Grains of Sand

Author's Note: Ok, this is the part I really wanted to write, the first chapter sucked, but it was necessary for this part, cuz I need it for its significance. So as long as you skimmed the other chapter, you should get this one. This takes place at the summer after their 7th year. Now lets pretend that there was lots of love and crap between their 5th and 7th years…I'm too lazy to write that much. So, anyways, sorry this is probably one of my worst stories, but I'm bored, so stuff it. Everybody wave to my space monkey…Bobbo (that's pronounced Bob-o) He's my muse, get used to him. I do not own Harry Potter, if you think I do…send me money, lol. Just kidding, don't…that's probably illegal or something. And I know there's probably not a Yule Ball anymore…but hahahahahahahaha there is now.

Chapter Two: Pebble in the Sea

          It was snowing lightly outside, coating the ground in thick, fluffy snow. The trees were bowed under the weight of the snow upon their limbs, and the whole tranquility of it all made the world seem at peace. Harry and Hermione, in their 7th and final year at Hogwarts, walked hand in hand across the grounds, leaving deep ruts in the snow. They sat together beneath a tree and she leaned against him with a contented sigh. His arms encircled her, pulling her even closer to him.

          "I love you, Hermione," Harry said suddenly. Hermione looked up at him, startled, then smiled slowly.

          "Love you too," she replied, kissing his chin softly. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. She turned in his grip, facing him head on. She never wanted the moment to end, however the matter of oxygen decided otherwise. They parted, smiling lovingly at each other.

          "So, coming to the Yule Ball with me?" he asked with a grin. They were already going out, but it was still fun to ask.

          "I dunno, I think Collin might ask me," she replied with a grin of her own. Harry's jaw dropped.

          "He's too short!" he protested. Hermione laughed.

          "Of course I'm going with you, silly," she said, swatting him playfully on the shoulder. Then she gasped. "That's tonight isn't it?" she asked. Harry nodded slowly. "Ah! I've got to start getting ready!" she cried, standing up. She brushed the snow from her clothing.

          "Hermione! That's hours away!" Harry said, rising to his feet with a groan.

          "I know, but this is the most special one! We're Head Boy and Head Girl, and its our last year! You don't want me looking like a hag now do you?" she asked.

          "You never look like a hag to me," he said, drawing her into his embrace once again. Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled at the compliment nonetheless. He kissed her softly then released her. "I guess I'll have to manage somehow without you," he said dramatically, fluttering his eyelashes the best he could. Hermione giggled and kissed him. "I might be able to manage a bit longer then…" he said. She kissed him once more and made a mad dash towards the castle as she jiggled the branch above Harry's head, dumping its weight of snow on him. Harry shook his head, sending the snow flying, then chased after her. He caught up to her in the threshold of the castle and grabbed her. She laughed as he spun her around to face him. He tickled her mercilessly sending her into fits of giggles. He finally ceased his torture with a smirk, her face was flushed from the cold outside and her laughing spasms.

          "Punishment: no kissing for you," he said wickedly. Hermione pouted. They stood there for a minute until Harry said, "Okay, that's enough punishment for now." She grinned at him before their lips found each other. They broke apart a moment later at the sound of someone giggling, and turned to see they were being observed by a group of 3rd year students passing them in the hall. Harry grinned at them and said to Hermione, "We'll continue this discussion later," which only made the students giggle even more. They walked up the stairs together to the Gryffindor common room and were admitted by a rather merry looking Fat Lady.

          "Getting into the holiday spirit I see," she said with a knowing smile. The two simply smiled at her and climbed into the portrait hole.

          "Well, now I really need to get going," Hermione remarked heading up to her room. "I'll see you later," she said, blowing him a kiss over her shoulder. Harry sat himself down on a couch and gazed into the fire. The portrait hole opened behind him and he turned to see Ron hand in hand with Lavender Brown. Harry grinned at them. Ron drew Lavender to him and kissed her lightly and released her reluctantly. She smiled at him and waved at Harry before making her way up to her dorm.

          "Impressive," Harry said with a laugh.

