Unconscious Confessions

Confusing Thoughts

~Three Weeks Later~

As he and Ginny sat across from Hermione and Ron at the dimly lit restaurant, Harry gave a speculative glance to his two best mates. So far everything had been going great between them that night. They were being very cordial with one another, and Ron had even remembered to pull out Hermione's seat when they had arrived. All in all it was the best he'd seen them act together in months.

Ron reached out and picked Hermione's hand up off the table, turned it over and placed a butterfly kiss on her wrist. Harry frowned, as Hermione blushed in response and gave the red-haired man a small smile; they didn't need to act that close.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked from her spot next to him, placing her hand lightly atop his own.

He looked at her, "Yeah, sure."

'Liar,' her voice whispered back in his head.

Harry almost groaned aloud. He really needed to learn how to control this thing. Mulderon, the senior Auror who had been teaching him, said that the additional powers that he had gained from Voldemort, along with his own substantial ones made Harry very susceptible to the energy and thoughts of others. He had gotten so advanced at the skill in such a short amount of time, that now it tended to happen without him even trying anymore. In fact over the last two weeks they had had to change the course of his training from acquiring the skill to controlling it.

Closing his eyes, Harry took a deep breath and then focused for a second before looking back at his girlfriend. She was staring at him with a worried expression, but he couldn't hear any thoughts- thank Merlin. In truth Harry's ability to hear thoughts had been a shocker to his instructor too. When he had told the older man about it, Mulderon had given Harry a disbelieving look. However, when he had responded by repeating his thoughts to him, word for word, all Mulderon could do was concede that Harry was in fact telling the truth.

The senior Auror then excitedly explained that he was one of a very select few in the wizarding community that were able to read thoughts along with emotions and memories. It seemed that, like Harry's unique Parseltongue abilities, this was a rare commodity that he wasn't sure he would ever have a chance to come across in his lifetime. Mulderon then went on to animatedly explain how it worked, go over the different methods they could use to help him control it, as well as how they could effectively use it on the task force. For his part though, Harry was just happy he had to make eye contact to do it. After all, hearing the thoughts of others was all fine and well, but he didn't fancy being bombarded by them at all times.

"I'm fine sweetie, really," Harry insisted as he looked back at Ginny.

She still didn't look as though she believed him, but to his relief she let the subject drop.

"I am supposed to start in the Magical Maylays ward tomorrow," she commented looking across the table at Ron and Hermione. "I can't wait; this is what I spent all of that time in France training for."

"Good luck sis," Ron responded with a grin.

"Have a great time, and make sure to learn as much as you can," Hermione added smiling, "you can never have too much knowledge, that's what I say."

Harry and Ginny grinned at the typical Hermione statement, but Ron released a loud snort.

"What?" the brunette asked looking at her boyfriend, her eyes flashing.

"Nothing," Ron commented taking a sip of his drink.

"I'm sure it was nothing Hermione," Ginny stated trying to defuse the situation.

"If it was nothing let him tell me that," the other witch responded still looking at her boyfriend. "To my face."

Ron huffed then looked Hermione in the eyes. "Nothing," he repeated in a bland tone, before looking forward once again.

When Harry made brief eye contact with his best mate one thought rang out, 'I wonder what she's doing?'

'She? Who the hell was she?'

"Ron," Harry called out to the other man. When the redhead looked at him Harry immediately began to concentrate.

In no time at all a mental image formed of... Luna Lovegood? What? The pretty blond girl looked up and Ron with a large smile before handing him a huge package wrapped in a brightly colored cloth that looks suspiciously like an old sweater. Harry saw Ron's hands as he accepted the package; quickly opening it he pulled out a Quidditch jersey that looked to be signed by several of the members of the Chudley Cannons. He exclaimed in surprise and grabbed the small woman in an impromptu hug; she was blushing prettily when he pulled back.

"What? Harry what are you doing?!" Ron yelled across the table, Harry snapped back to the present and gave his mate a startled look.

"Oh, hush Ronald for goodness sake," Hermione hissed. "This is a restaurant not a Quidditch match."

Ron gave her an annoyed look, "Of course it's my fault. He's the one staring like he's a bloody zombie, why don't you say something to him?"

Hermione returned his look with an irritated one of her own. "Because whatever he may or may not be doing he's doing it quietly; unlike someone I know who seems to have the decorum of an impatient toddler.

Ron glowered, "You know I'm getting pretty sick of you always calling me immature."

"Yeah, well I'm getting pretty sick of you always acting immature. I mean honestly Ronald, why does it seem you can't get through one meal without having a tantrum about something?"

Ron glared at his girlfriend before pushing back in his seat and abruptly standing. As he grabbed his coat off the back of the chair he mumbled several somewhat inaudible curse words along with something that sounded suspiciously close to "bushy haired beast" which had Hermione reaching for her wand. Before turning and walking brusquely towards the disapparation section of the restaurant.

"Ron!" Harry called out, as he hopped up and chased after his mate.

