Disclaimer: I do not anybody in the Harry Potter series. Very, very sad and poor me.
Harry or Me?
Chapter One – It All Began
She's always like that these past few days. It's like she is always on a trance. Thinking about other things, she doesn't usually spend time to think about. Crookshanks knew that his human always read, and read, and read. Just endless reading but this week she's being terrible. It's not that she hurts him. No, his human really loved him so much but she often forgets to feed him on time. Now, that is not he is used to. He always eats on time and frequently, they walk out in the castle lawn when the sun is shining brightly.
Today is such a good day for a fresh morning walk. The sun is not too hot and the air is not too cold, just right. How I wish my human would take me out for a walk. It's not he can't walk around the school alone, he just want to be with her.
Crookshanks got up from his usual place in the Gryffindor Common Room and lazily walk towards Hermione. If his human won't take him out, he will take her out. As he continued pacing along the room, he saw Harry walk towards Hermione. Of course, Harry got to Hermione first before Crookshanks did.
"H-Harry!" Hermione greeted her friend in a quivering voice. She stood up immediately knocking the ink bottle in the table. "Oh…" Hermione quickly grabbed her wand and cleared the mess. Harry was just watching his friend intently.
Hermione looked up Harry and smile weakly. "Sorry for the mess."
Harry nodded and smiled. "It's okay. I also do that, you know."
Hermione quickly nodded and picked up her books. "You want to use the table? I'm done, you can use it. Or, are you looking for Ron? I think, he's with Dean and Seamus."
Harry locked his eyes on Hermione's. Hermione tried to avoid the green gaze but failed. Her brown orbs just looked at Harry's green eyes.
"H-Harry?" she asked him full of uncertainty. "Are you alright? D-Did you hear me?"
"Yes, I heard you 'Mione. I'm alright and I'm not really looking for Ron. I was looking for you." Harry answered quickly as soon as Hermione tried to walk away from him.
"Oh…" is all Hermione could mutter. "Do you want me to check your assignment in Arithmancy?"
Harry smiled and shook his head no. Hermione frowned and look at him quizzically. She was about to ask him when Harry answered.
"I want to go out and I thought you might want to go out too." Harry answered. "The sun is brightly shining, you know. Perfect for roaming around the garden."
"Oh…" is all again Hermione could say.
Harry took her hand. "Hermione, will you accompany me?"
"W-Why, yes, of course." After this, Harry firmly grasped her hand and gently led her out of the common room.
Now, Crookshanks tried to get to Hermione but Ron held him up. Try as he may to but he just can't get Ron let him go. He got so angry that he scratched his whole arm like a an ordinary cat gone wild and scampered away as soon as Ron let go with a howl. He tried to follow the couple moving out the room when somebody, again, stopped him. He looked up and saw Ginny. Crookshanks couldn't believe it. The Slytherin's girl is stopping him? How I wish I could scratch her like I did to Redhead but she is my human's best friend and I actually like her. Too bad.
Crookshanks look around as Ginny picked him up and lightly scratched his head. And where could Greeneye take his human?
As if she heard what the cat was thinking, Ginny answered as she took a seat. "Don't worry Crookshanks. Hermione will be okay. She's with Harry; nothing wrong will happen if she's with him. "
"Take away your hands away from that maniac, Ginny!" Ron yelled at his sister. He was still nursing his scratches.
Ginny just looked at his brother sympathetically and continue with what she is doing. "But I think Crookshanks, Hermione will definitely be happy when she's back." She smiled at this remark and hummed a love song.
Now what made you think about that? What will happen to my human?
It's been one o'clock in the morning but the girl's dormitory of the Gryffindor House is still wide awake. Well, almost because half of the girls of the house are storming Hermione with questions. They're inside Hermione's room. As Head Girl, Hermione is entitled to have a room of her own. It was big enough to accommodate all the girls Parvati and Lavender invited for her slumber party. All the girls are having fun. They were talking about clothes, make-up, love spells, and of course, boys.
On the other hand, Crookshanks is not having a great time. Sure, it was nice to be surrounded by cute and pretty girls, but all the giggling made his ears ache. And he CAN'T sleep! For goodness sake, why they just can't stop being so stupid about the boys and stop giggling like mad.
