3 a.m.
Harry stepped out of the cab and handed the driver a twenty dollar bill.
"Keep the change." The poor man deserved it, having to drive around town at
3 A.M.
The cabby's eyes lit up. "Thanks!"
Harry smiled and stumbled up to stairs to his flat, taking out his keys. He
rubbed his tired eyes. Man, he couldn't wait until he could just crash and
not wake up until noon. That club had worn him out. Wizards really knew how
to party.
As he unlocked the door, he remembered that Ron and Hermione, were staying
the night. The week, actually, as Ron was getting another room added to his
house, in anticipation for Hermione's moving in with him. He had been
thrilled when she'd agreed, though less thrilled to discover it was merely
a stall tactic on her part. She wasn't ready for an engagement yet, she'd
told him. But insofar, Harry thought his best friend happy with the
situation.
Closing the door, Harry passed through the living room, grinning when he
noticed the made-for-a-romance-book scene on the couch. Ron and Hermione
had fallen asleep, Ron's arms wrapped protectively around his girlfriend,
her head cuddled up under his chin. A small blanket was draped over their
resting bodies. Harry guessed Ron had slipped it over them before falling
into a deep sleep.
Taking a pit stop in the kitchen for a cup of cold water, Harry walked out,
yawning and concentrating on not spilling his cup as he stumbled tiredly
towards the stairs. Bed, was his only conscious thought.
A voice behind him whispered, "I love you."
He jumped, water sloshing over the edge of the cup. What was that? He
turned around. Was it Hermione? Had she been talking to him?
He set his glass on the hall table and walked cautiously toward the couch.
He sighed in relief when he noticed that she was still asleep, her chest
moving up and down in slow, even breathing. "She was just talking in her
sleep," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his unruly hair.
"Hell, Ron does it too."
He must've been more tired than he thought if he was going around getting
spooked by sleeptalkers.
"I love you so much. You don't understand how much I just want to be with
you--to be in your arms."
Harry heard Hermione whisper again, her voice filled with longing.
"Oh I love you so much--"
He smiled. Maybe he should tell Ron about this. His friend would relish the
fact that his girlfriend loved him so much. He'd always known they were
meant to be.
"Harry."
He froze. Had she woken up?
"I love you, Harry."
Harry gasped. What the hell...
"Ron. No. Wait...please. Ron!"
Oh God. Was she dreaming about telling Ron?
"I'm sorry you found out this way. I love you Ron, I do, but...but not the
way I love Harry." Hermione shifted in Ron's arms restlessly. "I would give
my soul for him, I love him so much. Ron, please, don't! I just want you to
understand..."
Harry swore under his breath and grabbed his keys. He was going out again.
Suddenly, crashing in his bed didn't sound so appealing anymore. Spending
the night under the same roof as Hermione after what he'd just heard didn't
sound so appealing either. He didn't love her. Not like that. And even if
he did, good God, he wouldn't dream of stealing Ron's woman.
The door slammed shut.
Ron choked back tears.
He'd awakened when Harry had been rummaging around in the kitchen...and had
just heard every word of his girlfriend's confession.
He wished he hadn't.
