Hey everyone, thank you for your reviews!!! There is a little warning because there is some OOC with Harry and Draco, so it can flow with the ideas that I had for the fic, but I tried to keep them true to their original character. Let me know what you think and keep the reviews coming, it really helps with my writing and updating :)
The familiar smell of sausages and bacon awoke her the next morning. She glanced at her alarm clock, 7:08. She groaned. She pulled the covers over her head hoping sleep would reclaim her. But since when did she get what she wanted? A dark shadow walked into her room and flipped on the lights. "Mrs. Weasley says it's time to get up Hermione." It was Harry.
Hermione stayed in bed, pretending to be asleep, but he knew she had heard him and he left. What a prat! She thought to herself. 'Coming in here, like nothings happened.' She slowly dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. She didn't have to take her clothes off, she had fallen asleep naked. She let the warm water wash over her body and face, awakening her little. When she was alive enough, she got out of the shower and dressed. She combed her hair and pulled it up into a bun. She walked slowly down the stairs, reliving the night before. 'How dare he!' She thought to herself.
She had thought that many times, but he still had the power, the control. She took her seat at the table, across from Ron, and between Ginny and Harry. "Morning' 'mione" Ron said, with a yawn. Ron hated waking up early. Ginny smiled and muttered a hardly distinctive "morning." Harry, however, smiled at her like nothing was wrong and said, "Hello, 'mione. Sleep well?" Hermione clenched her teeth. "Fine." She muttered, hoping people would mistake her anger for tiredness.
Mrs. Weasley came then and piled the table high with bacon, eggs, sausages and pancakes. Everyone filled their plate to a desired amount and dug in. Even Hermione felt a little hungry, but while she ate, she had a strange suspicion that Harry was staring at her. She looked determinedly the other way, talking to Ginny about new robes.
People passed in and out of the kitchen. Tonks came in and entertained them for a while, with her new mo-hawk hair-do. Lupin came in and announced to them the full moon was tomorrow, so Snape would be there to make the potion for him. Everyone groaned at this. Greasy-haired, beady-eyed Professor Snape, their least favorite teacher at Hogwarts, was not going to be an enjoyable visit. Especially for Harry.
'Just great' Hermione thought to herself. He'll be furious and stay longer tonight. Whenever Harry was mad, or lonely, or sad, he tended to be rougher and/or stay longer. Hermione looked down at her plate, playing with her sausage a little. When she looked up, she realized she was alone in the room. She noticed Harry telling everyone a joke in the drawing room.
Hermione sighed, trying hard not to cry. But everything that had been happening in the past and present, her break-up with Viktor, Ron's jealousy, her last night with Viktor, Harry's rape nights all jumbled through her head until she couldn't take it anymore. She let out a small, soft wail, crying silently. "Hermione? What's wrong? Are you all right?" Hermione looked up just in time to stifle another sob and notice Ron running toward her, a worried look on his freckled face.
"Mione? 'Mione, what is it? Are you okay? What happened?" Ron looked scared and confused. He kept asking her what was wrong, not giving her a chance to reply. With each question he got louder and louder. Finally Hermione managed to get a word in, "Ron, hush!"
He looked up at her bewildered. "What?" He asked confused. Hermione just shook her head. She wanted nothing more than for Ron to leave, but what was she to say to him? 'Oh, yeah, I was just crying for no reason, ya know? Just started crying...' Even in her head, the words sounded stupid.
"C'mon, let's go upstairs, we can talk there." Ron said, clearly hoping to get more information. Hermione half-nodded and half-shrugged giving the appearance that her head and shoulder were out of control.
Ron put his arm around her and half-dragged her upstairs. He took her into her room and set her on the bed gently. He waited politely for her to catch her breath and regain most of the color in her face. Hermione thought this very nice of Ron, considering the fact that he probably had no idea what was going on and was anxious to find out. 'I'll bet he wouldn't rape anyone.' Hermione heard herself thinking. She had thought this about most guys that were nice to her, after Harry started raping her.
But Ron who seemed to think she was in good enough form to answer questions now interrupted her thoughts. "What is it 'mione? Are you hurt? What is it?" Ron asked, urgently looking at her expectantly.