"So, Hermione, what did REALLY happen this morning?" Parvati asked with a mischievous smile.
"Nothing really." Answered a nonchalant Hermione.
"Really, Hermione?" chorused all the girls. Hermione just smiled at this remark and picked up a book from her bedside table.
"Oh, no! You can't escape us." Lavender got up and snatched the book from Hermione's hand. She put it in a nearby bookshelf and slumped back on her sleeping bag. "Now, what really happen between you and Harry? He seems to be so happy and you looked blooming."
"And blushing terribly!" Padma added with a squeal. All the girls then agreed with Padmai so that poor Hermione just let out a sigh and went back on her place beside Ginny. Ginny is going to share the bed with Hermione and Crookshanks.
"Oh well, I think I can tell you."
"Great!" Ginny squealed with delight. "I want to cover you to give the whole event, Hermione, or else."
Hermione nodded and began talking. (A/N: the story is in italic. Comments from the girls are inserted in normal font.)
Harry and Hermione went out of the castle quietly. Neither of them wants to break the silence. Harry is still holding Hermione's hand as they continue to pace along castle grounds. They were heading for the lake. When they finally arrived, Harry gently let go of Hermione's hand and sat down. Hermione sat down beside him.
""Mione, what do you think you will be in the future?" ask Harry out of the blue. He, again, locked his eyes on Hermione's.
Hermione was taken aback. She wasn't expecting such question from Harry.
"Well?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled sweetly and answered. "You took up Divination, why don't you read my hands?" Hermione then offered her right hand.
Harry took it and grinned. "Yeah, why didn't I think about that?" Hermione just smiled at her friend. "Hermione," Harry was tracing the lines on her palm.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Without this whole divination thing, what do you want to be in the future?" Harry asked with a very serious tone. As Hermione opened her mouth to answer, Harry smiled and quickly said. "How can I forget? Of course, you want to be in the Ministry. Write a book and make the S.P.E.W. a real law."
Now it was Hermione's turn to look at her friend intently. The boyish grin on Harry's face concealed the fact that, he, the Boy-Who-Lived, must fight the Dark Lord. She knew that it was so hard for him. After all what happen.
"So, what do you really want, Hermione?" asked Ginny.
"Me?" answered Hermione.
"Actually, Harry, that not really what I want to happen in my life. Contrary on what you have said, I want to just a plain witch."
Harry's forehead frown. "So, what's your idea of being just a plain witch?"
"Oh, you know, being married to a wizard. Concoct potions now and then, cast spells if necessary, be a mother, raise a family, learn how to cook, clean the house..." Hermione said while looking at the birds in a nearby.
Harry could not say a word but continued to look at Hermione's smiling face.
"But I think that I can still write that book but I REALLY have to make sure that my family is not taken for granted. I have to make sure that they always feel my love." Hermione turned her head back on Harry's face. "So, what do you see?"
Harry smiled and quickly kissed Hermione's cheek. "Wish granted. You'll be what you want to be."
Hermione was again taken aback and blushed furiously. Harry, still holding Hermione's hand, kissed Hermione's palm lightly. The shocked Hermione looked up Harry's face. He was smiling and Hermione couldn't help but feel hopeless in Harry's green gaze.
"Aw…" all the girls in the room looked at Hermione dreamily.
"That is so sweet." Parvati said with a sigh.
"Hermione?"
"Y-Yes, H-Harry?" gasped Hermione. She could feel that the air can't get inside her body and Harry is draining her.
"Would you mind if I put myself in your future?" Harry asked sincerely. He looked at her face as her eyes flung wide open.
"H-Harry? A-Are you serious?" Hermione asked, full of disbelief.
"Dead serious, Hermione. Would you mind if I took the husband's part on your future?"
Hermione still couldn't believe what she is hearing. Harry is asking her to be his future. Harry smiled and wiped Hermione's eyes. She was crying because of the overwhelming feeling she's experiencing. Does it mean that Harry loved me too?
"Of course, silly!" Ginny commented.
"Sometimes, both of you are just too dense about seeing the real score between you." Lavender added as she propped her pillow properly.
"Did I say something wrong, "Mione?" asked Harry.
Hermione shook her head and looked up to see Harry's face. Her brown eyes still swimming in tears.
