Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Harry sat Ginny down on a bench in the lobby and sat next to her, not touching but staying close. She was breathing hard and had an expression of absolute shock.

"It's over isn't it?" She finally whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Ginny, I wasn't going to do this tonight, not with everyone around." Harry muttered running his hand through his hair. "I didn't want to hurt you."

"So what is it? You kiss her and immediately forget about me?"

"No. Not at all. I had already decided to break up with you. When I was in New York it became clear that I didn't want to marry you. I was going to end this before I knew a relationship with Hermione was even possible. Damn it! I wanted to do this the right way." He leaned forward, his head in his hands.

Ginny could see that he really was in pain, but she was in no mood to make it easier on him.

"You really think there's a right way? I've spent over half my life in love with you Harry. There is no right way."

She waited for Harry to answer but all he did was shake his head. He wouldn't even look at her.

"You realize I'm going to be alone forever if you do this. I'll never love another. I'll never marry or have children."

"Don't be dramatic Ginny, I'm not your true love, it's as simple as that." Harry was looking at her now. "You gave Hermione that potion. Hermione had to kiss her true love for it to be over before time was up. She told me that it had to be reciprocal. True love has to go both ways. If I'm Hermione's true love then she must be mine. This means I'm not yours." It all made sense to Harry and he felt the weight of the potion in his pocket. He had planned to sneak it in her drink in the next few days to prove that he wasn't really the love of her life, but now he wondered if he shouldn't give her the option tonight. He knew there was a reason he brought it with him.

"Then who is my true love Harry? All that time wasted with you! I could have been with someone who loves me!" She was mad again, the distraught woman was now in full Weasley temper. Harry was mad as well.

"Ginny Weasley! How dare you think I didn't love you? Those years were not wasted for either of us. We had bad times but think of the really good ones. Would you give them up? I loved you. I still love you, but as a friend only." Harry pulled the potion from his pocket. "Take this. It's the potion you gave Hermione. Take it and prove to yourself that I'm not the one for you." He held it out to her.

Ginny thought about what he was saying. They'd had wonderful times. He was right about that and she wouldn't trade them. She knew things hadn't been great between them lately. She should have seen this coming. She looked at the potion. If she took it and kissed him she'd know for sure. She'd also set herself up for humiliation the same way she'd set Hermione up. Was it worth it to know?

She took the vial from his outstretched arm. She saw Hermione step into the hall. "How long have you loved her Harry? Have you wanted her the whole time you were with me?"

"I don't know Gin, I really don't know. I've always loved her but I'm not sure when the love changed from friendship to more. It's been a while now."

"Why didn't you break up with me then? Why would you lead me on?" Ginny sobbed.

"I didn't think it went both ways for one thing. I had a good thing, a comfortable thing, with you and didn't want to give that up on the unknown."

Ginny turned toward Hermione who had stood silently by, unsure of her role in this. "Do you really love him?"

"Yes. I've loved him as long as I've known him." Hermione whispered.

With one more glance at Harry, Ginny lifted the vial and drank it down. It only took a few seconds before she felt her body heat up. She looked at Harry and just had to kiss him. She had no choice and Harry knew it. She stepped up to him, ran her hands through his hair and pulled his familiar lips down to hers.

She pulled away after a few moments and looked at him. She had no urge to kiss him again. The thought of kissing him, did nothing to her. She looked at Harry in shock.

"That's it?" Ginny asked. "It's over like that? It was a good kiss but I felt nothing. Was this how it was for you Hermione?"

Hermione walked up to the pair and nodded. "Yes. While I had some good kisses, they meant nothing. Nothing until I kissed Harry. The difference was amazing. I didn't want to hurt you Ginny."

"I'm sorry about the potion but right now I'm too angry to make amends. We'll talk another time all right? I can't talk to you now."

"Yes, we'll talk another time."

"I need to be alone for a while." Ginny stated, her voice dull.

"Let's go Hermione." Harry said as he took her arm. "Good bye Ginny."

()()()()()()()()()()

Harry pulled Hermione back into the ballroom and behind the stage. He needed her in his arms, he wanted to make sure it was real.

"Are you all right Harry?" Hermione whispered.

"I'm better than all right. I've got you." He sighed. "I've still got you don't I? Viktor didn't steal you away?"

