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It rained that day despite it being July. That day in the rain was magical, marking the moment Hermione reached pure ecstasy, searing into her soul alive. It was a day she would remember forever because it was the day she had fallen in love with a man-a man who disappeared as quickly as he came. Many years have passed since Hermione last saw him. The pain still seared into her mind, but to her she still loved him despite the destruction he had caused.
July 1919
In need of an adventure by herself, Hermione had decided to take a stroll around the park that day in July. She was the daughter of a renowned dentist who owned multiple practices throughout London. Her life was hardly her own, and despite dreaming for more, she knew she couldn’t ever wield it. Earlier that week, her father had informed her that she must be wed by the end of the year or be sent to a nunnery across the sea. Time was running out, but she had no desire to marry Draco Malfoy, a son of a family friend who was a bigot. A man far too full of himself to be taken seriously. Yet, she also couldn't bear the thought of being separated from Blaise and Ara.
She sighed heavily, looking up at the sky for a sign. Families nearby enjoyed barbecues and simple fun while children laughed. She twirled her parasol, shielding herself from the dim light. Her dress ruffled in the breeze, and the music of a quartet filled the air. She walked with a hum in her step, giggling as she made her way to the top of the hill. Smiling, she twirled and eventually fell back onto the grass. The sun soaked into her body, and she slowly closed her eyes, panting from the exertion.
She sighed heavily, looking up at the sky for a sign trying to see some kind of sign that could point her in the right direction for her life. Families nearby enjoyed barbecues and simple fun while children laughed. She twirled her parasol, shielding herself from the light that was slowly disappearing behind the clouds. Her dress ruffled in the breeze, and the music of a quartet filled the air. She swayed side to side, walking with a hum in her step, giggling, making her way to the top of the hill where all could be seen. Smiling, she twirled and eventually fell back onto the grass. The last of the sun soaked into her body, and she slowly closed her eyes, panting heavily.
"Why, I never expected to see such a beautiful girl here alone, lying down." Hermione’s eyes shot open. She sat up to find a handsome man with short, dark ebony hair slicked back. His vibrant green eyes were mysterious. They were captivating, sending shivers through her body. She stood, flattening her dress and brushing away blades of grass.
"Hello, my name is Harry. Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you, miss," he said, extending his hand.
"My name is Hermione. Hermione Granger. The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Potter."
"No, no. Mr. Potter was my father. Just call me Harry." He flashed a smile and brought her hand to his lips. Her heart beat faster under his gaze. Suddenly, raindrops began to fall.
Tilting her head up slightly she mumbled, "Who knew we could get rain in July," Harry chuckled, his thumb rubbing against her knuckles.
Remembering that meeting always brought a smile to her face, followed quickly by a sharp ache. Their love had started out simple and for a slight moment almost tangible, but quickly it morphed into something impossible to grasp. Like sand slipping through her fingers. She had wanted him, but in the end everything broke, he left, never to be seen again.
August 1919
Hermione had informed her father she would not marry Draco Malfoy. That she would marry a man of her choosing, refusing to leave her family behind. To her surprise, her father agreed quickly.
Two months had passed since she met Harry, and she fell deeper in love with every encounter they had. One afternoon, Harry led her to a secluded, decorated area of the park—a private oasis with a small table and chairs. He pulled out her chair and sat across from her.
"This place is so beautiful, Harry," she whispered. He squeezed her hand, kissing the palm of her hand and tracing his fingers up her arm. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. After a few moments of pure unadulterated bliss, he then pulled out a small box.
Hermione's heart pounded against her chest. Harry moved away from her, dropping to one knee. "Hermione Jean Granger, would you do me the honor of marrying me?" With her eyes welling up with tears, she nodded. And with a wide smile he slid the ring onto her finger, engaging in a long and deep kiss. That day they shared an intimacy filled with pure love. It was the day she gave her heart and herself entirely to the man she loved.
September 1919
Hermione decided to introduce her father to Harry for the first time. It was going pleasantly well—that was until Draco had decided to make his grand entrance. Draco had not only sat beside Hermione that made her uneasy with unwanted touches, he had also provoked Harry and despite Harry politely telling him to back off, Draco had not done so. Leading to a fight breaking out, and her brothers had to pull the men apart.
Outside the house, Hermione began to apologize, "I am so sorry I didn't rea-"
Harry had leaned in to cut her off with a searing kiss. "It’s okay, love," he reassured her, despite the bruise forming on his cheek he was more concerned over her well-being.
Hermione slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, she said. "Everything will be ok, I promised."
But Little did she know nothing was going to be the same after that day. They were to get married by the end of November.
November 1919
The day of the wedding started off magical. The calm before the storm. Hermione had been in the middle of getting ready when there was a knock at the door. "Come in" she said as she grabbed her robe not wanting whoever was coming in to see the dress just put on. Her usually puffed out hair styled in a sleek back updo. Her eyes looked towards the mirror seeing that it was Draco who came to see her. Her heart sank as she then got up from the chair, backing away against the dresser. "What in Godric's heart are you doing here?"
