"Goodbye My Lover"
Chapter 2 - Im still here...but where are you?
I am a dreamer
But when I wake
You can't break my spirit
It's my dreams you take
That night Hermione had had a terrible night's sleep. She got out of bed the next morning feeling - if possible - worse than the night before. One of the advantages of having your own dormitpry as Head girl was that there was nobody around to ask what was up with you if you were feeling down. Owing to the fact that she planned on doing nothing today, Hermione took her time in getting showered and dressed. She made her way down to the common room and was met by Lavender and Parvati.
"Hermione, surely you're not going out dressed like that?"
Lavender and Parvati were both looking at her with an 'are-you-serious' sort of look on her face. Though it probably wasn't meant to sound like it Hermione took quite a bit of offence to Lavender's remark. She didn't think she tooked that bad.
"Why what's wrong with me?" asked Hermione questioningly as she looked down at her blue jumper and worn black jeans.
"No nothing's wrong," said Lavender quickly, obviously correcting herself. "I just thought you would have made a bit of an effort today."
"Why would I do that?" asked Hermione as she collapsed on the nearest seat.
"Well aren't you going out for lunch with Harry today?" asked Parvati. She looked at Hermione's confused expression. "You told us last week."
"Oh...right," said Hermione. "Um..we're not going...Harry has to play Quidditch."
Lavender tutted. "God what is it with boys and Quidditch?" she said while putting on her jacket. "Oh well knowing Harry he will make it up to you big style!"
"Sure he will," thought Hermione. "He never keeps any of his promises."
"Well we're heading down the now if you want to join us?" she aked.
"Maybe later," she lied. She had no intention of going anywhere today. "I may head to the library."
"But you said last night that you don't have any work to do?"
"I know," said Hermione.
There was an awkward silence in which Hermione just bowed her head and stared at her feet.
"Ehhh ok then, we'll keep an eye out for you incase you change your mind," said Parvati. Both girls gave Hermione a quick wave and left, leaving the common room deserted.
Hermione took this time alone to wonder if Harry would actually apologise to her. Well, she thought, he had made no effort in seeing her this morning and it was nearing half past ten.
Obviously too busy playing Quidditch.
Well she decided that she wasn't going to go look for him and give him that luxury. Instead she found herself heading to the library, her bag bulging with books. For seven years she had never failed to find something to study...even if she didn't have homework.
--
Parvati and Lavender left the common room to head downstairs. In the entrance hall they saw Harry collecting some Quidditch equipment, surrounded by his usual crowd of young fangirls (who didnt know any better).
"Hey Harry," said Lavender.
Harry turned to face the girls. "Hey girls," he said cheerily.
"More quidditch practice?" asked Lavender. "You guys seem to be doing alot lately."
"Yeah well thats what it takes to keep this in shape," said Harry smugly through a wide smile.
The girls forced a laugh and smile.
"Nah but seriously we just wanna improve her chances of winning," said Harry. "Its is our last chance remember."
Parvati butted in "Hey but I thought you and Hermione were doing something today?"
"I know but we had a change of plan turned out we were both busy today. Hermione said she had some work to catch up with or something. You know what shes like with her work."
Parvati sighed "Hmm yeah,"
"Anyway I better be going. If you girls aren't doing anything you're always welcome to come and watch. You know how we love our female fans. See you later girls."
The girls forced yet another smile and waved as Harry gave them a smug wink and strutted off - lapping up all the attention form the girls watching him.
The girls kept up their fake smile until Harry was completely out of sight.
"What. An. Arsehole," said Parvati as she rolled her eyes. "Honestly is there any sense that comes out of his mouth nowadays or is it all just crap?"
"Just crap," answered Lavender. "Both busy my ass!"
"You know he really should be directing all that flirting of his to Hermione rather than every other girl in school," said Parvati. "If Hermione even knew the amount of times he has flirted or winked at us,"
"Yeah but we couldnt tell her that, if we did it would break her heart," said Lavender.
Parvati sighed "Yeah but if we don't I think Harry may get to that first..."
--
The match turned out to be alot longer then Harry had predicted. It was nearing half five when him and Ron were making their way from the changing rooms and back to the castle.
