Chapter Three
Where am I?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; if I did Ron would have been shown to be the true asshole that he is.
Previous Chapter:
"Harry I know this might be somewhat uncomfortable for you, but please stop worrying, believe it or not I trust you completely, so get comfortable and lets get some sleep" she said in mock bossiness,
Harry silently chuckled at her, part of him was still wary but it was obvious that Hermione wasn't going to let his arm go so it was either get comfortable or have a sleepless night, choosing the obvious he laid his head into the pillow as he felt her snuggle into him a little more, he felt himself grow tired within seconds, he also felt her yawn slightly,
"Goodnight Harry", he smiled warmly to himself,
"Goodnight Hermione" he replied, his final thoughts before he fell asleep would stay with him for a long time,
"I could get used to this"
Ooo~ooO
Harry awoke the next day feeling very at peace and comfortable, it took him several moments to realise he wasn't the occupant of the bed, suddenly he remembered all the events of the previous day as they came flooding back to him, it also took him several moments to realise his right hand was gently cupping a certain part of his female companions body, realising what it was he quickly removed his hand,
"I see your finally awake Harry" came an amused voice, Harry felt himself go very red in the face and was just happy Hermione was facing the opposite direction,
"Hermione, I'm sorry I..." Hermione felt around herself for his hand and brought it back around her waist,
"Harry, I know you didn't do it on purpose and if I'm being honest I actually found it quite comfortable" she over spoke truthfully, Harry felt his blood rush to his lower region but fought valiantly to keep his mind on other things, he gently hugged her,
"How are you feeling?" he asked her, she shuffled around so she was facing him and Harry was very aware of the lack of room between them,
"I'm okay, well better than I felt yesterday anyway, just nervous about today I guess," she answered, Harry couldn't help but feel sorry for her, her all entire future could hang on the events of today,
"Hermione, I know what your hoping to find but you realise there is a chance that nothing's there right?" he said as comforting as possible, he noticed that she just stayed quiet before speaking,
"I know"
Harry grabbed her and pulled her into a full on hug after a minute or so he let her go noticing a small smile back on her face,
"Look I know that today everything might change for you, but no matter what I'll be with you, okay?" he said sincerely, Hermione looked at his before kissing him on the cheek,
"Thank you" she then began to sit up, before sighing,
"I guess I'd better get this day on with then" Harry nodded a little saddened to have to get up, they dressed in silence until something suddenly crossed Harry's and,
"Err Hermione, how are we getting to these places you mentioned, I have a little bit of money but I can't get what my parents left me until my eighteenth birthday in a couple of weeks, Hermione smiled and waved off his concerns,
"Harry don't worry, I have it covered, looks like your going to be seeing some more magic later after all".
Ooo~ooO
Harry ended up making them both a light breakfast since neither would be able to hold anything heavy down, Hermione because her life could change this day and Harry because he was worried for her,
They spent most of breakfast with Hermione covering some of the aspects of apparation since they would be travelling that way and something called a Disillusionment Charm that would keep them invisible to any non-magical people around, , however when it came time to hold Hermione's hand for her to perform the magic he started getting slightly nervous,
"Okay, you ready for this Hermione" he asked seeing the equally nervous look on her face but for different reasons, she shook her head truthfully,
"Hey, it's alright just relax and begin when your ready" he replied soothingly,
He watched her take several deep breathe before finally, grasping his hand firmly,
"Okay I'm ready, are you?" she asked, Harry nodded and was suddenly felt himself shift to another destination instantly.
