===September 1 1992===
Hermione couldn't believe they were already going back to Hogwarts. With Harry at home with her it felt like she really never left. She lays leaning against Harry as he plays chess with Ron. A book in her hands is forgotten as she remembers the last couple weeks.
On Harry's birthday he took her to dinner and dancing. Her mom got her a beautiful green dress that perfectly matched Harry's eyes and even taught him how to dance. She sighs happily remembering the enchanted evening.
When they got home that evening Hermione couldn't resist snogging Harry senseless. She had pinned him to the bed as they made out, Harry's hands on her panty clad rear. It was sheer luck that her Mom had popped in to check on them when she did. Once they realized what was happening they separated, very embarrassed. Neither one of them felt ready for the potential consequences of having sex just yet.
With their status as heirs they knew magic was pressing them to continue the lines. So they knew it was only a matter of time until it happened. With that in mind they both started meditating for at least an hour a day. According to Hestia's diary this should center their magic so it wouldn't pull on them so badly. The diary also noted that physical activity could help, so with that in mind they started running every morning. Hopefully by next summer they'll have a better hold on themselves.
A couple things of importance happened the very next day when they went to Diagon Alley to get their school supplies.
#Flashback#
"Alright Hermione, last stop and we still have a couple hours before we have to meet Neville. So we saved the best for last; Flourish and Blotts." Harry says, opening the door for her. "Get your school books and whatever else you want."
"You do remember who you're talking to right?" Hermione asks.
"My future wife if all goes well." Harry answers. "So I figured I might as well spoil you."
Hermione grins and goes off like a kid in a candy store. Harry chuckles as he starts looking for his school books when he hears a man talking about himself. Curious he gets closer so he can make out what's being said.
"..and of course my autobiography, Magical Me." A blond haired man says then grins.
Harry looks at the book and sees that the cover has a picture of the man flashing the same smile he is now. He reads the name, Gilderoy Lockheart, something clicks and he looks at his book list for the coming year.
Sure enough there's a list of books with him as the author. Making a connection that Hermione would be proud of he deduces that this man is most likely his new Defense teacher.
"Harry Potter!" Lockhart says as he puts down his book.
Harry panics for a second as all the reporters turn to him, he looks around for an escape as Lockhart approaches him.
Meanwhile, Hermione is putting down a stack of books on the counter next to another stack of books when she hears Harry's name. "Please hold these for me." She says, then quickly pushes herself through the crowd to Harry's side.
She sees a man approaching Harry, reporters looking at both of them. She hesitates only a moment before stepping in between the two of them. Camera's flash as she does this. She immediately knows this is going to be on the front page of every paper there is. She spares a look at Harry. A look of relief was obvious on his face.
Lockhart stops and looks at her. "And who is this?"
"My name is Hermione Granger, and I'm Harry's girlfriend." She says, then is nearly blinded by all the camera flashes when Harry comes to her side and takes her hand.
"Hermione!" A few reporters call out trying to get her attention.
The younger witch holds her free hand up, silencing the crowd and further drawing their attention from Lockhart. She notices that Lockhart doesn't like it when he isn't the center of attention. "One at a time, clockwise, starting with you!" She points at one of the reporters.
What follows is a bunch of mundane questions which Hermione answers while keeping one eye on Harry and the other on Lockhart.
Harry was amazed at the witch holding his hand, the way she swooped in to save him. Every time she glances back at him he squeezes her hand for a second letting her know he's still here. Eventually one of the reporters asks how they got together.
Hermione looks at Harry and smiles, the young wizard smiles back and nods. "I had spent the entire year as his best friend. I also spent that time listening to the other girls giggle at the thought of dating "the boy who lived", but all they really wanted was his fame. Then I decided I wanted to be with him, and not because of his fame."
So what if that wasn't entirely the truth. There is no need for the general public to know about the betrothal agreement, or the troll nearly killing her.
Lockhart claps. "Such a lovely story." He says. "Young love like yours is something to be celebrated! I have just the thing, in honor of your budding relationship I'd like to present both of you with signed copies of all my books."
The reporters quickly turn back to Lockhart as he showingly signs all of the books and then hands the stack to Hermione. "That's so gracious of you." She says as she takes them only to have Harry take them from her. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Miss Granger, we would have met soon enough anyway. You see with gracious humility I have accepted the responsibility of being the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts." Lockhart says, getting applause from his gathered crowd.
Harry and Hermione share a worried look. It was beyond obvious that Lockhart wouldn't know humility if it smacked him in the face. However with all the novels he published maybe there was a chance this was just a public persona.