          "Not as impressive as I heard you and Hermione were," Ron retorted, plopping down into an overstuffed chair.

          "You heard something about us then?"

          "From a group of 3rd years….about how you guys were snogging in the castle threshold…?" Ron quirked his eyebrow. Harry laughed again.

          "So, has Lavender gone to get ready too?" he asked. Ron rolled his eyes.

          "Yep. Hermione too?"

          "Of course. She says this is the special year, so I'm guessing its going to take extra special long," Harry said with a sigh.

          "You're just mad cause you don't get to snog with her until she's done," Ron retorted. Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. An hour passed until they finally made their way up to their own dorm rooms to get dressed as well. Harry dressed himself in an emerald green dress robe that matched his eyes perfectly. He didn't bother to do anything to his hair since he knew it wouldn't work. Ron on the other hand was fussing with it, combing it precariously. He was dressed in a midnight blue dress robe, a gift from his family.

          "Come on Ron!" Harry cried a time later. "She's not going to stare at your hair!" Ron sighed.

          "Okay, fine, I'm ready," he said. They walked down the stairs and waited patiently in the common room for their dates. Lavender was ready first. She came down the stairs in a lavender (hehe) dress robe. Ron grinned, walking up to her, offering her his hand. She took it with a grin of her own.

          "Thank you, kind sir," she said theatrically. He gave her a mock bow and led her away from the stairs. Harry sighed, looking at the clock on the wall. Finally he heard a door open and close. He stood expectantly at the bottom of the stairs and looked up. His breath caught in his throat, Hermione was there and she looked stunning. She wore an off the shoulder white dress robe. It had a slight train (a/n: a train is excess fabric that trails behind ya, lots of brides have trains on their dresses) and the sleeves were elongated, almost as long as the dress itself. She wore half of her hair up in a curling bun, the rest was sleek and straight, curving around her shoulders. Her eyelids were powdered slightly with gold as were her lips. She smiled at him, her lips curving around her perfect teeth. Lavender beamed proudly.

          "Doesn't she look great?" she whispered to Ron.

          "Not as great as you," Ron said. Lavender rolled her eyes and grinned.

          "Wow…Hermione….you look…beautiful," Harry murmured when Hermione reached the bottom of the staircase. She smiled at him.

          "You look very handsome yourself," she replied. He offered her his arm which she took. Together, the four of them made their way down to the great hall and sat down at a vacant table. The teachers had really outdone themselves this year. Silver and gold tinsel was woven everywhere and snowflakes fell from the ceiling though it was not cold in the room. A few more people drifted into the room before Dumbledore stood to deliver his opening speech.

          "Welcome all!" he said cheerfully. "This Yule Ball will be the last for some of our students. For others, it is the first. Might I remind you that inappropriate dancing is not…encouraged," he smiled at that. "And now, it is time for the opening dance by the prefects and the Head Boy and Girl." Harry and Hermione grinned at each other and stood. He extended his hand to her and she took it delicately in her own. They made their way to the center of the dance floor and stood prepared for the music to begin. As it began, they waltzed around gracefully occasionally pausing to add in a twirl. The music ended in a flourish and students immediately poured onto the dance floor. Another song began. Harry pulled Hermione closer to him, his arms encircled her waist. She smiled up at him and pulled his face down to hers, begging for a kiss. He readily obliged, pressing his lips to hers, ignoring the catcalls they received. They danced a few more dances before receding from the dance floor. Harry pulled Hermione along to stand beneath a mistletoe, grinning mischievously. She smiled and raised on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. He grinned and walked her around again before proceeding to the next bunch of mistletoe. He was rewarded with another kiss. He led her around the room, careful to stop underneath each and every mistletoe suspended in the air.

          "Harry, we're supposed to be setting a good example," Hermione chided.

          "We are! We're showing everybody the proper way to use the mistletoe."

          "Let's go find Ron and Lavender," Hermione said.

          "But what about the rest of these?" Harry asked pointing to the other half of the room they hadn't crossed yet.

          "We'll get to those later!" Hermione cried, dragging him along. They made their way to the refreshments table where they found Ron glomping down all available food.

