chair Ginny Weasley had been sitting in, it would be empty.

"Harry?" Neville's voice said from behind him. "You and Hermione?"

Harry turned to look at his friend. "Yeah, Hermione and I are now a couple."

"When did that happen?"

"Uh...last night, after the celebration. Hermione and I...uh found ourselves down here alone and, well," Harry looked into Hermione's eyes, "We realized how much we love each other."

"That we did," Hermione agreed.

"I'm glad for you, mate," Neville said. "I know it's been a tough time for you."

"Thanks, Neville," Harry replied, and then to Hermione, "Want to invite him to study with us today?"

"The whole week, starting tomorrow, would be better; I think we will need some more time today to sort things out."

"True," Then out loud to Neville. "Hey, Neville, want to join us to study for the OWLS during the week?"

"Are you sure?" Neville looked hopeful. "I don't want to be a bother. I...I mean I'm probably not going to do well."

"We'd be glad to have you, Neville," Hermione assured the nervous young man.

"Thanks," Neville replied looking like Christmas had come early.

A short time later, Harry and Hermione were closing in on Professor McGonagall's office, holding hands. "Should we be concerned about Umbridge or the Inquisitorial Squad finding out about us?" Harry asked.

....

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