The other man threw a disgruntled look over his shoulder but didn't stop.

"Come on Ron, talk to me for a sec!"

Ron abruptly spun around and faced Harry as he reached the disapparation section giving him a seething look. "You know what, I don't want to talk to you anymore than I want to talk to her," he stated badly.

"Why, what did I do?" Harry asked, giving his mate a confounded look.

"What you always do Harry," Ron spat, "nothing."

With that and a loud 'pop' the other man was gone, leaving him standing alone in the disapparation section amid a rash of curious looks from the other customers. Giving a sigh and a weak smile to a five year old girl who was staring at him with an awestruck expression, the dark haired man turned and made his way back to the table.

"So what did he say?" Ginny asked anxiously.

"Nothing," Harry answered; she gave him a disbelieving look. "No really, he didn't say anything besides that he really didn't want to talk to me."

Ginny sighed, "Well, perhaps you should go and talk to him Hermione."

The other woman looked at her, "Perhaps I shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Look Ginny, I can't deal with your brother right now. I'm tired of him always over reacting to everything, I mean honestly. All of this just because I asked him to keep his voice down," the other witch replied with a miffed expression.

"Well you were quite rude about it," Ginny retorted.

"I was not being rude, I was being truthful. Something your brother should try one day," Hermione responded glowing at the younger woman.

"What do you mean?" Harry questioned, her gaze snapped to his.

'Luna,' her mind murmured.

"Nothing, forget it," she said aloud standing to gather her things. "Look, do you guys think I can crash at your flat tonight? I don't feel like going home to more arguing."

"Sure." "I don't think that's a good idea." Harry and Ginny replied in unison.

He gave his girlfriend a surprised look, "What?"

The redhead regarded both of them with a frown, "I just think that it's better if you talk to Ron tonight as opposed to waiting. I really think you should just go home, that way he'll see that you're making an effort to work things out, that's all."

"Well I don't want to go home and 'make an effort to work things out' or anything else," Hermione responded briskly. "I just want to go somewhere stress free and lie down."

"So you're just going to go to sleep instead of trying to work things out wi-"

"No, I'm just going to go to sleep and hope that this headache goes away. Just leave it Ginny, if you don't want me at your flat that fine, I'll go to a hotel," the brunette replied in an annoyed tone, standing and grabbing her coat.

"Wait, Hermione," Harry interjected, "don't be silly of course you can crash at our place. It's no problem-" he threw a quick reproachful look at Ginny when she opened her mouth to comment. "You can have the guestroom."

"I still think-"

"Drop it Ginny," Harry said cutting her off, "Hermione's a grown woman and she can make her own choices. If she doesn't want to talk to Ron tonight then she doesn't have to. Besides he's the one who stormed out of here without even a by-your-leave."

The redheaded woman glared at him, "Regardless of him leaving, as his girlfriend she should at least try to work things out instead of hiding out at our place."

"It's her relationship so let her make her own bloody decision," Harry retorted angrily, "why don't you stop concerning yourself with Hermione and Ron's relationship and worry about your own!"

Both women looked at him in shock looks for a moment, before Ginny's eyes narrowed to slits.

"Perhaps you should be the one worrying about our relationship Harry," she stated softly before turning and storming towards the exit.

Harry sighed "Bugger."


~Three Hours Later~

Harry turned over for the eighth time that night, trying once more to find a comfortable position. Giving a groan as he landed on a particularly uncomfortable bump, he adjusted for his ninth time.

"Bloody hell!" He exclaimed in a harsh whisper as he rolled off the couch and landed with a jarring 'thud' on the floor.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked softly from just behind him.

Turning all Harry saw was a blurry figure standing in the doorway, however from the voice he knew that it was Hermione.

"Yeah, fine," he mumbled, slowly standing and rubbing his aching bum.

Hermione emitted a small sigh and slowly made her way over to him, grabbing his glasses off the table she handed them to him.

"Thanks," Harry muttered slipping on his wayward spectacles. As soon as he did, the worried gaze of his brown-haired best mate came into focus.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, sitting heavily on the couch, "I didn't mean to…"

He gave her a lop-sided smile and joined her, "Don't worry it's not your fault, besides this isn't the first time Ginny's banished me to the couch. In fact she's done it several times, and I swear this thing seems to get smaller every time," he added with a chuckle and a wink.

"I'm sure you two will work it out," the brunette stated leaning back on the sofa and gazing thoughtfully out of the window.

"Me too," he responded quietly before sitting back next to her and giving her a speculative look. "I thought you were going to go to sleep."

"I tried, I couldn't, I gave up," she stated blandly, while fiddling with the cuff of the large pajama top that he had lent her.

Harry exhaled loudly and took one of her hands looping it under his arm he stopped her agitated movements. As he held her hand against his stomach, she sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You know you can talk to me about anything Hermione, so what's wrong?"

Hearing her heave another sigh, he lightly caressed her hand and waited patiently for her to answer.

