Disclaimer: I own absolutely Nothing

Warning: This chapter contains the topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I am not in anyway an expert on the topic.

"Hermione?" Harry called out as he had just entered Grimmauld Place, hanging up his coat. "Hermione?" Harry called again. He began walking down the hallway, peering into a couple of rooms to see if she was inside.

"Hermione?" He called out one more time stopping as he heard a soft hum from inside the library. Gently opening the door, he leaned against its frame, smiling while taking in the scene. Hermione sat with a small bundle in her arms rocking back and forth while the baby cooed and giggled. Love filled his heart and contentment filled Harry to the brim. Hermione looked up directly at harry with a smile that made his heart race. Merlin, he loved this woman. Did he tell her yet?

"How was your day love?" she asked as she tilted her head. Harry smiled back at her as he walked in the room.

"Better now, How is the little one?" He asked seeing a little peak of curly black hair from the top of its head.

"The little one is doing just fine. Tired and ready for bed like their Daddy." She smiled, if possible even wider, "want to hold the baby before they go to sleep?" As Harry began to reach for the baby they heard a loud crash at the door. Harry instantly looked for his wand but couldn't find it. Another loud crash was heard, this time with a shatter sound following. Quickly looking to Hermione he did the only thing he could think of.

"Hermione, it's him! Take the baby and run! I'll hold him off!"

"No! I won't leave you! Not then and not now!"

Another loud crash.

"Don't argue, the baby is going to need you! Now go!"

Hermione, fearful took the baby and ran from the room.

"Harry Potter…"a voice rang out followed by a familiar melody from years past. "Come and seek us where our voices sound…an hour long you have to look…the prospects black, it won't come back…"

"Harry mate!"

Harry turned around quickly, relieved to see Ron.

"Ron! Hurry we need to leave! Vol—!"

"Don't say his name!" Ron hissed, "Why didn't you tell me you put your name in the goblet?" Ron asked frowning.

"Ron, I didn't put my name in! Listen where is my wife? Where is my kid?" Harry asked frantically. Why didn't Ron realize they were in danger?

"Relax mate," Ron said, "I'm sure Ginny is fine."

"Ginny?" Harry asked confused, "Ginny isn't my wife, Hermione is!"

"Of course Ginny is your wife, don't you remember?" Ron asked confused. "Besides, Hagrid said to follow the spiders." Grimacing he asked, "why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?"

"Harry!" Hermione's voice echoed in the void. Harry turned around finding himself in the clearing of the Forbidden Forest. "Hermione," Harry thought, "I need to find her before Bellatrix hurts her!"

"I don't know where the sword is!" she cried

"HERMIONE!" Harry yelled only to be answered with silence.

"HERMIONE!" Harry yelled again.

"Harry Potter," the hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up as the cold voice continued. "Come to die…" it trailed followed by maniacal laughter. Fear took hold of him as he dropped to his knees.

"Harry!" Hermione's voice rang distantly. He quickly looked around. "Harry wake up!" Her voice got louder and yet she was still nowhere in sight.

"Hermione!" harry yelled one last time.

"You'll lose all that you love, including your mudblood."

"NO!" Harry yelled as he sat bolt upright just as the sickly green light sped toward him.

"Harry, shh…. It's okay, I'm here." Hermione said gently grabbing his hand.

"Hermione?" He gasped, "We're safe?" he asked.

"Yes, we're safe" she assured him. "We're right here in your room in Grimmauld."

Harry felt his heart beat slow down as he began to regain his senses and came back to his surroundings. It had been exactly one week since his resolve to ask Hermione out. On that note, as he put on his glasses he looked at her face, frowning at himself for waking her. He hadn't had a nightmare in a while, and for some reason he forgot to put up his usual silencing charm. Since his revelation at the cottage, he began initiating more touches. As he felt her hand in his, he laced their fingers. This action, if it took Hermione by surprise, she didn't let on.

"I'm sorry I woke you up." He said.

Hermione gave a stern look. "Nonsense Harry. One, never be sorry for that. Two, I was actually heading back to my room when I heard you yelling my name." Looking him square in the eye and taking in his expression to catch any possible lie, she asked, "Must have been a horrible nightmare. Do you want to talk about it?"

Harry paused. How would or could he describe his nightmare? It started as a pleasant dream, beginning with him and her, as a husband and wife with a child. Knowing Hermione, she would probably just say the reason he dreamed of her and them was because, of their recent visit to the cottage. That was not how he wanted to even hint that he was in love with her. He also knew she didn't deserve to be lied to.

"Harry?" her voice broke through his thoughts, her gaze flickering between his face and their interlaced fingers. His gaze froze her in place. It was as though he was trying to commit every detail of her face to memory. Hermione's heart began to race, as did her mind. She knew he still had nightmares. She did too. Hermione fought hard not to blush as she remembered her dream turned nightmare. In the beginning she was holding a baby that looked so much like Harry. She remembered feeling happy, blissful in that moment as she saw Harry lean in a door-frame, looking dashing as ever.