Ooo~ooO
Harry fell to the floor with a loud thud, Hermione took pity on him remembering he was never any good with any form of magically travel apart from flying and helped him to his feet without even a chuckle,
"Hermione where are we?" he asked, looking around the empty alley they had suddenly appeared in,
"We're just a couple of streets away from the leaky Cauldron" she grabbed his hand and began to take the lead,
"Hermione shouldn't we, you know... become invisible or something?" Harry whispered to her making sure none of the other Londoners could hear him,
"No, we are just going to blend in for now, don't worry Harry" she replied, Harry could feel the grip she had on his hand tighten more and more the closer they got, they suddenly stopped on a path edge, Harry looked around and found no pub but then looked at his companion and saw a look of fear a worry mixed into her face,
"Hermione?" he asked tentatively, she looked at him suddenly calming a little,
"It's just around the corner...but I've just realised this could be the turning point in my life" she replied, Harry rubbed his thumb soothingly over her hand that was still locked onto his,
"Hermione no matter what happens, I'll be with you every step...okay", she nodded at him and lead him around the corner,
"Was it really just yesterday I met this girl" Harry thought to himself, he had met her just over twenty four hours ago but she had already found a way into his heart, he was pulled from his muse however when he heard her start breathing erratically, he looked at her face and sadness and fear was spread upon it,
"Hermione what's wrong?" he asked, she couldn't answer but pointed towards a book store that looked like it had seen better days,
"Was...was that the Leaky Cauldron?" he asked, she nodded and her head fell tears began to fall silently, Harry quickly gathered her up in her arms and steered her away to a less open area, after about five minutes she had calmed down a little and was able to talk again,
"I'm not sure if I want to check the other places now" she confessed, Harry however wanted to do something to bring some hope back to her,
"Hermione didn't you say the entrance to Diagon Alley was behind the pub?" he asked, she nodded in reply,
"Well, we're what, a hundred yards away from an answer, now if you want we can head back to Privet Drive and wait until your ready but if it was me...and this is just me...I'd need to know" he confessed, Hermione sat in silence weighing everything, she looked at Harry with a look he couldn't decipher,
"Harry did you really mean it?" she asked,
Mean what?" he asked confused,
"When you said you'd stay with me no matter what" she asked timidly, Harry couldn't help but notices that there was a touch of hope in her question,
"Hermione, I can't explain why but, in one day, ONE DAY, you've become the most important person in my life, now true I've never really had friends...or at least true friends so it's not a hard list to get on top of but I care about you so much already that it kind of worries me, but yes I will stay with you as long as you need me" he replied honestly, he wasn't prepared for her to kiss him on the cheek and even less so when she began chuckling,
"What's so funny?" he asked her, she wiped the last of the tears away and sat up straight,
"It's just, I don't know what's going on with you but whilst you are the same Harry in many ways you have qualities that My Harry didn't" she replied truthfully,
Harry smiled at this,
"Like what?" he asked curiously,
"Well...for starters the old Harry would have tried to comfort me but probably wouldn't have succeeded quite as well, also you have a more logical mind, I've seen the wheels turning in your head, it's obvious you try and think logically about things...also you more open to physical contact"
"And I didn't used to be?" he replied,
"It took a very long time before you...he...Harry was comfortable enough to initiate so much as a hug" she truthfully replied, she frowned for a second,
"To be honest, at first I thought you had had you memories obliviated and you magic suppressed...but your...your different...not in a bad way...I just...oh I'm not sure what I think anymore" Hermione sighed in frustration,
Harry mind began turning, he wasn't sure if it was possible but it was certainly a theory for now,
"Hermione what were you doing just before I found you?" he asked, Hermione squinted her eyes in concentration trying to recall the events, surprisingly she found her memories were a bit hazy,
"I'm not...I'm not sure, I recall...fighting the death eaters in Hogwarts...but for some reason I can't remember everything" she replied,
Harry left it for the time being, no point in starting up what was bound to be another long conversation when they still had other things to do,
"I want to see," she said out of the blue, Harry's eyes widened at this,
