-1
It was very late at night when Harry heard a faint piano playing. Oddly enough, for the first time, he wasn't hearing Hermione's sobs. Something that had become so frequent after Ron's rude departure. Harry seemed to now be accepting the thought of his two best friends as a couple. It had never occurred to him however, how he would feel if it became serious. He still wasn't very used to seeing their new relationship
The night was silent, aside from the faint piano that was getting louder. As Harry got up from his bunk, he noticed the shadow of a person sitting in a chair directly in front of the flaps of the tent. The silhouette was in the shape of Hermione.. Hermione stood up and stared out into the night. The little he could see from her face revealed that she was deep in remorse. Harry was caught off guard when the song that he noticed was coming from the wireless radio, started developing vocals.
Time
is gonna take my mind
and carry it far away where I can fly
He looked back at Hermione to see her once again crying. It was all bloody Ron's fault.
He doesn't deserve her…
Harry was taken aback at what he had just thought. He was beyond angry at Ron at the moment. Surely he wasn't admitting to himself that Ron didn't deserve Hermione.
But you just did. She deserves better. YOU can treat her better. You have always treated her better
'No! Hermione's happy with Ron, he just needs to mature more.' he argued with himself.
You know a thousand years won't ever be enough to make Ron worthy of Hermione.
Harry ran his hands frustratingly through his unruly hair.
The
depth of life will dim my temptation to live for you
If I were to
be alone silence would rock my tears
'cause it's all about love
and I know better
How life is a waving feather
Harry's thoughts were disrupted by Hermione's sobs, which seemed to have been triggered by the lyrics that sounded terribly melancholy.
Hermione turned towards Harry, and as if by instinct ran to him with her arms open wide. Harry, who last year didn't know how to console a despairing Hermione, stroked her hair softly as if by reflex. He hugged her tightly. Harry was shocked at how good it felt being that close to her.
So
I put my arms around you around you
And I know that I'll be
leaving soon
Hermione bawled uncontrollably at that particular part of the song.
"Hermione it'll be fine. He'll come back to his senses. He'll be okay" said Harry consolingly.
Hermione looked up at him, giving him more of a weird grimace than a smile.
"I'm not like this because of Ron…well not entirely" said Hermione softly.
Harry looked back at her tear streaked face bemusedly.
"Then why?"
"Because of you" replied Hermione.
Harry's arms dropped from the embrace. Surely she would not leave him too? Losing Ron was painful enough but Hermione? That would be unbearable. He felt a hot surge of anger towards Ron. This was all his fault.
"You're regretting staying aren't you? Well GO!!! Go with your bloody Boyfriend!!! You really are tremendous friends" shouted Harry furiously.
Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head.
"That's not what I meant" said Hermione as she remained oddly calm.
"Then what is it ?" asked Harry heatedly.
"It's what Ron said to me before he left that has been bothering me this whole time." Hermione explained.
"He was right. I chose you. My heart chose you"
Harry felt numb. There was a weird buzzing noise in the air. All was quiet except for the song playing in the background which had become louder.
No,
I won't step back but I'll look down to hide from your eyes
'cause
what I feel is so sweet and I'm scared that even my own breath
"What?" he blurted out, confused.
"Ron was right. I stayed because of you. Now I feel awful that he might be in danger…but I couldn't leave you. My heart wouldn't let me."
"Hermione-"
Hermione walked closer to him and put a hand up on his cheek.
"Please don't say anything. I've got to let it out. It's the only way for closure"
Harry was struggling with himself internally. She couldn't be serious! It had been so obvious that she was in love with Ron.
She can't be if she stayed with you his mind told him arrogantly.
"Harry I love you. You have no idea how scared I am of telling you this. But after Ron left, it gave me time to think about everything. I love you so much! But I've got to move on. You obviously will never seen me in that way." said Hermione tearfully, taking in all his features. "Ron seems to be willing to change. So I might as well try to work things with him."
Oh
could burst it if it were a bubble
And I'd better dream if I have
to struggle
"Tonight, I just want to live a dream. You and me. I don't want to think about the war or Ron or Ginny." said Hermione caressing his cheek. "I just want this moment, just this one moment that I can treasure forever. Whatever the outcome may be."
Harry stroked her hair. He couldn't believe this was happening. All this time he had let his feelings aside because he was sure Hermione really loved Ron. Only Ron. Now she was declaring it in a somber way. It wasn't really how Harry envisioned this scene in his mind. Yet something else was preventing him of acting out his impulses. Ron. Ron, despite what had happened, was still his best friend. He was a brother to him. He had seen what jealousy could do to a friendship. Ron had left precisely because he felt something was going on with Harry and Hermione. What would happen if he ever found out something had happened between them?
So
I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no
wrong
Hermione closed the space between them as she embraced him firmly again. Tiptoeing, she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Don't say anything." said Hermione softly.
"Please." she added almost pleadingly.
Harry instinctively held her tighter. He closed his eyes as he took in everything that was happening.
My
eyes are on you they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me
They swayed in time to the melancholy music.
Harry agreed that he too would cherish this moment forever. His troubles seemed to vanish into the still air. It seemed Hermione always managed to erase his troubles. Only now he knew Hermione's feeling were reciprocate and they could not act upon it because of the loyalty they had to their respective partners. The somber music appeared to reflect the gloomy scene that was happening.
I'm
dancing in the room as if I was in the woods with you
No need for
anything but music
Music's the reason why I know time still exists
Harry couldn't take it anymore he had to let her know how he felt. Even though they both knew it couldn't be acted upon.
"Hermione," said Harry softly, backing away from her to see her face, but not enough to disengage himself. "I love you too. I always have. But too much is at stake. So many people would get hurt."
Hermione's lips trembled as she nodded her head in agreement.
"But there's something I have been longing for forever and I'd go crazy if I didn't do it" said Harry as he held her chin.
Hermione looked at him questionably.
Harry drew her in slowly until their lips met at last. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was like he remembered Cho's kiss, wet, but so much passion, so much longing , it evoked so much feelings that there was no way to describe it. There weren't enough words in the dictionary. He caressed her back lovingly. He wanted to make this last, this moment after all would only live on in his heart and mind. Those two things had belonged to Hermione since he met her and would always belong to her.
Time
still exists
Time still exists
Time still exists
Harry reluctantly broke the kiss but did not get out of the embrace. They both needed to hold on to the moment for as long as possible. They had both taken so long to act out on their feelings. Now they had no choice but to just take in this moment. They would now always have a powerful thought for a strong patronus. At least there was a silver lining.
So
I put my arms around you around you
And I hope that I will do no
wrong
My eyes are on you they're on you
They continued to hold each other as the music played. Dancing slowly. Hermione let the rest of the unshed tears fall.
And
I hope that you won't hurt me
So I put my arms around you around
you
And I hope that I will do no wrong
My eyes are on you
they're on you
And I hope that you won't hurt me