Then she heard that monster's voice and Harry telling her to take the baby and run. It was as though they were reliving his parents last moment and her heart shattered. Before waking up, the last thing she remembered happening was Bellatrix demanding to tell her where she got the sword. After Hermione woke up in a cold sweat, it took her a moment to realize she was still in the Black library.

Her usual logical and rational mind however would not calm down till she knew Harry was safe. Just as she stood she heard Harry yell out her name. Making a mad dash down the hall, she entered his room without hesitation to see him tossing and turning, trapped in a nightmare of his own. She gently approached him; she had read up on post-traumatic stress disorder shortly after the war. At her parent's suggestion, she found someone to talk to. She had dragged Harry and Ron with her to see a professional at St. Mungo's Hospital. It seemed to help, having someone listen to them and process everything as well as receiving tips and advice about what might help them. She also knew that waking anyone up right away from a nightmare was not recommended. Waiting was the hardest part. The more he yelled her name, the harder it was.

She observed him and when she thought he was close to waking up, she couldn't help herself anymore. She began gently calling his name. Only when she started noticing that he was closer to waking up did she raise her voice. She only hoped that her action of calling for him didn't prolong his nightmare. When his eyes snapped open, she saw him looking around in a panic before he sat up screaming out. At least he didn't wake up with his wand at the ready this time. Him holding her hand was much more preferable.

Holding his gaze, trying to fight the blush that wanted to take over, she thought Harry almost smirked as if he noticed her reaction.

"I don't know how to describe this one." Harry stated, "The important thing is that we're here, you're—we're safe." His next question took even him by surprise.

"...'Mione… I know you're tired, but would you stay?" Harry fought a grimace. He just blurted it out. "At least, stay up with me, I mean. For just a little while? I could make us some tea." He fumbled with his words hoping he hadn't somehow offended his best friend. Hermione gave a small smile.

"Oh move over." She said as she moved the covers, she settled in beside him. This wasn't the first time either one of them had kept the other company after a nightmare. It was their usual habit, especially after the war was over. They never left each other's side. In fact, it had taken quite a bit of time to sleep in their respective rooms again. This however was the first time that the request for company was spoken aloud. The way in which Hermione had responded to his verbal request made Harry smile. The first time she ever said that phrase to him, in her bossiest tone, was in their first year when they were running away from Filch. He couldn't help but laugh and Hermione's laughter followed. Harry grabbed her hand, once again lacing their fingers, his thumb mindlessly moving back and forth against the back of her hand.

"Thank you Hermione, I need that." Harry looked at the witch next to him. She didn't know it, but in that moment, he felt complete. Before his courage could leave him, he gripped her and as she was getting read y to let his go. Looking at him curiously, Harry raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand. This time Hermione couldn't help the surprise showing on her face. "I mean it 'Mione," his eyes fixed on hers, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Harry nearly laughed at Hermione's expression. He wasn't quite sure, but he felt he managed to achieve something rare. For once Hermione Granger had no response. He wanted to do more than just kiss her hand. He desperately wanted to kiss her, hold her close and savor the feeling of her in his arms. Unfortunately, now wasn't the right time. He couldn't help but chuckle and that seemed enough to break her out of her thoughts. She was blushing like mad. He had been initiating more hugs and hand holding since they visited Godrics Hollow. Earlier in the week, he went with her into Flourish and Blotts and grabbed her by the waist before some kid could knock her over. He also hadn't immediately let go claiming he had to make sure some nefarious customer wasn't going to knock over his unsuspecting bookworm. To say he had been acting odd was a bit of an understatement to her.

"Well," she thought, "even if he's finally just being comfortable with being affectionate… He only see's me as a friend. He's just feeling more confident in his own skin…" Hermione's thoughts were running rampant as she tried to identify why her best friend was acting so differently around her. Then, there was the feeling of hope again. Maybe he might see her as more than just his brainy best friend. She didn't want to ignite that again, but as she glanced toward Harry, she saw that he was fast asleep. He looked so peaceful, no signs of anything to indicate distress. Her heart warmed at the sight.

Settling in, she felt his arm snake around her waist and bring her in closer. Without thinking about it, Hermione instantly snuggled into his chest and her eyes closed. Before she fell asleep, she wasn't sure if it was wishful thinking, but she could have sworn she heard Harry say her name and three words. I love you.

For that moment, Hermione would pretend that the first beginning part of her dream was real, where she and Harry were happy, in love, and with a family of their very own. She could no longer deny it. She was irrevocably in love with her best friend.

Author's Note: Thank you so much everyone for those of you who reviewed and favorited this story, and or chose to follow it. It was truly a humbling response. After considering the story itself, it ended up feeling like there was more to explore. I have even started writing a part three and will hopefully have it up soon. Again thank you to all those who responded with this story, I am truly humbled and thankful for all the input. I hope everyone enjoys this next installment.