Suddenly, Hermione felt very tired. "Oh, Ron, it's nothing." She said, softly.
Ron erupted. "NOTHING! What are you talking about? You burst out crying in the middle of the kitchen for NOTHING?!"
Hermione started to back away a little scared. "It's just . . . well. . ."
"Yes???" Said Ron impatiently.
"It's just . . ." Hermione trailed off. "It's just Voldemort and everything. You know. . ." She trailed off again.
Ron, who had flinched rather badly at the mention of Voldemort's name, looked relieved. "That's all?" He asked her. Hermione nodded, trying to stop her chin from quivering. "Oh!" Ron said, looking slightly happier.
"Well, 'mione. Everything's going to be all right. Dumbledore's got everything under control."
Hermione nodded. "Yes," she whispered, "Yes, I supposed your right."
Ron turned to leave. "Are you sure that, that's all? I mean, if there's anything else..."
Hermione shook her head. "Nothing. Just getting worked up over nothing, that's all."
Ron smiled, looking relieved and slightly happier. "Well, then. See ya later." And with that he sprang from the room.
Hermione waited until he was out of earshot, before saying, "Yeah, if only my life were that easy." Hermione stood up and went to the bathroom, trying to get the red puffs, which were her eyes, to look normal. When she finally did so, she remembered the happy look on Ron's face when he had found out nothing was wrong. She walked down the stairs, tip-toeing past Sirius's mum's picture. Maybe, she thought to herself. Just maybe, Ron would believe her.
Well, she had lost her chance now. But what would they do? Ron couldn't stop Harry. She sighed. She had gotten all worked up for nothing. But still, it would have been nice to have someone worrying along with her. Oh, well. You lost your chance. She told herself, miserably. She got to the kitchen, where she was greeted by Fred, George, Ginny, Harry, and Ron. All of who, besides Ron, had worried looks on their faces. Ron looked sad, for some reason. But Hermione would never forget the look on Harry's face.
He looked livid, glaring at her when no one else was looking. His teeth clenched, and his arms crossed, glaring at her with such remorse, that her face turned pale. Hermione stepped back. Her eyes seemed to be locked with Harrys. Those mad eyes told her one thing; she was going to get punished tonight.
Hermione stared at the one angry face and the other concerned faces looking at her. "Err . . . 'mione? You all right?" Fred said uneasily. They all sounded careful and gentle as though she was touched in the head. "I'm fine." she said, casting a suspicious look at Ron; of whom everyone turned to glare at after she answered.
Ginny spoke up. "Err . . . Ron told us, that you were crying." Hermione sighed and cast a venomous look at Ron. "Like I told him, I'm fine. I was just stressed out because of everything that's going on. Really you guys, there's nothing to worry about."
Ron turned red, but looked relieved to hear her talking a tone so much like her own. Fred and George rolled their eyes and headed upstairs. Harry looked somewhat relieved that Hermione had decided to keep this a secret. His face loosened, but as he followed Fred and George, he gave her a look so saddened that she knew he'd be coming tonight.
Ginny smiled weakly at Hermione, before, she too, followed Fred and George upstairs. Ron stayed in the kitchen, slumped low in his seat. "Sorry 'mione." He muttered, "I was just worried, that's all. I mean, you were like making a river." Hermione nodded. "I know Ron. But I'm fine."
She leaned down to where he was slumped and pulled him to his feet. But she didn't let go of him right away. They stood there for a moment in each other's arms, before Ron broke away. He stepped back, then leaned forward again and kissed her lightly on the lips. "See ya." He said, giving her one last smile and left the room.
Hermione stood there for a few moments, unaware of what had just happened. Finally, she made for her room. But little did she know that she and Ron were not the only ones in the room at the time. Harry's green eyes flashed as he walked out from his hiding place, under the sink. "She will pay." He murmured to himself, before following her upstairs.
Hermione threw herself on her bed. She had no idea what to do with herself for the rest of the evening. She had read all her books. They weren't going to Diaggon Alley until tomorrow. Plus, if she didn't do anything to keep herself preoccupied, she'd think of the dreadful night that tonight was going to be.
