Hermione lifted her face to the sun, letting its warmth wash over her. A small contented sigh, escaping her lips. The war had been over for a month now and she still couldn't believe it. After all the turmoil and upheaval of the months leading up to the final battle, she finally felt at ease. Though many lives had been lost, she was thankful every day that her family and closet friends had survived.

Leaning back against the bench seat of the gazebo she was sitting in, Hermione let her eyes fall shut. Enjoying the pleasant feel of the sun's continued warmth. Before she knew it, she had started to drift off to sleep.

Hermione found herself in a lush field of golden straw, birds singing a sweet melody in the distance, the sun shining brightly down on her. A light breeze ruffled her hair, lifting it slightly off her neck, caressing her skin like warm fingers.

Bees buzzed nearby, flying around the golden straw looking for flowers to pollinate. Letting her eyes roam, they feel on a fox standing a few yards away. With fur the color of fire, and brilliant shining black eyes that shone with hidden intelligence; the fox flicked its tail, returning Hermione's stare. After a few minutes, the fox grew tired of their contest and scampered off, scattering a group of nearby birds.

A smile curved Hermione's lips and she involuntarily raised her arms to the suns warm rays, spinning in slow circles where she stood. Happiness began to bubble up inside her from this simple pleasure and a cry of mirth escaped her parted lips. Her laughter echoed around the empty field several times, bouncing around the trees nearby. Another breeze came up as she continued to twirl; its warmth once more caressing her skin like warm fingers.

Shifting in her sleep, Hermione starts to return to consciousness, and slowly starts to become aware of everything around her. The soft breeze blowing over the grounds rustles through her hair once more as she continues to awaken, bringing with it the smell of the imported orange blossoms growing near the gazebo. The scent fills her senses, making her think of breakfast in the Great Hall at Hogwarts for some reason.

The gentle fingers of the breeze brushed against Hermione's skin like a soft caress, warm and sweet. Almost like Harry's touch, a smile flitting across Hermione's face at this thought. A slight pressure against Hermione's forehead, almost like the touch of lips against her skin, started to pull her closer to consciousness.

It's not until she heard a whisper of a voice that Hermione realized what she was feeling really was a kiss. “Come on Hermione, wake up.” It was Harry, his warm breath tickling her cheek as he spoke.

Another contented sigh escaped her as Hermione opened her eyes. Chocolate brown pools met emerald greens, and they both smiled. “Hey,” Hermione said softly, sleep making her voice sound slightly hoarse and scratchy.

“Hey yourself,” Harry replied, sitting down and placing Hermione's head in his lap, his fingers automatically starting to thread through her hair. “How long have you been out here?” he asked her after several minutes.

“I don't know. What time is it?” Hermione asked, letting her eyes close again, this time not to sleep but to enjoy the feeling of Harry's fingers in her hair.

“Almost three,” Harry said.

“Hmm, then I've been out here for three hours. I didn't realize. I just came out here to relax in the sun and enjoy the fresh air. I must have fallen asleep.”

Harry chuckled, “Yeah I guess so. Must have been all that fresh air,” he teased.

“Oh hush,” Hermione, admonished him.

They were quiet for a few minutes before Harry broke the silence again. “How are you feeling?”

Hermione gave a resigned sigh.

“For the thousandth time Harry, I'm fine. Honestly, you would think I was made of glass or something. I've healed Harry. You know that. It was one bad curse and even then, it wasn't very powerful because he didn't pronounce it right. Just like fifth year and Dolohov. The Healers at St. Mungo's said I would be fine. And I am. I have one more potion left to take and I'm all done with them. Don't worry so much, Harry,” Hermione said, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

Harry let out his breath between his teeth. “I know, but I still feel like-“

Hermione cut him off. “Don't. It wasn't your fault. You were busy fighting Voldemort. That was much more important. If you hadn't then it probably would have been him instead of that Death Eater that came after me.” A shudder went through her as she spoke, as if she was reliving the moment.

“I know Hermione, but if I had been faster, I could have been there. I could never have lived with myself if something happened to you. And I never would have been able to tell you that I love you,” he whispered, emotion choking his voice.

“I know Harry. I know. But it's done. We have to move on, to make peace with what happened. And except it. And remember, so that, hopefully, the next time there is a Tom Riddle out there, we can stop him before he becomes a Voldemort.”

Harry smiled slightly before speaking. “You're right, as usual. I don't know what I'd do without you here to set me straight and make me realize what's important. I know we have to move on and of course not forget. It will be hard, especially for me. But with you by my side, I know I can do it.”

Hermione smiled before sitting up and placing a chaste kiss on Harry's lips. “I love you,” she whispered when they broke apart.

“I love you too,” Harry said quietly, as Hermione snuggled close to him.

“So what do you want to do now?” Harry asked after they had been quiet for several minutes.

“How about do what I was doing before you interrupted me?” Hermione asked, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh? What's that? Sleep?” Harry asked, laughing.

“No, enjoy the afternoon sun.”

“Sounds good to me, as long as I get to enjoy it with a beautiful woman by my side,” Harry said, tucking his arm around her shoulders.

Hermione blushed. “I'm not-“

“Shh, yes you are. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Especially to me.”

“Oh Harry…”

Harry smiled before kissing her cheek and then slipping off the bench and lifting the hem of her shirt. After placing a soft kiss on the smooth, skin there, he let her shirt fall. “And that motherly glow makes you even more beautiful,” he whispered.

Tears sprang to Hermione's eyes at these words. “Oh Harry…”she whispered.

“Don't cry luv, you know I hate it when you do. I'm just so happy that we lived to start a family. Something I'm still in shock over. But I know we'll do all right. And I plan to spoil our children rotten,” Harry said, laughing softly.

“Harry,” Hermione said, only slightly teasing.

“What?” Harry asked, sounding as innocent as possible.

Hermione sighed. “Never mind, I never win this argument. Now come here.”

Harry complied, coming to sit next to her once more and enveloping her in his arms. Once they were both comfortable, they sat and watched as the sun sunk below the horizon, turning the sky a brilliant shade of pink.

“Come on, let's head back in, it's going to be too dark to see soon,” Harry said, starting to unwrap his arms from around Hermione.

Hermione nodded and soon they were making their way across the quiet grounds of the country estate Harry had bought right after the war, enjoy the still quiet and the prospect of finally starting a life without fear.