Disclaimer: JKR owns everything HP, I'm just borrowing the characters for a bit of fun.

In Dreams He Comes

“What?!” Hermione shrieked. “How is that even possible? Why? Why would you want to?” She was on the verge of hysterics now.

“Think about it, Hermione. For my, your, and everyone we know protection!” Harry grasped her by the shoulders. “If I hadn't—died, the remaining Death Eaters would have been furious and went after anything or anyone that meant something to me. With me gone they had nothing to be vengeful for.”

Hermione sunk down to her knees on the plush rug. “So why are you still in hiding?”

Harry kneeled beside her and took her in his arms. “Maybe I should explain everything now, just so you won't have to wonder anymore. I'm only waiting until the last of the Death Eaters are diminished. Only then can I come out of hiding. Dumbledore knew all of this may happen so he placed two very powerful, ancient spells on the both of us for our protection.”

Hermione looked up at the sound of their former Headmasters name. Tears glistened in her soft eyes.

“He knew that I would defeat Voldemort in the final battle, but he also knew what would happen to us if I weren't in hiding. He placed a spell on me that would make me seem to be dead to everyone…did you ever wonder why they never found my body, only my clothes?”

Hermione nodded. She'd never thought this explanation possible. She, of all people never considered that Harry might not be dead after all!

“You, on the other hand, Dumbledore knew would likely be in hysterics, and to keep you from doing something crazy he put a spell on you as well. That's why you're in St. Mungo's and why you are unable to speak to anyone else. Dumbledore made it possible that when the time was right, I'd be able to come to you every night like this until I can return to the Wizarding world,” Harry explained.

“Oh Harry!” Hermione grabbed him up in her arms. “You don't know what I went through when I saw you blasted by the Killing Curse! I thought for sure that you were gone for good! I never thought—me Harry!—I the so called intelligent one, never once considered that Dumbledore, or you, could have done a protection spell!”

She was crying with everything in her. The long pent-up emotion finally spilling over. Harry gently stroked her hair and shoosed her quietly.

“It's alright, love, I'm here now. And soon, you'll never have to let me go.”

Hermione attempted to smile through the tears. “Harry, I've missed you so!” She buried her head once more in his chest.

“I know love, and I've missed you. I just keep reminding myself that when I get out of hiding, we can finally get married and start a family of our own.”

Hermione's face brightened momentarily only to darken a few moments later.

“Harry, I'm being so selfish to your needs! Here I am crying about because I've missed you. But I haven't even considered that you missed me as well, and that you were the one in hiding!”

Hermione turned from his face. She couldn't believe how selfish she felt! But in her heart she knew she hadn't meant what she'd just told him, and she knew that he knew she didn't too.

“You're not selfish Hermione. You're acting how anyone in your situation would act. Now shut up and kiss me!” He laughed and pulled her into his arms again.

She looked up into his shining green eyes. It'd been so long since she'd felt his warm embrace and the touch of his hands on her body. She shivered as waves of pleasure ran through her at the thought of it. She smiled at him and blushed.

“I know what you're thinking,” he smiled.

She gasped, “How?”

“Because I'm thinking it too,” he answered.

Hermione giggled as he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her as close as he could. It was a moment she thought she'd never be able to have with him or anyone else again.

“I love you Harry,” she whispered as she softly cried on his shoulder.

“I love you too, Hermione, always.”

He gently cupped her chin so that she was looking up at him. He smiled as he warmly kissed her soft lips. Hermione melted as their lips touched. More tears streamed down her face…she was finally back in the arms of the man she loved, even if it was only a dream of some sort for the moment.

……………………………..

Harry smiled lovingly at Hermione. She'd be so elated once she woke up and saw him, the real him, sitting by her side. It would take another few minutes for her to finally awake from the spell. Harry did dread explaining himself to everyone. He was certain that they wouldn't like the idea of him not revealing himself to them, especially Ron. Ron was always angry at Harry for stunts such as these, but once Hermione would explain why Harry had done what he did, Ron would understand and forget about it.

Harry laughed inwardly. Hermione was always good at such things. She could always fix their broken friendships and arguments. And now they would be free from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. With all of them destroyed, maybe Harry could finally marry Hermione and have a family of their own. He sighed happily at this thought. For once, Harry Potter would be a normal wizard. Will I get bored? He thought. Maybe I need a little boring in my life…well, nothing could be boring with `Mione near. He smiled once more.

Hermione moaned in her sleep, “Harry!” He quickly grasped her hand. “Shh…love.” He whispered. “I'm right here, it's me this time.”

Her eyes shot open at the sound of his voice. “Harry?!” She asked while looking at him incredulously.

“Yes, love, it's me…the real me.” He smiled and kissed her lips.

Her soft brown orbs filled with tears. “Oh Harry, I know this will sound awful, but I didn't really know if it was you or not. I thought maybe I had dreamt it all up in place of you, and that you were really gone.”

“It's alright; I'd probably do the same thing.”

Hermione smiled appreciatively at him. She was very relieved that he didn't think the worse of her for doubting that it was him. She sighed happily and swung her feet over the bed.

“Whoa, Miss Granger—soon to be Mrs. Potter, where do you think you are going?” Harry asked and gently pushed her back onto the bed.

“I am getting up to stretch. I've been confined to this bed for months!” She exclaimed.

“Well as soon as you are finished, you are climbing right back into that bed!” Harry ordered while still smiling.

“Yes, my master!” Hermione dramatically bowed.

Harry laughed and enveloped her into a tremendous hug. “I really dread explaining myself to Ron and the others. You know how Ron gets at times.”

Hermione nodded. Ron was notorious for being upset, even jealous, over a lot of things that happened to Harry. But what Ron didn't realize was that Harry had never asked for any of this. He hadn't asked for the Dark Lord to attack him when he was only one year of age. He hadn't asked for his parents to be ripped away from him. He hadn't asked for the infamous lighting bolt scar or the weight of the world on his shoulders. And now it was all over. Everyone could finally get on with life and The Boy Who Lived would now become an even greater legend—The Man Who Saved the World. And he was all Hermione's.