"H-Har-"
"Hermione, I love you." Declared Harry at last. At this point, Hermione just let all the tears to fall. She couldn't bear it. Harry loves her.
""Mione, I love you with all my heart, I don't know how to show it and prove it. Do you love me?" Harry asked while wiping the tears streaming down her face. Hermione could just nod her head to answer the man. Harry smiled at this and embraced Hermione tightly. "Why can't you say it?"
"I-" Hermione stared but she felt the tears choking her again. She just went on crying for the next minute while Harry patiently waited for her to calm down.
"H-Harry, it is just too overwhelming. I didn't expect that you'll love me."
"Why?" asked Harry. "Are you not lovable?"
Hermione shook her head no and answered. "But I'm not beautiful like Cho or Fluer."
Harry chuckled and took Hermione's lips for a quick kiss. "Who told you that you're not pretty?"
"I?" answered Hermione. She thinks that she's not beautiful and not that charming so, why would Harry like her, or rather love her.
"But I think you're beautiful, pretty charming, and very witty."
"You do?" asked Hermione, leaning on her boyfriend. Harry cuddled her and nodded. Hermione smiled at this and then thought about something. "Harry, when did you fell in love with me?"
"You don't say 'fell in love', Hermione." Harry corrected her.
"And why is that?" Hermione asked curiously.
"It's because, if you say 'fell in love', you can easily say that you 'fell out of love'. It's not like any feeling you have this minute, then gone for another minute."
"Oh…"
"Love, Hermione, is a decision we make. I've decided to love you, "Mione, when I thought I lost everything important in my life. When Sirius died, I thought that I was the unluckiest boy in the whole world, contrary on what they say about me. I thought I could never experience love again, experienced being love. But there was you, always there for me. That's when I decided that I will love you forever, come what may. I'll protect you and never let you go."
Hermione smiled at this and lightly touch Harry's black hair. "What made you think that I like you?"
Harry smiled and planted a small kiss on Hermione's exposed neck. "Ron and Ginny told me. Ginny told me that you love me and Ron told me to go for it."
Hermione laughed. "Did Ron give you the idea of asking me about my future?"
"Nah… that was my own style." Harry answered and looked up the sky. "Today is Friday, right?"
Realizing that it is indeed Friday, Hermione quickly stood up and grabbed Harry back inside the castle. They were late for transfiguration class. Surely, McGonagall will be upset about them.
"And now, we're officially on." Hermione ended her story.
"Hope that you'll last for a long time, Hermione." Wished Padma. Again all the girls agreed and let out sighs dreamily.
"Now, girls, let's all go to sleep. We don't want to wake up late and miss Hogsmead weekend, right?" asked Hermione.
"Right!" all the girls answered. They bid each other good night and sweet dreams as all the lights in the room went out.
A few weeks passed and Harry and Ron are lazily sitting on the couch near the fireplace playing chess while Hermione is checking their Arithmancy assignments. She always checks the boys' paper to make sure that they got the correct answer. Harry turned his eyes to Hermione's direction and smiled. Ron sniggered at this in very kind way.
"You do love her, don't you?" ask Ron. Harry looking in Ron's direction, nodded. "And she loves us too. Too much." Ron added and Harry nodded with agreement as he glanced on Hermione's direction again.
"Hey, Ron, I think you got number five wrong. Can you do this again?" came from Hermione. Ron stood up immediately and went to get his parchment.
Harry stretched on the couch and yawn. The day's been too tough for him. His special class on DADA is draining him with energy.
After a few minutes, Ron came back and smiled. "Good thing we got her, we can always get a good grade."
Harry just smiled and moved his knight. He again, glanced on Hermione's direction and saw Crookshanks nuzzle Hermione's hand. Hermione smiled at this gesture and picked up her cat. Harry looked at the two of them and felt a tinge of jealousy. Weird.
"Hey, mate! Something's bothering you?" ask a puzzled Ron, who, unnoticed, was babbling about his chances on Luna Lovegood.
Harry shook his head and answered. "I don't know."
"What you mean, you don't know?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, I think Crookshanks doesn't want me for Hermione."
Ron's face went to a scowl. "What did that maniac do to you?" he asked, full of contempt.
"Well, I may be just putting malice on the usual things he does-"
"What did that cat do to you?"
"He-" Harry started. "No, wait. Last night, after you went up for bed, "Mione and I were sitting on this couch."
"Snogging?" asked Ron, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Harry blushed and shook his head violently.
"No! We're just talking about Potions." He asnswered.
Ron laughed at loud that everybody in the room looked at their direction.
"Yeah, mate. I BELIEVE you!" Ron continued laughing while Harry's blushing furiously.
"You DON'T believe me, do you?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded and trying hard not to gag.
Harry got up and went to Hermione to kiss her good night while Crookshanks eyed hi suspiciously. He then went to the puzzled Ron and dragged him to the boy's dormitory. After locking the door, Harry pushed Ron to the bed and looked at him sternly. Ron was so scared that his face went white.
Harry, after seeing Ron's reaction, burst into laughs. Ron, quite relieve, went blushing. Harry always scared him.
"Don't do that again, mate!"
"Sorry." Harry apologized and smiled. "I think they're thinking that I've hex to death already."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think so."
Harry went to his bed and sat up. He then looked at Ron and grinned.
"Actually, Ron, this is what really happened last night." Harry confessed. (A/N: again, the story is italicized and the comments in normal font.)
"Hay… " Ron yawned. He got up and picked up his ink bottle and quill. "Harry, I'm so bloody sleepy, I can't keep my eyes open and wait for Hermione. Mind if I go to bed now?"
Harry shook his no. "You can go now, mate."
Ron nodded and went up stairs. A few minutes later, Hermione came straight from her rounds. She smiled when she saw Harry and sat beside him. Harry grinned at her and cuddled the girl beside him.
"Where's Ron?" asked Hermione. She looked for the presence of the loud-mouth redhead boy in the common room.
Harry pointed the stairs leading to the boy's dormitory. "Up. Said he's too sleepy to wait for you." Hermione nodded and asked for the two boy's Potions homework. Harry pointed the table beside the couch. She picked up the parchments and started reading Ron's essay on the Mandrake's Restorative Draft. She smiled now and then while reading her best friend's essay. After reading Ron's, she proceeded in reading Harry's homework. Harry was also enjoying his time, watching his girlfriend.
"So, what d'you think? Snape's going to accept those?" Harry asked while Hermione quickly rolled the papers. She shrugged her shoulders and said.
"That depends on Professor Snape. I mean, he's the one giving us the grade."
Harry smiled and playfully pinched Hermione's nose. "That's a very tactful answer, my dear 'Mione."
Hermione's laughed and answered. "But on my opinion, both of you are getting better in essay stuffs. I mean, Ron's reasons are more convincing and your paper is more logical than the usual."
Harry laughed at this remark and embraced his girl tightly. "Can I read yours?" asked Harry.
Quickly, Hermione pulled her parchment from her bag. Harry glanced at the paper, reading interesting lines in Hermione's essay.
""Mione, how can you right this very good essay when you yourself was petrified when it was made and didn't know anything about the serum?"
Hermione, taking Harry's hands off her, looked at Harry with satisfaction. Harry was being clueless, she thought.
"Harry, that's the reason why I wrote this essay. I can write the essay more…hmmm… how can I say this?" asked Hermione while Harry's hands are, again, snaking back on Hermione's body.
"Okay! I think I can write the Mandrake serum more satisfactorily than the other…" she looked at the small table beside the couch, smiling. Harry understood the message and just grinned. "Because, I, myself has experience the effects the Mandrake serum can do to a person. Plus, I did some extra research on the subject."
"So, mate, YOU were REALLY talking about Potions." Ron commented as Harry pause for a while as if trying to picture out what happen next.
"Well…"
Ron knew, with Harry's answer, that he is having a problem a little problem about discussing the next events of the evening.
"Okay, continue, mate."
"Er, then Crookshanks came and stole-"
"I know that's not what happened after the Potions subject. Come on, spill it out, mate."
"Okay, but don't tell Seamus or the other boys. Hermione will surely hex me to death." Ron assured Harry with a nod.
"Very interesting."
"What? My essay?" asked Hermione while moving closer to Harry.
"No! You are the one I'm referring to."
"Silly!" said the amused girl. Harry laughed and kissed her on the cheek.
"Really."