She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. Surprisingly, she found herself thinking of Ron and their kiss in the kitchen. She liked Ron. She wasn't even going to try and lie to herself. But how could she go out with Ron? There was no solution. Hermione rolled over and then sat up. She glared at the mirror on the wall that seemed to be sniggering, as if it could hear her thoughts. She didn't want to think of Ron. It would be too painful to know she'd never be able to be with him, with Harry around anyway.
Maybe she thought to herself, Maybe You-know-who will kill him this year. But she regretted the thought a moment after she had thought it. She didn't want Harry to die. Dying was too final. She pounded her pillow. Stop thinking about that! She instructed herself. "What am I going to do?" She said out loud. She couldn't keep sitting here thinking about this.
But before she could think of an answer to her question... "I have a very good idea about what you could do." A dark male voice said. He came in her open door and shut it behind him. His green eyes gleamed and his lips stretched into an evil smile. Hermione gasped and scooted back to the edge of her bed. "What are you doing here?" She whispered, her eyes narrowed and her voice menacing. She was trying to intimidate him, but he knew exactly what she was doing, so it proved no good. Harry laughed.
"Do you really need another explanation? Jeez, people these days take the fun out of everything." Hermione turned to him and they made eye contact. Her eyes remained cold and narrowed her face stern.
"Oh, don't give me that Hermione!" Harry laughed. She just glared, hoping her glare would make him evaporate or something. He laughed again. "Oh, all right. I'll tell you a few reasons why I'm here." He stood up and paced around the room.
He locked the door and placed what looked like an Imperturbable charm on it. He turned slowly and looked into her eyes. "I need this, Hermione." He whispered and for the first time, he didn't sound cunning or mean, or in control. He sounded sad.
"So what?" Hermione hissed venomously, "Why me?" Harry's usual sneering voice, so much like Voldemort came back to him. He laughed. "A few reasons." He said slowly and clearly. Hermione waited, but Harry took his time.
He seemed aware that they had some time before dinner, before anyone would disturb them. He swallowed and eyed her up and down. As though sizing her up, seeing how much he should tell her. " One, I needed someone who liked me. Or a player. You suited that. You liked me." Hermione glared at him. "I knew you wouldn't tell. No one would believe you if you did!" He let out a hearty laugh. "And I wanted someone with experience. Someone who had a good body, I like that." Harry smiled, as though recalling the best memory of his life.
Hermione glared at him in disgust. "So," She said, eyeing him angrily. "So, it doesn't matter if you hate them, as long as they have a good body." Harry went on as though he couldn't hear her. "I needed someone in Gryffindor, of course and someone close to me."
"So those are the reasons you picked me?" Hermione asked angrily, "Because of my body and because I was convenient!" Harry shook his head, apparently unaware of Hermione's temper. "I liked you." He said simply. "I thought you might like it, because you like me."
"LIKED!" Hermione raged. "I don't like you anymore!" Harry just shook his head. "Well, fine. It would have made it easier for yourself to enjoy it. Now, give me your wand." Hermione didn't have her wand with her. Harry grabbed it off the shelf.
"You're lucky, Hermione." Harry muttered. "Oh yeah?" Hermione replied quickly, her temper rising. "I could take off my condom if you like." He said, grinning. "No, that's okay." Hermione muttered. Harry moved closer. Hermione tried to back away, but he held her strong. He carefully lifted her shirt off over her head. Hermione barely sustained a whimper.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside her door. Harry heard them too and stopped her bra halfway off her body.
"Uh . . . 'mione? You in there?" Said Ron's muffled voice. "Quick, say your fine!" Harry muttered under his breath, but she noticed his legs shaking. "Err . . . I'm fine Ron." She said, raising her voice just enough for him to hear. "Err . . . Can I come in? 'Cause the doors locked." Ron said, sounding nervous. "Sure, one moment Ron." Hermione said, before Harry could command her to send him away.
She pulled her bra back over her head and pulled her shirt back on. She kicked Harry's clothes under her bed and pointed him into the closet. He glared at her but stomped in. Hermione opened the door and let Ron in. He stepped in looking nervous. "Err . . . Hi 'mione." He said. "Hi, err. What are you doing here?" She asked, suspiciously. Ron's ears turned red almost instantly. "Well . . .