"It's over Harry," she stated softly, several minutes later.

His brows furrowed, "What's over?"

"We are- Ron and I…" she muttered, turning her head and burying her face against the sleeve of his t-shirt.

Harry frowned, "Why do you think that?"

"I don't think it Harry, I know it." She declared firmly, turning her head forward once more. "I'm also sure I'm not the only one who knows it."

"You mean Ron?" he inquired; when she nodded he gave her hand a light squeeze. "Come on Hermione, don't get down. You guys have rows all the time, that doesn't mean it's over. In fact I'm sure that you'll work it out."

"But that's just it Harry," she whispered brokenly, "I don't want to." Then to his extreme discomfort the brunette broke down into heavy sobs. "Oh Harry!" she cried, he let go of her hand and quickly pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Don't worry," he murmured gently.

He continued to whisper comforting words to her and rub her back as she softly sobbed against him. After about ten or so minutes her cries were reduced to small sniffles and the occasional hiccup as she finally got a reign on her emotions.

"I'm sorry," she voiced with a hiccup.

"That's okay," he returned with a smile. "I needed to wash this shirt anyway."

She gave a small chuckle and pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Thanks Harry."

'I don't know what I'd do without you,' her mind finished.

He grinned down at her "No problem, especially if it helped." Her small smile faltered as she looked away "Hermione?"

"Yes," she responded softly, laying her head on his chest.

"Did it help?" He pressed.

"Of course," she murmured after a moment.

"Really?"

Hermione looked up at him "Yes really."

'Just having you hold me helps,' her mind whispered lightly.

He gave her a half smile and reached his hand out, lightly brushing a few stray strands from her face.

"Good," he whispered.

'Oh Harry,' she thought 'I just wish… I just wish you would…'

Hermione sighed and looked away, "I should head back to the room and try to get some sleep. Something tells me tomorrow is going to be particularly draining," she commented, pulling out of Harry's loose embrace and standing.

'What?! Not again!' his mind screamed 'She can't just leave it like that, she wishes I would what?!'

"Uh, okay…" he replied aloud.

"Goodnight Harry."

"Good night Hermione –uh Hermione?"

When she turned and gave him a questioning look, Harry stood from the couch and made his way over to the doorway where she had halted.

"Is there anything I could do? You know, to make you feel better?"

She looked away, "No."

He loosely clasped her shoulders and she looked at him once more, "Are you sure?" He inquired, giving her a probing look. "Are you sure there isn't anything I could do to help? To make you feel better about this whole thing."

She gave a watery smile, "I'm sure," she replied aloud.

'Kiss me,' her mind sighed.

Harry's eyes widened in shock.

"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione quizzed giving him a concerned look.

"Er –yeah –totally, I mean brilliant, I mean not brilliant but I'm fine," he stuttered; she frowned.

"Harry-"

"Really Hermione I'm fine, just go get some rest… if you need any help with moving or something just let me know."

She gave a small smile, "I'll do that."

He leaned forward and gave her a light peck on the top of the head. "Just to let you know, I also do moral support," he finished with a grin.

Hermione chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight Harry."

"Goodnight, Luv."

Her surprised gaze flew to his 'Luv?'

Harry blushed and quickly turned towards the couch. As he made his way back to the nightmare causing death trap he heard more movement behind him. When Harry looked he saw Hermione pointing her wand.

He held up his hands in mock surrender, "It was just a slip of tongue, don't kill me."

Hermione rolled her eyes heavenward, "Sofailious Reparious Comforarble," she whispered softly and a bright orange light flew from her wand.

Harry watched in wonder as the sofa not only changed from old and worn to looking practically brand new, but also expanded a few inches and fluffed up quite a bit. He gave his mate an impressed look.

"You know you never cease to amaze me," he commented approaching her and giving her a light hug, before pulling back and looking at her. "Thanks, now I'm actually looking forward to going back to bed."

'Anything for you.'

"No problem," Hermione responded before giving Harry one last small smile and turning to walk towards the guestroom.

Still mulling over the last thought he had picked up, Harry walked to the doorway and watched his mate make her way back to her sleeping quarters.

'Blimey she has an awesome bum,' he thought, staring at the sway of her shapely hips before blinking and abruptly turning away.

When the hell did he start noticing Hermione's bum!

'More importantly when the hell did she start thinking about snogging you?' His mind interjected.

"Oh shut up," Harry grumbled to himself as he made his way back to the plush new sofa.

Harry took a seat and sunk comfortably into the soft cushions. As he lay down and readjusted, he gave a grin when he realized that there was no annoying spring poking his back anymore.

'Smashing! –Thank you Hermione,' he thought happily. He was going to sleep like a baby.

Harry closed his eyes and pulled his covers over him, rolling onto his side he promptly fell asleep.


A.N. That's it for this chappy!! Please Review and let me know what you think! As you can tell by my occasional lapses in updates I don't have much time these days, but I do make time to read reviews even if I can't always respond. ^.^