"Yes, Mr. Potter. I believe you." Said Hermione as she was pulled even closer to Harry. She smiled at this and look at the window. "The moon is hiding." She whispered in her lover's ear. Harry looked at the same direction but quickly turned back his attention to the girl he's with.
"Harry..?"
"Hmm…?"
"Why do you think the moon's hiding?"
Harry smiled mischievously and answered.
"Maybe because she knows what we're planning."
A very confused Hermione looked to Harry's direction. "What plans?"
"This." And Harry grabbed Hermione into a deep kiss.
She was taken a back at first, then deciding that it's no use fighting what she feels about him; she gave up, kissing Harry with the same intensity. They continued kissing for a while. Every second past seems to make the kiss much deeper than before. The passion between them is undeniable. The cold common room is flared up with the passion they are feeling each other. They were kissing like there's no tomorrow. They're giving them the most intimate thing they can give each other. It's like they're the only one left.
Hermione let out a moan she never knew she was capable of. Harry let go of her lips to breathe but immediately took Hermione's sweet lips again. Now, this kiss is even better than the first one, it is much deeper and with the feelings unleashed, both couldn't feel any inhibition. They're willing to give each other what they think is right at the moment. As his kiss traveled from her lips to her exposed neck, Harry's hand slowly move to Hermione's shoulder, deeply wanting to touch her body. Then-
"Mate, you're shagging!" exclaimed the shocked Ronald.
A very beet red Harry shook his head no and continued.
Then as he hands fumble into Hermione's robe and slowly unbuttoning her blouse when-
Crookshanks forced his self between the kissing couple and deliberately bit Harry's wandering hand. This made both of them let go of each other, very conscious of what they have just done. Hermione, after seeing Harry's hand, quickly got up and went to nearest medicine cabinet and got the medicine for his wound. Harry, wincing in pain looked at the cat's direction while Crookshanks looked at him as if trying to say that he's willing to fight Harry for the attention of Hermione.
"So, what you think?" asked Harry.
Ron looked bewildered and confused. "About what?"
"About Crookshanks."
"What's with the cat?"
"I think he hates me. I think he doesn't Hermione to be with other guys."
Ron laughed at this remark and pathetically patted Harry's shoulder. "You know, mate, that cat is acting normally. He's definitely a pain in the arse and he is just doing what he normally does to us. "
"Yeah, to you, but not to me. I think he likes me before but HE definitely hates me now."
"Just let the cat go on with his life, Harry. As long as he doesn't bother you, don't step down to his level." Advised Ron as he got up and walk towards the door.
"Ron, do you there's a possibility that Crookshanks is an animagus, I mean..."
Ron rolled his eyes and pulled Harry by hand. "Drop it, lover boy. Course he isn't. "
Harry, still not giving up on the idea that Crookshanks is an animagus, looked at Ron with an unconvinced look. "You sure?"
Shrugging his shoulders, the redhead answered. "Yeah. Come on, let's grab a late night snack." And he pulled Harry out of the room. "And by the way, I'm inviting a girl, could you please vacate the common room for me this night?"
Harry, surprised, asked. "Who? Luna?"
Ron laughed and shook his head no. "It's none of your business, mate."
"But-"
"And by the way, your kissing scene with Herms, is soo smooth. I never thought you're capable of doing that!" and they descended the stairs and into the common room where they were met by the sour-looking Crookshanks. Not letting the Crookshanks topic, Harry nudged Ron.
Ron, tired of the damn topic, just shook his head no.
"But-" Harry appealed.
"No buts, Harry. Drop it." Said the exasperated Ron. "How did you come up with such a stupid idea? Crookshanks? Jealous of you? Not a chance."
Harry stopped and pounded on the moment for a while. Is he really being stupid? He looked at the cat climbing the stairs and saw that Crookshanks has also stopped and is looking at him. Maybe, but he could be right. Well, if Crookshanks want to fight, then fine with me. Let's see who will have Hermione's attention. He, then glared at Crookshanks who answered him back with a glare. You're just a cat, Crookshanks. Just a cat.
A/N: hi all pips!!! I hope you like my story. It's supposed to be a one shot but ideas came and I've decided to make it into two long chapters. Well, hope you enjoy reading it as I've enjoyed writing it. Please read and review so I can make my works better. Well, that's all for now. Au revoir.