"I was planning on scheduling a team friendly with Ravenclaw next Sunday if you're up for it?" asked Harry.
"Bloody hell Harry are you trying to kill me?" asked Ron. Harry laughed. "Well I'm not doing anything are you sure you're not?"
Harry mind then shot to Hermione. He paused. "...no I won't be."
"Not seeing Hermione?" he asked curiously.
"Oh she won't mind," said Harry, casting Ron's comment aside.
Ron paused at the unusual harshness of Harry's tone. "So where was she today?" he asked.
Harry felt a short stab of guilt but it soon dissappeared when he thought of Hermone's behaviour the night before. "No idea," he replied. "Library maybe?"
"All day?" asked Ron sarcastically. "Well now you think about it.." he added grinning to himself. "I thought she would have came to see you today," he said. "She hasn't visited you at practice for weeks."
"No," said Harry. "No she hasn't."
Ron noticed the bitter tone of Hrarry's voice. "Everthing ok mate?"
"Yeah fine," he lied. "Look I'm going to try find Hermione I'll get you at dinner later. See you."
"Yeah see you," said Ron.
As he watched Harry run towards the castle Neville approached him. "Hey what's up?"
Ron sighed. "You know im not usually one to pu the blame on us guys but...Hermione's my best friend too and...he's treating her like shit Neville."
Neville turned to look at Harry in the distrance. He sighed too. "So whats new? Why is Hermione still putting up with him?"
"She loves him," said Ron. "But I know she's not happy...but she wants to be"
"The whole school knows he's being an arsehole," said Neville.
"Yeah," said Ron. "...except himself."
And as you move on...
...remember me.
Remember us and what we used to be...
Unbeknown to Harry, Ron and Neville Hermione had spent the last half an hour sitting outside in the grounds. She watched as Ron and Harry had left the stadium, spoke and then parted as Harry walked on himself. She was only a matter of meters away from him, she could have easily ran over to him but...for some reason...the distance seemed so much farther in her head. She could see him growing further and further away...and she didn't know what to do.
--
By the time Harry made it to the library, Hermione was making her way out. Her mind was so deep in thought that she almost collided with Harry.
"Sorry." she muttered.
Harry leaned in for a kiss but she twisted her head so he only got her cheek. This caught Harry off guard.
"Eh...how was your day?" he asked.
Hermione looked at him in shock. How could he have the nerve to ask her that?!
"Oh well you know spending the whole day alone in the library is a scream! Way much better than a romantic date in Hogmeade!"
Hermione pushed her way passed him and began to walk away. Now Harry was getting pissed off. He soon cought up with her and grabbed her arm roughly to hold her back.
"Ow! Don't pull me like that Harry, it hurts,"
"We've been through this before," snapped Harry. "I can't can-"
"-cancel a bloody team match because they're too bloody important," said Hermione finishing his sentence. "Yes I know."
"Well why didn't you come and watch me today?" asked Harry bitterly.
"And why would I want to watch you play Quidditch all day...for the millionth time!?"
"Well Parvati came to watch Dean," Harry spat. "It's what all the other girlfriends do!"
"Well I apologise but I'm not like other girlfriends! You've ditched me yet again and its really starting to annoy me!"
Harry shook his head at her in shock. "You are so selfish! Why don't you actually show me some support for once in your life!"
Hermione froze, stunned at what Harry had said. Other students who were passing by in the corridor also stopped, they too stunned by Harry's words. Memories of the past 7 years flashed through Hermione's head. Her eyes began to sting with tears, her breath shaky.
"I don't support you? Is that what you said?"
Harry said nothing and Hermione continued to stare at him.
"I...dont supprt you?"
Harry stared blankly at her. She saw nothing in his eyes - no love, no caring.
"Who has risked her life to be by your side for seven years? Who has continuously broken school rules to help you? Who has stuck by you through thick and then when NOBODY believed your word?! WHO?"
Before Harry had got a chance to respond Hermione ran off in tears. He recieved one or two dissapproving stares from passers by but he didn't care. He was too pissed off to bother about them...or to follow Hermione.
"She always cries - she'll be fine."