AN: I don't own Harry Potter. If only...

Thank you all for the reviews, for following, or adding this to your favorites. As always, I'm thrilled to death so many of you are enjoying this.

So, this isn't a long chapter, or even a very eventful one, but it's what came to me. I hope you guys enjoy this one as much as the others.

If you ever feel like Hermione does in the second half of this chapter, which I most certainly have, I want to tell you something. You are beautiful, no matter what shape, size, color, hairstyle, whatever. People weren't meant to be carbon copies of one another, and it's our differences that make each of us beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It may be a bit cheesy, but it's 100% TRUE!

Now, on with the story.

Cheers! Enjoy!

The next day, Hermione decided not to do much of anything. Instead, she was planning on spending the day by the pool. She smiled from her spot by the counter, where she was stood drinking a large cup of coffee as she stared out the window at said pool. That was her favorite spot to be when she was younger and she'd come here with her parents. Give her a good book and a lounge by the pool and she'd be happy.

"Good morning, love." Harry said with a sleepy smile as he entered the kitchen, Apollo's nails clicking on the kitchen tile as he followed along.

"Good morning." she smiled back, turning from the window as he stepped up beside her, kissing her on the cheek.

"How long have you been up?" he asked, moving to pour himself a glass of orange juice and glancing at the clock. He was surprised to see it was only a bit after six am.

"Not long." Hermione said, yawning. Looking down as Apollo sat in front of her, she smiled, setting her coffee down. "Let me guess...you're hungry, right?" she asked, getting a tail wag and a bark in response. "Alright. Let's get you fed, then." she said, leaning down to pat him on the head.

"You had a nightmare, didn't you?" Harry asked as she moved to get Apollo's dish out of the cabinet. The only answer he got was the brief tensing of her body as she stood at the counter. "Hermione," he sighed, "why didn't you wake me?"

"Harry, it's no big deal." she sighed, getting the small bag of dog food out. "I can deal with a few nightmares." she said.

"Maybe, but you have me to help you. You always have." he said.

Hermione set Apollo's dish down, smiling as the puppy immediately moved to eat as she picked up his water dish. "I know, Harry. But, you have your own issues to deal with, for one, and you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to bother you." she said, rinsing out the dish and refilling it with cold water before setting it back down.

Harry set his glass down, tugging on Hermione's arm as she walked passed him, pulling her to step in front of him. "Hermione, how many nightmares have I had over the years that you've helped me with?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"What? You want an actual number, or something?" she asked cheekily, smiling a little.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "No. But if I did, I'm guessing since fifth year, it'd be around forty. Maybe more." he said.

"Wow." she muttered.

"Yeah. And it's not over. I still have nightmares, but you know what helps?" he asked, pressing his forehead against hers as he moved his hands to gently cup her face. "You. You make them go away, and having you there when I wake up makes me forget how bad they are." he said, looking her in the eyes.

"Harry..." she sighed, eyes filling with tears.

"And no night of peaceful dreams is worth you suffering alone." he added, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. "So the next time you need me, even if I'm asleep and snoring loud enough to shake the house, I want you to wake me."

Hermione laughed, giving him a small nod. "Okay. But, only on the condition you do the same." she said.

"Deal." he whispered before pressing his lips to hers as she wound her arms around his neck, playing with the short hairs at the base of his neck. "Now, no offense, but it's way to early to be up, so I say we go back to bed for a few more hours." he said, breaking the kiss.

"Sounds good." she agreed with a small yawn.

True to her word, Hermione joined Harry back in bed, where the two managed to fall back asleep for a few hours. When they had woken up again, she had told Harry her plans of doing nothing besides staying by the pool, and he excitedly ran off to tell the others, making her laugh. After lazing in bed for a bit longer, Hermione got up and changed into her bathing suit, which, despite what people thought, was not one of those like were worn that covered her from head to toe. Her bathing suit was actually a black bikini that was more sexy than modest. The top of the bikini was a halter bralette style and the bottoms were cut to show the lower half of her cheeks, and had a chain belt dangling in the front.

"Hey, Mione, have you...whoa!" Ginny exclaimed as she entered Hermione's room.

"What?" Hermione asked, looking up.

"No...nothing." Ginny said, shaking her head. "It's just...wow."

"Ginny?"

"I'm sorry, but how do you not feel like a goddess with a body like that?" she asked, still staring at Hermione.

Hermione squirmed a bit under Ginny's stare, the younger girl unnerving her a bit. Placing a hand on her stomach as it fluttered, she was wondering if she should change into a different bathing suit. Turning to look in the mirror, she inspected herself, not seeing what Ginny was talking about.

"Huh?" she asked.

"Hermione, honey, don't take this wrong, or anything, but if I weren't with Neville, I'd seriously be considering jumping you right now." Ginny said. "Which I kinda am anyway, to be honest."

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What? It's true." Ginny shrugged. "I mean...look at yourself, Hermione."

Hermione turned to look at herself in the mirror again, not seeing what it was Ginny was talking about. She just wasn't seeing it. Instead, all she saw was a girl with the same curly hair as always, breasts that could be bigger, a less than firm, untoned tummy, round hips, slightly chunky thighs, and thick legs.

"Eh. I look alright. Nothing spectacular, mind you." she said. "You, on the other hand...I might have to throw Nev in the pool." she smiled, nodding toward Ginny in her reflection in her white bathing suit, hoping to deflect Ginny.

"Hermione, don't be ridiculous." Ginny scoffed, absently running a hand down her stomach. "I'd kill for your body. I mean...you're gorgeous, you know."

"Ginny," Hermione sighed, shaking her head.

"No! I know we've talked about this before, but I meant it then, and I mean it now." Ginny exclaimed, coming to stand beside Hermione, staring at her in the mirror. "Look at yourself, love. You are...hot!" she laughed, which got a smile and a chuckle out of Hermione. "Come on, you can't weigh more than what...one thirty?"

"Uh...one twenty five, actually." Hermione said, fidgeting.

"And you have a classic hourglass shape which I'd kill for. Your waist is slim, your arse is firm, your boobs are perky, and your hair is...perfect." Ginny said, wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "You, my brilliant bookwormy friend, are gorgeous."

"Well..."

"Besides, I'm sure our dear Boy Wonder enjoys those curves." she smirked, making Hermione blush.

Hermione shook her head as she turned to grab her sarong off the bed. "You're incorrigible, you know that?" she asked, tying the sarong around her waist.

Ginny laughed as she followed Hermione out of her room. "I do know that, actually."

Review please.

Does anyone else have a different image of Hermione than what's described in the books and Emma Watson, or is it just me? I mean, my image of Hermione when I write is Cote de Pablo from NCIS. If there was ever a woman I'd hook up with, it'd be her.

Oh, and remember what I said at the beginning - YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT!

Til next time!

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian