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Harmony Out Of The Ordinary 2025
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Published:
2025-07-09
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1,516
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1/1
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Hot For Professor

Summary:

Harry Potter hadn’t expected this.

Many scenarios crossed his mind when he placed the “roommate wanted” ad on the students’ union display board, but never had he imagined that his Social Psychology professor from last semester (that he had a gigantic crush on) would be a respondent.

(College AU, age gap Harmony)

Notes:

Prompt:

 

Prompt: Age Gap

(See the end of the work for more notes and other works inspired by this one.)

Work Text:

Harry Potter hadn’t expected this.  

 
Many scenarios crossed his mind when he placed the “roommate wanted” ad on the students’ union display board, but never had he imagined that his Social Psychology professor from last semester (that he had a gigantic crush on) would be a respondent. 

 

He was so glad his best mate, Ron Weasley, wasn’t there with him to interview candidates. While Ron practically lived at Harry’s flat near campus, that June day he was on a date with his girlfriend Luna Lovegood. He wouldn’t be a witness to Harry’s embarrassing reaction to his crush.  

 

“Hello, Professor Granger.” He tried to sound nonchalant as he opened the door wider. “What a surprise! Please come in.”  

 

Hermione Granger’s honey brown eyes barely disguised her shock at seeing him. Harry winced at the picture he made – joggers, a tank top because it was so muggy in his apartment and of course the air conditioner wasn’t working, and messier than usual hair. He also was wearing glasses, since he felt more comfortable wearing them at home. He saved contact lenses for going outside or whenever he worked out. Compared to Hermione, who took his breath away in a periwinkle blue romper and her brown curls in a braid, he was an absolute disaster.  

 
She cleared her throat, then walked delicately past him. “Thank you, Mr. Potter.” Once he closed the door behind them, she turned to face him. “I must admit, I didn’t expect that the owner of the ad I saw on the display board would be you. But it caught my eye, and I’m in need of a place to stay right now...”  

 

Harry blinked, surprised at her candidness. “Is everything okay, Professor? I mean – if you don’t want to talk about it, I understand.” He added hastily. He’d only posted the ad a few days ago – to have someone answer it already, his brilliant and beautiful professor/crush even, was beyond his wildest dreams.  

 

She smiled faintly. “Let’s just say I had an unexpected change of plan with my lease. The person I lived with cut it early without telling me and is now moving out, so I’ve hunted pretty much all day. Your place is the last one on my list.”  

 

Harry was so tempted to tell Professor Granger that she could move in that very minute, but he stopped himself. While he was no longer her student and there was less risk of losing her job and reputation, he didn’t know exactly what she wanted in a flat or even if she was fine rooming with him . “Well, I can give you the grand tour,” he offered. “And if it’s not what you’re looking for, that’s alright.” He flashed her a cheeky grin. “Don’t worry, I already submitted my professor evaluation.”  

 

To his surprise, Professor Granger chuckled. “A tour sounds wonderful!” She took in the state of the flat; it was clean and well furnished, with some personal touches here and there (framed photos, a nature painting or quirky quote, and even some potted plants). “Is it just you, or...?”  

 

Harry followed her gaze, realizing her unspoken question. “The plants were a gift from my mate; he’s really into gardening. I don’t have a green thumb, sadly.” He shrugged. “I’m the only one living here – there was someone before, but they moved out a while ago.” He decided not to mention that the previous occupant was his toxic ex. Taking a deep breath, he motioned for her to follow him. “Ready, Professor?” 
 

She shook her head. “Okay, one thing before we start: I’m no longer your professor, so you can call me Hermione.”   

 

“Hermione.” He tasted her name; it felt delicious in his mouth.  “Fine. Then you might as well call me Harry.” He sent her a dazzling grin. “Now, shall we?”  

 
*** 

 

Hermione Granger was in trouble.  

 

Deep trouble.  

 

Forget about the fact that her (thankfully) ex-boyfriend had cheated and cut her out of their shared flat lease without telling her; she could handle that. Even if she silently cursed herself for looking twice at Marcus Flint and wasting five years with him. Even if she’d had to scramble everywhere, looking for places that were available for rent or needed a roommate.   
 
No, Hermione was not prepared for the sight of a disheveled Harry Potter in a tank top and joggers, wearing glasses and giving her charming lopsided smiles. Although nothing had happened between them when he was her student, Hermione found it difficult to ignore his presence in class. Since it was a graduate level course, Hermione had the highest expectations for her students. She tried to be fair and patient, since life could life to anyone at any moment. She also knew that people had other responsibilities and activities outside school – sports, clubs, jobs, family support, and so on. Education was important, but it shouldn’t take over someone’s life. 

 

Hermione had learned that the hard way.  

 
The day Harry Potter had walked into her Social Psychology class, showing that same bright grin, Hermione wrote him off as another attractive man who needed an “Easy Pass” class and didn’t know what hard work meant. 

 

Time had proven her wrong; as the semester passed, Hermione realized that Harry was more than the carefree, popular, big man on campus she perceived him to be. He listened, took notes, and asked questions which allowed for lively discussions. When the class sometimes worked together in groups, he did his share of the work and didn’t complain. She saw him take notes for others too, for the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services. And he never made a pass at her; while she could sense his admiration during her lectures, his comments were always about the current topic or project.  

 

The last day of class, after he turned in his final exam, the only thing Harry had said to her was “Have a great holiday, Professor Granger.” That lopsided smile would haunt her, she thought as he walked out of the room.  

 

Hermione didn’t imagine that she would see him again, let alone that he would give her a tour of his flat.  
 
She shook off her wandering thoughts and tried to focus on Harry’s comments about the floor plan. “On your left is the kitchen and living room, it’s all open. The door you see near the dining table is for my bedroom. There’s also an attached closet and loo. And on your right,” he pointed, “is the second bedroom and walk-in closet. The loo is across the way, and next to it are the washer and dryer.”  
 

Hermione clapped her hands in delight, then felt Harry’s gaze on her and stopped. “Uh, it’s just that I always wanted to have a washer and dryer included in my own place. In the last flat, we had the laundry room downstairs and everyone had to share.” She explained with a sheepish smile. “And we had to pay extra to use them.” 
 
Harry whistled through his teeth. “That’s horrible; it’s like a scam.” 

 

“It was a scam,” Hermione muttered grimly. “The person I lived with chose it, because he knew the landlord.” She opened the door for the second bedroom, pleasantly surprised to see that it was tidy and well lit. The bed was in the middle of the room, with the dresser and TV stand across. A small yet elegant desk was near the window, with a view of the surrounding restaurants and shops. “ Wow .” She couldn’t stop herself from imagining her books, clothes and photos everywhere, imagining herself living here.  

 

Then she walked backwards, nearly stumbling into Harry. “Oh!”  

 

With ridiculously fast reflexes, he caught her.  

 

***  

 

Harry felt her breath quicken; he kept his hands away from sensitive areas but tried to keep her steady. “Sorry, I should have warned you.” His voice was calm, yet his heart was beating wildly.  

 

“It’s fine,” she whispered. Then she pulled away slowly, almost regretfully.  

 

Harry watched as Hermione straightened her clothes. Already he missed the feeling of her in his arms, how she fit perfectly against him. As if they were matching pieces of a puzzle. He cleared his throat, hoping that the awkward silence would dissipate.  
 
“So...thank you for showing me your flat, Harry. It’s very lovely,” Hermione stated. Her eyes lingered on one of the plants Neville had gifted him. “I’ll keep looking around a bit.” She sounded wistful, or maybe he was hoping too much. 

 

He nodded as he followed her toward the front door. “Thank you, Hermione. You have my contact info, if you have any questions.”  

 

She hesitated for a moment, then held out her hand. He shook it, enjoying how it felt in his larger one. “Sounds good to me.” With a wave, she opened the door and left.  

 

Harry stood there, still in disbelief. A slight floral scent lingered in the air, hitting his nostrils. It was her perfume.  

 

Then he chuckled to himself. At least he now knew Professor Granger felt something toward him.  

 

(A week later, Hermione messaged him: When’s the soonest date I can move in? )  

Notes:

I wrote two or three other ideas for this but bailed on them...this one actually worked out, yay!

Many thanks to YK for putting together this fest and being really supportive overall! And thank you to the HMS Harmony Tent members (y'all know who you are) for their encouragement and awesomeness <3

And I don't know if this will be continued, but I enjoyed writing reverse age gap with these two :) I didn't specify their ages here, but Harry's around 21-22 and Hermione's in her mid 30s.