"That really is gracious of you." Hermione says after a second. "I can't wait to have you teach us. With the amazing adventures you have had you must be able to pass invaluable knowledge to us."
Since the reporters seem to no longer very interested in them Harry and Hermione slip off to the counter. Once there Harry places the stack of signed books on the counter next to the two stacks of books that are all of their school books. Hermione quickly removes Lockhart's books from both their stacks. Then she pushes a third stack up. Harry signs the paper authorizing the withdrawal from his account without even looking at the total. The shopkeeper places everything in a featherweight bag and they leave the store.
Once a safe distance away they both start laughing. "I can't believe he tried to use you to be more famous!" Hermione exclaims once the laughter has died down.
"I can't believe you stepped in like that." Harry says.
"I am a Gryffindor." Hermione says.
"True." Harry says. "You know our relationship is going to be all over the Prophet now?"
Hermione nods. "I'm sure, we'll deal with it."
"Right"
"Now we'd better get moving, we need to meet Neville and his Grandmother." Hermione says.
They make their way back out of Diagon Alley and into The Leaky Cauldron . Having already paid to have the private parlor all day they head there and sit.
They're not sitting long when Neville comes into the room, his grandmother behind him. Harry and Hermione immediately stand. "Grandmother, I'd like you to meet my friends; Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Harry, Hermione, this is my grandmother, Lady Augusta Longbottom.
"Pleased to meet you." the couple says in unison.
Augusta notices that they left the space at the head of the table empty for her and sits. "Good, you have manners."
"Thank you, ma'am!" They say in unison again.
Augusta nods, eyeing the young couple. "You may sit."
Hermione sits, then Harry pushes her chair in before sitting him. "Thank you, for coming, Ma'am." Hermione says.
"So tell me, why did you want to meet me?" Augusta asks.
"I was hoping you might have known my parents, and could tell me about them." Harry answers.
"I met your father a few times when he was young, but I wouldn't say I knew him." Augusta answers.
Harry smiles. "It was a long shot anyway, thank you for that."
"Of course. "
"Do you think we could ask you some questions about magic?" Harry asks. "I was raised by my muggle relatives and a few don't make sense."
"Ask away, I'm sure if you'd been raised as Neville was you wouldn't have these questions."
"Well, you see Neville told me that he's been using his father's wand, while Olivander told me that the wand picks the wizard and what works for one wizard may not work for another."
"Neville uses his father's wand to honor his father." Augusta explains. "Would you use your father's wand if you were given the chance?"
"If I felt like I had a good connection to it." Harry says. "Just like I'd have no problem using my mom's wand if that was the case. I've tried a couple of other wands. Hermione's wand responds to me just fine, but my friend Ron's I can barely cast a Lumos spell through."
Augusta considers this for a moment. "So you think that Neville's father's wand might not be a good match for him?"
"I believe it's possible." Harry says. "It certainly couldn't hurt to ask Olivander."
"I will talk to Olivander." Augusta says.
#End Flashback#
Hermoine looks over at Neville quietly practicing his wand movements with his new wand, already his confidence has shot up thanks to a few very successful spells.
Next Hermoine thinks about how they spent most of August with each other and reading. Though Harry did convince her to try some of her dad's exercise equipment. Which ended up meaning a trip to the store for exercise clothes for her. Harry bought a similar machine at a store. It's currently shrunk and in his trunk. He claimed he was going to set it up somewhere they could both use it.
"I can't believe we missed you in Diagon Alley." Ron says breaking Hermione from her daydream.
"We went real early, trying to avoid a crowd." Harry says. 'And failed.' He thought to himself.
"Heard you still ran into Lockhart, I can't believe he gave you both all his books."
"We didn't ask him to." Hermione points out.
"How did your shopping go?" Harry asks, changing the topic.
"It was strange, Mom said someone left money to pay for some of our stuff. That's how my sister and I got new robes." Ron explains.
Hermione risks a glance at Harry, knowing full well he left the money. He smiles slightly glad that it worked the way he had hoped it would. "Wait, you have a sister?" Hermione asks.
"Her name is Ginerva, but just call her Ginny." Ron says. "Fair warning she has a crush on Harry."
"Well, he's taken." Hermione says as she hugs Harry's arm.
"I did warn her you two were dating." Ron says. "I didn't tell her about the other thing."
"I appreciate that." Harry says. "I'll try and let her down gently if she says anything."
Hermione nods. "Me too. I hope I can be friends with her."
"What, no one wants to be friends with the bossy bookworm?" Ron teases.
"Hey, watch it!" Harry says. "She's my bookworm!"