Accidentally in Love

Chapter 1: Messed up kisses

It was over. Finally. After all These years, after all the pain and the fighting it was finally done. Not even death had prevented him from winning. Tom Riddle's lifeless body hit the ground with an infinite sound and Harry stopped breathing for a moment, overwhelmed and confused, as if he was waiting for Voldemort to jump up and continue fighting. But he didn't. He was gone. Finally.

Harry didn't hear the screams, didn't feel the hands touching him, didn't notice the rain that had started. The only thing he noticed was Hermione running towards him, throwing her arms around him and nearly knocking him over. The only real thing in the world seemed to be the warmth of her body, the smell of her hair, the shine in her eyes and her voice whispering „It's over". He started breathing and his heart rate sped up. For a blissfull moment everything was good. More than good, it was perfect. It felt real.

Unfortunately it didn't last long. Other arms came hugging him, other voices tried talking to him, everybody wanted to be close to the Chosen One, to the boy that lived. They didn't notice, that he only wanted to be back in Hermiones arms. And they didn't even seem to care. He'd ended it. The war was over. They wanted to celebrate, to mourn and to be close to him. Nobody cared that Harry was tired, that he'd gone through hell and back and that he wanted to rest. He needed time. And a shower, a sandwich and a bed.

Ron finally hugged him and Ginny came up next. She buried her head in his neck and gave it a light kiss. "That was incredible." She whispered and Harry sighed before pulling back softly. He didn't feel like it was incredible. He felt like the only thing that was incredible was actually how lucky he'd been. But he didn't try to explain to Ginny. Tears were shining in her eyes and he just smiled reassuringly, trying to tell her with his eyes that everything would be good. He didn't know if things would turn out the way she hoped they would, but at the moment he couldn't care about that. His gaze locked with Hermione, who was standing next to Ron, looking at him. No, things probably wouldn't turn out the way Ginny expected.

Everything after those moments passed in a blur for Harry. He did what was expected and went through the Great Hall to thank everybody and he looked at those who had died and listened to their story, even though he knew they would follow him in his dreams. But it was the least he could do. Some losses were so painful that Harry felt like finally breaking down. He needed to be strong a bit longer. But it was hard. Seeing Tonks, Lupin and Fred was like ripping his heart out and tossing it to the ground. They had died because of him. He knew that this thought was stupid. He knew that it was Riddle's fault. He was the one who'd killed all of them. But still, Harry couldn't stop feeling guilty. Guilty because their lives had ended and his not.

He went to Dumbledores office with only Hermione and Ron. He repaired his wand with the Elder Wand and talked to Dumbledores portrait. He didn't want to use the wand. He wouldn't go looking for the stone either. The only thing Harry wanted to keep was the invisibility cloak that belonged to him already. Dumbledore agreed and then it was time to say goodbye for now. And for the first time in 7 years, Harry didn't feel sad about leaving Hogwarts.

It was decided that Kingsley would temporary become the new Minister of Magic. Besides, Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn and all other teachers decided to spend the summer reconstructing Hogwarts. So there was nothing left to do and finally the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry left for the Burrow. There would be a huge funeral for everybody who had died later on. Probably in Hogwarts, where they planned to make a cemetery to commemorate everybody who'd lost his life in the battle. But it would take a couple of days, a lot of organizing and preparations. Harry was glad he didn't have to take care of it. He just wanted to sleep. Even though he was afraid of the dreams, he craved sleeping anyway.

Everybody was very quiet. Molly couldn't stop crying, George didn't crack a smile or made a joke, Ron was staring quietly into the burning fire while Ginny had her chin resting on her knees, also staring into the flames. Harry excused himself and took a long shower. He didn't want to go back. He didn't want to think of the big hole Fred had left behind. He wanted to forget…

Harry finally went to his bed in Ron's room and fell into a deep and fortunately dreamless sleep. It didn't last long though. Soon he was tortured with dreams about Voldemort killing everybody he cared about and finally Harry woke up sweating, his heart racing. It was still dark outside and Ron was breathing evenly. Harry touched his scar out of habit, but it didn't hurt, it didn't tingle, it didn't make him feel strange. It was just a scar. The Horcrux was gone. His heart rate turned back to normal but he was wide awake. Finally he couldn't sit there any longer, so he stood up and left the room quietly.

He spend some time outside, watching the first rays of sunrise, all kinds of thoughts going through his mind. And then he heard her steps and the thoughts stilled, as if her simple presence kept him at peace. He didn't have to look at her, he knew she was standing right next to him.

"I couldn't sleep" he finally explained, well aware of the fact how senseless such a comment was. Hermione didn't mind. She never did.

"Same here." She whispered.

And that was it. Just like that they stood next to each other, looking at the rising sun, feeling completely at ease even though everything was so messed up. It had always been like that with her. Easy. Simple. Instinct. Harry grabbed her hand and their fingers interlaced. She felt warm. Warm and steady. A constant in his life he didn't want to miss. They looked innocent, like two friends holding hands, comforting each other with their simple presence. But they were far from it. Harry glanced sideways and locked eyes with Hermione. The sunrise was immediately forgotten. Thousands of images played in his head, images he should have suppressed but that would be as if someone told him to stop breathing – not possible. He could see in her amber eyes, that she thought the same.

Harry didn't plan to do it. He didn't really think about it, nor did he consider not doing it. He was simply acting on instinct when he bend down, softly touching Hermiones lips with his own, as if he wanted to ask permission. As if he wasn't sure if she would open up or back away. As if it was their first kiss. She buried her hands in his hair, pressing her body close to his and every small bit of restraint he might have felt just vanished. The kiss turned from soft to passionate in an instant and Harry could feel his whole body humming in response. How could something that felt so right be so wrong at the same time?

They wouldn't have stopped kissing. Harry knew that things would have probably gotten out of control. They always did with Hermione. But the sudden bang of a door and Mrs. Weasleys voice startled them and made them back away as if they'd been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Hermione took another step back, her cheeks flushed, her lips red from their kiss. She looked so beautiful in the light of the sunrise that it nearly took Harrys breath away.

"I should go." She whispered, a confused look on her face. "We shouldn't…, I mean not here…, what I'm trying to say is…" she stammered and Harry took her hand, looking at her intently. She seemed to caml down immediately.

"I know. I understand." He simply said and she relaxed, her shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and sadness. He felt the same way. It was so messed up.

"I'm proud of you." She finally whispered and Harry knew what she was talking about. Her eyes were so sincere and loving that his heart missed a beat.

"I would have failed instantly without you." He said honestly which made her smile gently.

"I want to kiss you again." He said all of a sudden and her smile vanished, replaced by a blush that made him want to hold her even more.

He expected her to tell him that they had a certain responsibility, and that they couldn't go on like this. That now was not the place and not the time and that they had to stop being so damn reckless. Instead she surprised him once more by saying:

"Me too."

They both looked at each other, not moving, not saying anything. It had always been simple with Hermione. Easy. Natural. Harry could hardly believe that it had taken him so long to notice. Maybe too long. He was well aware that he might be too late. And the thought scared him in a way he couldn't explain. They both went back to the house silently and started helping Mrs. Weasley with breakfast. Her face was red and her eyes puffy. She'd probably cried all night. Harrys heart tightened in his chest. Things were so messed up.

This was Chapter 1 of my new story, Accidentally in Love. I hope you enjoyed reading and maybe you have time to leave a little review Any kinds of comments are appreciated. Please don't forget I'm actually German, so if there are any grammer or vocabulary mistakes, don't kill me ;-)