"You've got me for as long as you want me."

"Good." They stood quietly together for a few minutes before Harry spoke again. "Remember when you promised to dance with me? Shall we?"

"Absolutely." She accepted his arm and they headed onto the dance floor where they quickly became wrapped up in each other once again. Hermione took a few moments to glance around the room. What she got in return was several pairs of eyes glancing at them curiously. Obviously word had gotten around that Harry and Ginny were having problems.

After their second dance, Hermione stepped away. "I think we should mingle a bit Harry. This isn't the time or place to announce to the world that we're together. It won't be good for either of us."

"Right. Good thinking. Let's head over towards Ron."

Hermione followed him over to where most of their friends were congregated near the bar. Ron had already had a few firewhiskeys too many was fighting off Bill and Charlie who were trying to get him to put his shoes back on.

"Oi! Hermione, you look bloody fantastic. Tell these gits I don't need shoes would you? I can't wear all these clothes." He slurred.

"Well Ronald, I think shoes are appropriate at a formal ball. Maybe you could put your shoes back on and take your tie off instead." Hermione laughed.

"She's brilliant!" Ron yelled. "My Hermione is so smart." He slipped back into his shoes and then proceeded to choke himself trying to remove his tie. Bill and Charlie gave her a grateful look and led him out to get some air and a sobering potion.

Hermione stayed close to Harry for most of the night, occasionally dancing with different friends and of course her date Draco. She laughed at the look on Harry's face as she twirled in Draco's arms. Draco didn't help matters by purposely moving his hand lower and lower right in front of Harry. After their dance, she pulled him aside.

"Draco, I really am sorry about all of this. I haven't been a very good date."

"Don't worry Hermione, I've had plenty of women throwing themselves at me. I even got a very interesting kiss from Ginny Weasley. She stomped her foot afterward, said something about how much money I had and walked away."

"She took the true love potion." Hermione laughed. Even though she felt bad for Ginny, she was certainly happy she had a taste of her own medicine.

"Ah that explains it. Maybe I should ask Pansy for some of that."

"Draco, could you do me a favor?"

"Anything. Unless it involves being nice to Potter."

"We'll talk about that later. See that woman over there? By the doorway. That's my friend Melissa and she gets very nervous around men. She's completely fun and outgoing but she gets a bit giggly when around handsome men. I was hoping you might ask her to dance. I don't think she's having much fun." Hermione looked at Draco as he scanned the direction she had pointed. She also saw the interest that lit in his eyes as he found Melissa.

"I've seen her before. She works in your department right?" At Hermione's nod he continued, "She's pretty. I'll dance with her and use my abundant charms on her."

"Thank you Draco. For everything." Hermione watched as he strolled casually over toward Melissa. She saw her friend's nervous reaction and her eyes sparkle as she talked to Draco. He led her out to the dance floor and gave Hermione a wink. "That just might work out." She mumbled to herself. Still watching her friends dance, she was surprised to feel a hand lightly caressing the back of her neck. She turned to find Harry standing close.

"Shall I take you home?" Harry murmured, his voice deep and silky. She shivered at the tone. She nodded and they headed over to their friends to say their goodbyes. They noticed that there was a lot of whispering and nervous glances as they walked up.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked as they approached Pansy and Lavender.

"Oh, well. . . Hi Harry!" Pansy squeaked. Ron walked up at that point and put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I'm sorry mate. I'm not sure what's got into her." Ron hung his head as he patted Harry on the back.

"What's got into who?" Harry asked.

"Something has got into Ginny. I hate to be the one to tell you this but she's been snogging half the guys in this place."

"Oh, well that's to be expected since she took that true love potion." Hermione answered.

"She did what?" Lavender yelled. "No wonder she said she found her true love."

"She did?" Harry asked. "That was fast. Who is it?"

"Well, she's still snogging him over in the corner." Pansy told them.

Harry and Hermione looked over and started laughing. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and they headed for the door.

"Where are you two going?" George called out.

"Home mate, we're going home." Harry answered.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Once back at Hermione's flat, they attacked each other. Hands and lips and legs were tangled as they fought for more of each other. "Harry, you aren't going to stop this time are you?" Hermione managed to gasp out.