          "Hey Ron…who did Ginny come with?" Lavender asked, looking over her shoulder nervously.

          "I dunno," Ron said, pausing to swallow his mouth full of food, "She never told me. Why?" he asked suspiciously. She looked over her shoulder again.

          "Um, no reason," she replied, plastering a smile on her face. Ron edged around her to see Ginny dancing very closely with…

          "DRACO MALFOY!" Ron roared. Draco turned rather slowly in Ron's direction. "You'd better get your hands off my sister!!" Ron charged at the couple, but was held back by Harry.

          "Let her have her fun, she can take care of herself," he said. Ron fumed, crossing his arms over his chest. Lavender grabbed his arm and towed him away to the opposite end of the dance floor. Harry chuckled.

          "Never thought Ginny and Draco would ever happen," he said. "Now about that other half of the room…" Hermione grinned, leading the way.

*interlude*

          "Congragulation, students! You've made it through your 7th and final year at Hogwarts! You're now official witches and wizards. Use your powers wisely," Dumbledore said, looking particularly at the Slytherins. The day had finally come, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Lavender, and the rest of their year mates had just graduated from the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

          "I can't believe we just graduated!" Ron cried happily. He gathered Lavender in his arms and kissed her before twirling her around in his arms. "Now its time for our beach vacation!" Ron said with a wink Harry's direction.

          "Oh I can't wait!" Lavender said dreamily.

          "Neither can I…you in a bikini…rrrr!" Ron wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Lavender swatted him playfully. They walked across the castle grounds and hopped into a horseless carriage that immediately set off at a brisk pace. As soon as it stopped, they clambered out and looked wistfully over their shoulders at Hogwarts.

          "This is it," Hermione said sadly. The others nodded solemnly and climbed into the Hogwarts express. This would be their last trip on it ever. The train ride went by quickly, too quickly for their tastes. They dragged their trunks out of the train, looking back at it once more, before exiting Platform 9¾. A car from Lavender's father was waiting for them at the entrance of the station. They piled their belongings into the trunk and situated themselves inside. The car ride went smoothly, and after a time, they pulled up into the familiar parking lot of the ministry's beach.

          "I remember this place!" Hermione cried. "We came here the summer before 5th year." She beamed at Harry. They got out of the car, dragging their belongings with them. Hermione sat on the beach and immediately began applying sun block lotion. Ron and Lavender were already in the water splashing each other. Harry grinned at them and grabbed Hermione in his arms. He ran with her to the water and dumped her in. She shrieked. She sat there dumbstruck. She slowly lifted her head to glare at Harry.

          "This is the part where you chase me," he whispered mischievously. She jumped up and charged at him, he dodged her and scurried away down the beach. He continued running, then stopped, allowing her to tackle him. She dunked him in the water. And they rolled over several times, until she was laying on top of him laughing in triumph. It was all somewhat familiar. Harry smiled at her. She leaned down and kissed him softly.

          He drew his hand out from under the water, holding a closed seashell in his palm. She looked curiously at him, then took it from his hand. It opened slowly revealing a gold ring inlaid with emeralds and diamonds. Hermione gasped.

          "Marry me, Hermione?" Harry asked softly. He couldn't tell if she was crying, she was already dripping water. She was silent for moment before looking up at him with shining eyes. She bent down and kissed him once more. She pulled him closer with her arms around his neck.

          "Yes," she whispered. He beamed with joy. He took the ring from the shell and slipped it on her finger. She smiled and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Harry."

          "I love you, Hermione," Harry said. He splashed her then, and jumped up running again down the beach. Hermione laughed and chased after him into the sunset. She knew that life had its bumps ahead and that it would be a rocky road to say the least, but as long as she had Harry by her side, she would survive.

Author's Note: Ok, it didn't come out exactly like I wanted it to. I don't know why I threw the Yule Ball in there, but I did, it wasn't originally planned though. I guess I wanted snow…It was kinda choppy with the transitions and stuff, but oh well, my head hurts. I might fix it up more later, but not now. SO review this chapter and say hi to Bobbo! *pats the space monkey's head*

Author's Note: