HARRY POTTER: THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN
Hey. I'm new to this site and this is my first ever fan fiction. I have read a few fanfics and decided to write my own in order to improve my writing as I'm heading off to college this fall. I don't consider myself to be a better writer than JKR, just that she could have made it a better story by doing things differently.
That said, this will be an H/Hr fic. Of all the things that annoyed me in the last 2 books of the series, the biggest was the R/Hr pairing. It makes absolutely no sense. I am convinced that Hermione loved Harry till the end and is supported by many examples in DH, the most obvious being that she chose to stay with Harry when Ron deserted them. She only settled for Ron because Harry was too bloody oblivious, thanks to his loveless childhood with the Dursleys. I may have been able to stomach the Harry/Ginny pairing if their relationship had developed throughout the books. However, the sudden transformation of Ginny from the 'sister of Ron' in the 5 initial books into Super!Ginny in book 6 just makes me want to bash my head against a wall. It's unreal, unbelievable and oedipal (she looks like his mum!).
I don't particularly like the character of Ron. He is mean, insensitive, selfish, petty and jealous. I haven't decided if there will be any Ron bashing but you should be warned either way.
While this won't be a Super!Harry story, Harry will grow stronger and smarter, but at a believable pace. I refuse to believe that 3 teenagers beat the worst Dark Lord and his minions due to an insane amount of good luck and some guardian angel watching over them.
Now that I've ranted, I'll just give the disclaimer and get on with the story. I'll just do it once and it should be understood that it is applicable for the whole story and not just a single chapter.
DISCLAIMER:All characters and settings that you may recognize in this story belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money off this and the only profit I am deriving is the satisfaction of making things go the way i feel they should have gone.
Chapter 1
This takes place near the end of third year, right after Snape shouted at Harry and Hermione for rescuing Sirius.
As Dumbledore and Fudge left the dormitory, Madam Pomfrey hurried to the door and locked it again. Muttering angrily to herself, she headed back to her office.
There was a low moan from the other end of the ward. Ron had woken up. They could see him sitting up, rubbing his head, looking around.
'What-what happened?', he groaned. 'Harry? Why are we in here? Where's Sirius? Where's Lupin? What's going on?'
Harry and Hermione looked at each other
'You explain', said Harry, helping himself to some more chocolate.
Hermione glared at him lightly, moved onto his bed to sit beside him and stole some of his chocolate, ignoring his squawk of protest. Sighing and leaning slightly against Harry, she began recounting the events that occurred after Ron had passed out.
'Bloody hell Harry! You actually conjured a Patronus mate!', an amazed Ron exclaimed. 'I always miss the most interesting parts of our adventures.'
'Honestly Ron, there is nothing interesting about a hundred Dementors trying to give you your first kiss.' an incredulous Hermione replied. 'We could have died if Harry hadn't been able to do that.' She then turned towards Harry. 'I must say again Harry, that was a very powerful piece of magic, especially for a thirteen year old. Did you know that the majority of adult witches and wizards can't perform that charm correctly? It's why Dementors are so devastatingly effective against criminals. And to think Sirius spent 12 years with them…' she trailed off shuddering at the memory of her own experience with them.
Harry, thinking she was cold, wrapped an arm around Hermione and faced Ron, not noticing the slight blush that had covered Hermione's face. 'She's right Ron, trust me, you don't want to be anywhere near them.'
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey reentered the dormitory. 'All right that's enough. You've all had an exciting evening and Mr. Weasley here needs rest to recover. I'm giving him a Dreamless Sleep potion, I suggest the two of you rest as well. You may leave in the morning after breakfast.', she said, pouring the potion in a goblet for Ron. He was knocked out as soon as he swallowed it. Madam Pomfrey took his goblet from his hands and placed it onto his bedside table. With a stern gaze at Harry and Hermione to remind them that they better sleep soon as well, she went back to her office.
The two third years sat there in silence, Harry's arm still around Hermione's shoulders and her head resting lightly on his. As Harry sighed and threw his head back to observe the ceiling, he thought back to the events of the night and realised that he couldn't have done half of it if not for the witch beside him. That thought led to him reevaluate his friendship with her. He realised that he had been a royal prick to her this past year and thought of how much he must have hurt her left him feeling sick. Despite that, Hermione had come through for him again, risking her life for his godfather, a person they had thought to be a delusional mass murderer after Harry scant hours ago.