Draco stopped mid way from where she stood. "Gosh Harry is one lucky guy." His eyes roam her body, making her nervous. "I want to call it a truce, I am truly sorry for what transpired the last time we had seen each other." He comes over to take Hermione’s hand. "We have been best friends ever since we were kids." He rubs her hand slowly causing her to tremble. "I will always be here for you no matter what happens. I care for you like my own sister Hermione."
Hermione’s mind went blank, looking away from her former friend. Her hand on his chest, trying to push him away from her. He sighs. "Well then I'll let you be, baby doll." He soon backs away from her and leaves her trembling in fear.
After some time it was the start of the ceremony and Harry was nowhere to be found.
Her heart was thumping as she began to feel sick to the stomach. This is not supposed to happen. Hermione began to hyperventilate, her vision blurring. It was a few minutes before they were to walk.
She kept reminding herself that today was supposed to be a small wedding, a small and lovely day, very intimate between Hermione, Harry and her family. She was unsure of what exactly was happening. It wasn't until moments later when her father came over to her to inform her what was to follow. He had told her she would walk down the aisle either way. When she looked up at him, her face looked pale. You did something. The words left unspoken, but hung in the room as Hermione locked eyes with her father, eyes filled with tears.
"You don't mean?" Mr. Granger was silent, already knowing who was going to be walking down the aisle with her. She shook my head. "No, I rather go to that nunnery than marry Draco!" Her father took hold of my arm with a heavy hand.
"This isn't up for discussion. Harry isn't here, he left, do you think he loved you, he left you at the altar, so might as well throw it back into his face and show everyone else not just him that you are a Granger and no one will best us my dear." Her teared filled eyes were being wiped by her father. "That bastard made my daughter cry, I would never forgive him. I will hunt him down, baby girl, I swear it." His voice gave off the faux concerned, but Hermione knew deep down this was a trap, and she fell in it. Her father kissed the top of her head, hugging her tightly.
She knew right there and then she was to marry if it was Harry or Draco, in the end it was set in stone. As the doors opened, there stood Draco smiling at her. ‘I can never leave now.’ With a deep breath and a heavy heart, Hermione began to walk.
April 1925
Five and half years have passed since that day. A few months after the wedding, Hermione realized she was pregnant with Harry’s child. She gave birth to a boy named James, who was her pride and joy, though Draco resented the boy. A year later, she had a daughter, Cassiopeia. While she loved her daughter, the circumstances of her conception haunted her. But that didn’t stop her from loving her and having the need to protect her from the monster in her home.
Today they had decided to take a trip to the park, Hermione watched the children play on the very hill where she first met Harry. James looked almost exactly like his father, save for Hermione's brown hair. Her brother, Blaise, joined her on the blanket.
"He looks so much like him, it's scary," Blaise whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't stop you from marrying Draco. The bastard doesn't even touch the kids." They both watched the two kids play
She trembled slightly as she remembered all those days she spent with Harry. Blaise looked down at her as he kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry, I should have stopped you from marrying Draco that day." He sighed as he looked over to the kids. "Bastard doesn't even touch them, he is the worst." She looked up at the sky, sighing heavily.
"For some reason I cannot forget him, regardless of what he did, I still love him. It is so strange." Silence filled the space around them. She sighed as she began to tear up, looking down at her lap, she took a deep breath. "This spot was the first time I had ever met him." Blaise looked back at her as he rubbed the top of her head. "I was young, I fell in love, gosh I was so stupid." She said trembling
"You were 18 of course you were stupid."
“Ouch don't put salt into the womb dumbass.” She socked him on his shoulder, inhaling sharply, crying some more.
"But guess what that's life, and you have James, he is the only thing besides that ring that Harry left behind." He lifts his sister's chin up as he wipes her tears away. "Draco is never going to be Harry, you love Harry despite everything, you still love him." She looked up at him as she gave him another sad smile. She looked back to James carrying a sleepy Cassiopeia on his back.
"Mama, I think Cassiopeia is tired." James cried out, Hermione's eyes wandered to see her little girl's eyes were barely being kept open. Blaise gets up, picks her up and cradles her in his arms. James comes over to her sitting on her lap. Kissing the top of his head with a soft smile, tears all dried up now. "Mama, are you sad?" Hermione turned to look down towards James.
"No, I am perfectly fine." She kissed his cheek, whipping away the last of her tears "I love you James."
She smiled as James said to me. "I love you too Mama."
Hermione held onto James as she looked up at the sky. ‘Where are you Harry, I hope you are alive.’ Out of the corner of her eye she sees a dark tall figure.
Hermione's heart began to race as she was about to get up, Blaise called out to her. She answered him and when she turned back the figure was gone. Her eyes blinked as she lost sight of the figure.
July 1925
It was the five-year anniversary of her first meeting with Harry. She had taken James to the park while Cassiopeia stayed home to rest from the flu. At the spot where Harry had proposed, a man stood waiting.