"I don't think I could if a train were about to hit me." Harry told her as he tried desperately to unhook the top of her dress. "Success!" He called out as he pulled the zipper down. His hand brushed over her smooth skin and he groaned as his body reacted instantly.

"My room." Hermione ordered. "Now." She grabbed his hand and pulled him into her bedroom. She pulled off her dress and threw it towards her closet, for once not caring about wrinkles. She heard Harry's gasp as he saw her in her lingerie. She was quite thankful that she was wearing a matching set. The fact that they were shear and didn't cover much was just an added bonus.

Harry just stood there, not saying a word. He couldn't believe that this woman, his best friend, was standing there in front of him. It wasn't just her lack of clothes that was robbing him of his voice. It was her. His Hermione. She was offering him more than he ever dreamed was possible, not just a night of amazing sex, but a future that he actually wanted. He moved toward her and lifted her face to him. He lightly touched his lips to hers, not in a kiss of passion but in a kiss of absolute adoration. The frantic mood that they had arrived in, was gone now and everything was different.

"Harry? Is everything all right?" Hermione felt the change in the air.

"Everything is exactly as it should be. I love you Hermione."

"I love you too Harry." They kissed again, leisurely, long, slow, packed with every emotion they had kept from each other all those years. They didn't need to rush anything, they just needed to feel. The night was spent in each other's arms, discovering each other in ways they'd only dreamed of.

()()()()()()()()()

One Year Later

"Harry, get off of me." Hermione grunted as she tried to push her husband off of her. "We've got to get up. We're going to be late."

"No. I'm staying right here with you all day." Harry groaned. "I don't want to get dressed up again. It seems we've been to a hundred weddings in the last month." He reluctantly rolled off of her and lay flat on his back.

"We've been to six in the last 6 months. One of which was our own." Hermione said as she got up and headed in to take a shower. Thirty minutes later he was still in the same position, his eyes closed and a smile on his face.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked as she pulled her dress out of the closet.

"Pulling you back into bed with me." He said with a grin.

"Nice try but we really don't have time." Hermione scolded. "We have to be at the Burrow in less than a half hour. Ginny wants all her bridesmaids there early. Besides, do you realize what Molly will do to us if we're late? This is her last wedding before the grandchildren get older and her only chance to be the Mother of the Bride. She will never forgive us. She's already mad at me for not fitting into my bridesmaid's dress. That's all your fault by the way."

He got up and stood behind her, resting his hands on her stomach, feeling the little bump that was causing chaos. "It's a good thing you're a witch then. A wave of your wand and the dress fits perfectly."

Hermione linked her hands with his over her growing belly. "In a few months it's going to take more than magic for my clothes to fit. At least Angelina's in the same situation. You really need to get dressed. Viktor expects his groomsmen to be wearing more than boxers."

"He won't care what we're wearing as long as Ginny comes down the aisle." Harry walked to the closet to get his dress robes. "Once I saw you coming toward me, everyone could have been naked and I never would have noticed. My eyes were only on you."

"And mine on you. I love you Harry."

"I love you too my beautiful wife."

()()()()()()()()()()()

After the wedding, the reception was in full swing. Ron was in complete awe of all the professional Quidditch players in attendance and was making quite a fool of himself trying to share his own Quidditch glory days from Hogwarts. Luna, the perfect example of a patient wife, stood by with a dreamy smile on her face.

Harry grimaced when he saw Draco and Melissa heading his way. He and Draco were on better terms and he liked Melissa, now that she could actually talk to him, but Malfoy still wasn't his favorite person.

"Hey Potter and Potter." Draco smirked. "It's good to see the Weaslette finally married off."

"I don't know about you but I'm done with weddings for a while." Harry told them.

"Well, how about at least one more?" Melissa asked.

"What?" Hermione squealed noticing the ring on her hand.

()()()()()()()()()()

As the reception wound down, Harry and Hermione stood at the edge of the pond looking at the stars. "This is where I told George about my feelings for you. It was the first time I'd ever said them out loud to another person." Hermione shared.

"I'm just glad you finally told me." Harry whispered

"I'm just glad Ginny gave me that potion, so I'd have no excuse."

They turned to each other and once again shared a true loves kiss.

Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews, good and bad. I went through a lot personally during the writing of this and it took much longer than I anticipated. Thank you for sticking with me.