"Are you sure?" he asked her gently, she nodded and stood up,
"It needs to be done, and if...if there is nothing there I need to start planning what to do from here on out" she said, she grabbed his hand again and the two walked back to the bookstore, upon entering they began to slowly pretend to browse the books as to not alert the shopkeeper,
Hermione having been quite familiar of the layout of the shop soon located the backroom that lead to back exit, if she hadn't been embarrassed by it she would admit she would have liked to look around the store properly,
It had been a close call when the entered the backroom as the assistant had been in the back and heard the door shut, he called out and when no one answered started t make his way towards Harry and Hermione, with quick thinking Hermione whispered the invisibility spell on the two of them,
The assistant not seeing anything went back to the main part of the store asking the shopkeeper if someone had come through thankfully this gave both Harry and Hermione time to find the back door to the backyard, she quickly cast a "finite" spell on them as they both came visible again,
"That was close" Harry said letting out a breath he had been holding, Hermione however was staring at the wall a couple of yards away from them, they both slowly approached it,
"Here goes" Hermione said, he watched her whip out her wand and tap five different bricks and waited for something to happen when it didn't he watched her shoulder sag in defeat, Harry gently placed his hand on her shoulder, he wasn't certain what to say right now so he waited for her to speak,
"I can't believe it, I...I mean I feared that this might happen but...I thought I'd find...something" she said misery seeping out of her, Harry felt his heart break yet again for the poor girl, not sure any words could actually help her right now he once again pulled her into an embrace,
He held her as gently but firmly has he could not wanting her to fall into depression, he did hear her mumble into his chest however,
"Where am I Harry?" she sadly asked but not really asking him, Harry unsure of what to say simply replied,
"I don't know", he held her for a few minutes before the back door suddenly flew open,
"HEY, what the hell are you kids doing out here!" the shopkeeper shouted at them,
Both Harry and Hermione broke from there embrace, if she hadn't been so emotional right now she might have been able to come up with an excuse but right now there was only one word coursing through her mind,
"RUN!" she screamed, she took Harry's and lead him around the corner to a dead end where she quickly apparated before the shopkeeper turned the corner, who upon finally getting there, stood opened mouth has he tried to discover where the trespassers had disappeared to.
Ooo~ooO
The next couple of hours were some of the most emotionally painful of Harry's entire life, he could see the look of pure misery and pain in Hermione's eyes but he was powerless to do anything about it,
They had missed dinner and whilst she hadn't exactly been hungry Harry had managed to coax her into eating a light tea,
By six in the evening she began to come around a little, Harry waited until she was coherent enough to ask,
"So what's next?" he asked gently, Hermione sipped the cup of tea Harry had recently made mulling things over,
"I think the next step should be the Burrow" she answered, Harry sat down in front of her looking at her with pure concern,
"Are you certain your ready for that Hermione, today were just places you know, this would be meeting people you know, it will probably hit you harder if they don't know you"
"Don't you think I know that" she snapped, Harry flinched back, surprised by her outburst, she quickly grabbed his arm aware of what she just did,
"Harry I'm sorry...it's just, it's not really about the Wesley's its...its" she chocked trying to hold back more tears, Harry still feeling an bit weary stroked her arm trying to sooth her,
"I'm scared Harry...I don't understand what's going on and...I'm scared my...my parents won't even know me" she confessed and suddenly Harry felt stupid, he had realised he hadn't given much thought to her parents,
"Sweetheart come here" he said gently embracing her again, he cradled her as her head rested on his chest,
Harry hadn't ever known his parents as they had died in a car crash when a drunk driver had run a red light and crashed into his parents car at over eighty miles per hour, apparently his father who had been driving was killed instantly, his mother had been taken to hospital but had died from internal bleeding, Harry had been at his grandparents when it had happened,
He had lived so long without parents it was difficult for him to remember that Hermione had probably been quite close to her parents and to still have them but they not know you would probably kill the girls spirit,