Meanwhile, Hermione, feeling particularly content, contemplated the familiar tingly sensation she experienced whenever she was with Harry like this. She remembered how terrified she had been when flying on the Hippogriff as she wasn't particularly fond of heights. She also remembered how exhilarating it had felt, with her arms wrapped tight around Harry's midsection her face buried in his back and her blood pounding through her veins, making her feel surreal and lightheaded.
What does it mean? Is it my magic reacting with his?
Don't be stupid, it doesn't suit you. You know very well what it means.
Who asked you?
I am you. You are asking yourself. Ergo, you asked me.
Smart-arse inner Hermione. I wonder if Harry and Ron feel like this when I talk to them.
They do.
Urgh! Let's get back to the issue at hand. Now, what does this tingling mean? I've been feeling it since the middle of second year, she thought nibbling on her bottom lip.
You like him idiot.
I resent that slight on my intellect. And of course I like him, he's my best friend.
I mean you like like him.
Whatever does that mean?
DO I NEED TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU WOMAN? YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM!
I most certainly do not!
You do!
Do not!
Do too!
Do not!
Harry interrupted this mental debate by sighing and running his free hand through his hair, distracting Hermione and making it even messier. He shot a furtive look at Hermione before looking up at the ceiling again.
'Hey Hermione?'
'Yes Harry?'
'Thank you.'
'Whatever for?', asked Hermione, a little taken aback by the sincerity in his words.
'For helping me save Sirius. For nagging me to do my homework. For pushing me to better in class. For caring for me. For giving me the first hug I remember. For being the best friend a bloke could ask for. For being you, Hermione.'
Hermione felt her throat choking and a stinging behind her eyelids. That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her! And she had to admit, that while she did everything for Harry and Ron because she cared, it had hurt that her efforts weren't acknowledged and that she was outright ridiculed by Ron. Coming from Harry, this expression of gratitude meant a lot to her.
Gaining control of her emotions and clearing her throat, she asked, 'That's very sweet of you Harry and I definitely appreciate the gratitude, but what brought it on all of a sudden?'
Harry ran his hand through his hair again and looking straight into her chocolate brown eyes, answered, 'Well, I was thinking about how glad I was that you had a time-turner with you so we could save Sirius and then I started thinking about how glad I was that you were with me today, which in turn made me think of how glad I was that you are my friend. Then I realized that while I certainly am thankful, I've never shown you my appreciation. You're my best friend, Hermione.'
'You're my best friend too Harry.', said Hermione with a smile tugging at her lips at the genuine warmth in his voice.
'NO! I'm not!', said Harry vehemently, throwing his arms up in the air. He continued, ignoring Hermione's startled expression, 'Don't you see? You have been so good to me and I've been a prat. I've treated you like trash and you don't deserve it. You are always looking out for me and I respond by not even defending you when Ron starts fighting with you. I never take your side, even when I know you're almost always right!'
'I've been especially terrible to you this year. First the Firebolt and then Crookshanks. Hagrid had to remind me that I should hold you more important than a broomstick or a rat to make me realize what an arse I was being.'
'Oh Harry!', Hermione cried, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face in the crook of his neck. 'It was my fault too! I know how those horrid relatives of yours treated you and denied you gifts. I should have talked to you about my suspicions. Instead I just tattled to McGonagall about the most precious gift you've ever received.'
Harry put his arms around her waist, the feeling of the wetness of her tears against his neck instantly calming him down and as he cursed himself for making her cry again. 'What I'm trying to say is, that I'm sorry for the way I have treated you in the past. I have to stop making allowances for Ron just because he was my first friend. You are equally as important to me and from now on, I'll ensure that you know that. I'm going to earn the right to be called your best friend. So, going back to where we started, Thank you Hermione.', he whispered softly.
Hermione's heart melted and she pulled away slightly. Looking deep into his emerald green eyes, she whispered back just as softly, 'You're welcome Harry.' Then she did something she had never done before and she kissed him chastely on the cheek.
Harry had a stunned expression on his face. As far as he remembered, no one had ever done that to him, not even Mrs. Weasley though he was quite certain that his own mother would have kissed him. He lifted a hand to lightly graze the spot on his cheek Hermione had kissed and a small smile grew on his face as he slightly tightened his hold on the witch in his arms.
However, Hermione missed all of this as she had buried her furiously blushing face back into the crook of Harry's neck. When she felt his arms tighten around her, a smile blossomed on her face and she thought to herself All right, I have a crush on him.
Told you.
Shut up!
Well that concludes the first chapter. Please review and let me know what you think.
I also need a beta. I would really appreciate any help I can get.
Yellowjacket