Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but boy, Harmony owns my soul.

Author's Note: OMG! Has it really been almost two years?! Lord, how time does fly! But now, as the clock moves past the midnight hour of Christmas where I am, I'm finally posting a little something for you, my lovely readers!

Words: 700

Rated: K

Setting: right after the Yule Ball, in continuity with Chapter 11.

Just some quiet Harmony fluff for y'all. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Peace on Earth

It was well after midnight when the last Gryffindors dragged their feet up the stairs to their respective dormitories, with the exception of two, currently snuggled together on the sofa facing the dimming fire.

Harry laid on his back, Hermione nestled in the crook of his arm so she was cushioned between his body and the sofa. A cozy quilt covered them, Summoned by Harry's wand when it became clear that they would not be leaving this spot anytime soon. Hermione had dozed off a while ago, her soft breathing matching the rise and fall of his own chest. Tenderly, he ran his fingers through her hair, marveling over the lack of bushy curls. The perfect hairdo she sported during the ball had long ago fallen apart, but the smoothness she achieved for the occasion still remained. Still, Harry mused, watching her tresses slip through his fingers like water, it made him feel oddly nostalgic for her usual, messier style.

A log crackled in the hearth, shooting a few sparks out, keeping the dying fire alive. Harry closed his eyes for a moment, reveling the feel of Hermione's hair, the intimacy of her body curled up on top of his, the fact that this dreaded night of dancing in front of three school bodies somehow went off without a hitch, and to top it all off, that Hermione Granger, his best friend, brightest witch of her age, was now his girlfriend.

It was too good to be real.

"You're amazing," he murmured quietly, pressing a kiss atop her head.

"Mmm, you are too..." her muffled voice answered.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

Hermione shifted and sat up; even the potion's effects on her hair were beginning to wear off, for she rather resembled having a messy lion's mane as she blearily yawned and stretched. Harry thought it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.

"Not really," she finally said in response to his question. "I was just - mmm, resting my eyes," she yawned.

"We really should go to bed," Harry said, half-hoping she'd protest while suspecting it to be unlikely.

Surprisingly, to his secret delight, she shook her head. "It's Christmas, Harry, and Hogwarts just hosted a huge party. I think we can afford losing a little sleep. Who needs s-s-s-sleep, anyway?" Her protracted yawn broke up the word as she attempted unsuccessfully to stifle it.

Harry grinned. "I do believe that Hermione Granger, model student and future Head Girl of Hogwarts, is suggesting that we pull an all-nighter? I'm all astonishment."

"Oh, hush, Harry James Potter. I'm merely saying that there's no reason to move when we're quite comfortable already." With a characteristic little huff, she rolled her shoulders and instantly snuggled back down into the "nest" between the sofa's cushions and her boyfriend's side.

"You're saying you wanna sleep like this?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Supposing we get caught?"

"Like they'll believe we're doing anything untoward. You're with me."

Harry laughed. Just like Hermione. Still sensible, even when half-asleep. He stroked her slowly-curling-back-into-natural-bushiness hair, smiling fondly at her sleeping face.

"As you wish," he whispered, pressing another kiss on her forehead.

Hermione mumbled something incoherent before lifting her head sleepily and kissing Harry on the mouth. It wasn't a proper kiss, her lips more or less missed the correct location only truly kissed the corner of his mouth, but Harry smiled and "kissed" back nonetheless. Hermione smiled with her eyes closed and returned to her cuddling position, her arms snaked about Harry's waist.

Harry laid silently for a while, absentmindedly stroking her hair and gazing into the glowing embers of the fire. All was silent, the world seemed at peace. Here, in his newfound girlfriend and longtime friend's embrace, the cold wintry world remained trapped outside, the snugness of Gryffindor Tower and the ever-burning hearth keeping them safe and warm, here, he could forget his troubles.

Here, he could forget the Triwizard Tournament.

Here, he could forget the mysterious stirrings in the wizardry world.

Here, he could forget his ominous dreams and aching scar.

For the first time ever, he had a Christmas where "peace of earth" seemed truly possible.

If only while he held Hermione Granger in his arms.

AN: Short, I know, but I had to post SOMETHING after all this time. Just a little thing I whipped up in time for the holiday. ^.^