"It's been a while, Hermione." It felt heavy on her heart as Hermione's eyes steadied on the figure before her.
"Harry?" she choked up a bit, letting go of James's hand to go to Harry. Her hands moved on their own, guiding them against his cup his cheeks. He took hold of her hands, looking into Hermione’s brown eyes. His dark green eyes gave Hermione comfort, but was quickly replaced by the hurt and pain of their shared past. Hermione pulled away and slapped him. He slowly turns to face her. "How could you come back here, especially today of all the time in the world,why today? Why did you leave me you bloody bastard?" Her voice rose with anger.
Harry looked at James and knelt before the boy, sensing the truth. "I'm sorry for what happen all those years ago, I hurt you so badly and I left you a kid without knowing any of it. I was forced to leave," Harry explained, his voice trembling. "I was told that if I married you, they would kill you and I would go to jail for your death. I didn't want to lose you, I love you too much to ever want you dead, I would take my own life if you weren't on this earth. I couldn't lose you Mione. And I couldn’t risk your life." His voice broke, causing Hermione's heart to break even more. This confirmed that it was either Draco or her father, or worse both who had caused her the real pain.
For a few moments the silence filled the air around them, feeling like a bubble. Their eyes never left one another unless it was towards James.
Without missing another beat Hermione wrapped her arms around them both. "Please just promise me you won't ever leave again."
She sat on a bench with James on her lap and Harry kneeling before them. "James darling," she whispered. James looked up towards her as she kissed the top of his head.
"Yes mama?" He looked at Harry and then at me as I smiled.
"I want to tell you a secret, promise not to tell Mr. Meanies?" James smiled as he nodded, clapping his hands together.
"I wanna know, I wanna know, what is the secret?" Hermione giggled as Harry kneels down in front of them. He puts his hands on both sides of me, trapping them both.
"This man in front of us, is your father." James looks up to Harry, reaching up to touch his face slowly. Harry’s eyes welled up with tears, and his warm smile reassures James that it is the truth. James inhaled sharply and with a toothy grin had uttered.
"I am glad mama, mr. meanie isn't my papa." The pair of them chuckle at this comment.
“I am glad about that too.” Hermione whispered, pressing a kiss against her son’s head.
July 1935
At thirty-five and pregnant with her fourth baby, Hermione felt that life couldn't have been any better. Sighing happily, she gazed out over the Pacific Ocean. James was fourteen years old and Cassiopeia was thirteen, they were close, and they were deeply loved. Hermione and Harry had a set of twins both aged 5.
In the end, her divorce from Draco had meant the final demise of her relationship with her parents. It was the last nail in the coffin when she discovered that both Draco and her parents were to blame for what had happened to Harry. The threats—all of it. The years of hell she had endured with that monster were entirely her parents' fault. She had never once blamed Harry for any of it.
When she finally cast the Malfoy name aside, Hermione moved out and took the children with her. Soon after, the rest of the ugly truth came to light. Draco’s affair with Blaise’s girlfriend, Ginny, and Ginny's tragic death while giving birth to Draco’s child. The baby had survived—a healthy little girl named Carina, who was now eleven years old. Blaise had taken Carina in, refusing to abandon her, and desperate to ensure she was never raised by Draco or their parents.
Blaise had moved to the West Coast with the Potter family. He was the sibling who cared for Hermione the most, and she had deeply wanted his support in her new life with Harry.
Glancing over at Harry, Hermione watched him playing a game of football with James. She then turned her gaze toward her daughters, Cassiopeia, Carina, and Lily who had taken shelter under the shade of a nearby tree. Finally, her eyes drifted back to Blaise, who was holding Nico.
Before long, the children and her brother headed inside for dinner, leaving Hermione and Harry completely alone. She walked over to where Harry stood, a warm smile gracing her face. He smiled back.
"Hello, my queen," he murmured. Taking her hand, he pulled her flush against his chest and lifted her slightly off the ground, spinning her around. He pressed a hungry, passionate kiss to her rosy lips. Today marked their 8-year wedding anniversary, and exactly sixteen years since the day they had first met. He held her tightly as he finally pulled away, leaving her breathless and flushed. Rubbing his thumb gently against her cheek, he whispered, "I love you, Hermione Potter," before kissing her once more, leaving her breathless.
She whispered her response against his lips. "And I love you, Harry Potter."
A few moments later, the first stray raindrops began to fall, starting a slow, gentle shower. They both looked up at the sky, letting the rain wash over them just like it had on that fateful day years ago. Laughing softly, they looked back into each other's eyes and spoke in unison, "Who knew we could get rain in July?" They shared another passionate kiss.
“Harry, I finally know the answer I was looking for all this time," Hermione said softly. "You and I will be together forever and ever, right my love?.”
"Even when we are no longer young and beautiful, I will always choose you," Harry whispered against her lips, as the rain seemed to wash away all the lingering pain of their pasts. "Even in the next life, you are it for me. No matter what evil we face, even if he has no nose, I will always choose you to have by my side."
“As will I, always.” she replied.