A few minutes later she came around and lifted her head to look at him,
"Sweetheart, Harry?" she asked with a small cheeky grin, Harry blushed but was thankful she was willing to still joke about,
"Well I could call you by another nickname if you want" he said, Hermione shook her head,
"No, it certainly better than Herms anyway" she replied, Harry raised his eyebrow,
"Who the hell came up with that as a nickname, it's terrible" he joked, Hermione laughed, silence fell yet again but this time it was a little more comfortable,
"Hermione I don't want to upset you again but your sure you want to go to the Burrow tomorrow?" he asked, he felt her nod,
"Yes don't worry Harry I'm sure" Harry gulped hoping to not get the same reaction he did earlier,
"What about your parents?" he all but whispered, he felt her snuggle into to him in order to gain some comfort,
"I'm not ready, If things are different with the Burrow then I will be upset...but I'll survive, if my parents don't know me...I don't know...I don't know if I can handle that" she replied truthfully,
Harry nodded in understanding, the better part of the day had gone by and they hadn't really had time to relax,
"Hermione what do you say we just have a couple of hours to relax...we get comfy on the sofa and just watch some television like normal teenagers for a couple of hours, it's nearly half six now, no offence but your emotionally spent and I think some normalcy will help you" he said, Hermione looked up a small smile appearing on her face,
"That's not a bad idea"
Ooo~ooO
Harry felt he could lay on that settee forever, he had a beautiful girl currently snuggled with her backside nested very close to his south region, his arm was draped over her and he could feel her playing with his fingers, they hadn't really watched telly but just enjoyed the physical closeness they were sharing,
Too soon for both there liking it was nearly midnight and they ascended the stairs to the bathroom, Harry handed her a toothbrush while he took his own,
"What will happen if my theory turns out to be true, will she try to get back?" he asked himself, truthfully he didn't want that, he was already dreading the idea of Hermione not been there with him,
Eventually they were about to part ways when Harry stopped her,
"Hermione...and please don't think I'm being crude here, but do you want to sleep with me?" he asked, suddenly realised what he said,
"Well I didn't...you know mean...sleep as in you know sex" he stutters, "I mean..." he felt Hermione hand touch his lips to shut him up,
"I know what you mean, and yes I would like too, I wasn't sure whether to ask or not" she honestly replied, Harry chuckled as did Hermione,
"I won't lie Hermione, I actually slept better last night than I ever have" he said feeling honesty was needed here, Hermione looked at him, something new was in her eyes but he couldn't tell what,
"Yeah me too" they both got into bed and got comfortable when Hermione turned away from him,
"Oh and Harry...if you wake up like you did yesterday, don't move your hand" she said, Harry unable to see the smile on her face,
Harry however was unable to sleep now; his mind suddenly went to some very naughty places causing his manhood to start stiffening,
"Oh great that's the last thing I need right now"
Ooo~ooO
Authors Notes:
Okay first of all this was meant to be the first part of chapter 3 but the meeting the Weasley's has been a bit concerned as I'm not fully sure where I want everything to go with them.
Okay I'll address a few things regarding the story so far,
1. Yes I know I've made Hermione a bit emotional but the girl who has all the answers suddenly doesn't have a clue what's going on.
2. Also I have put a few subtle hints in this chapter hat Hermione is staring to think of Harry "that way", I Truly believe in Canon the only reason they didn't get together was because Harry stupidly stepped aside for red headed retard and Hermione figured Harry didn't like her that way so she settled for Ron, that just my personal opinion anyway.
3. This Harry wasn't brought up abused (either verbally or physically), he wasn't exactly showered with love but his relatives don't hate him...resent maybe but not hate.
4. I will address the whole Harry was with his grandparents in a later chapter, it's not really important but I'm just putting this in here in case you were wondering.
5. Also this is my first time really writing romance so let me know what you think and how I could improve it, I know the relationship seems to be moving fast but please remember THIS IS FANFICTION.
Also I would like to say, whilst I think I moved the relationship along a little in this chapter, I think this has been my weakest one yet, let me know what you think.
I promise NEXT chapter WILL have the Weasley's in it, I will warn Ron and Ginny lovers here and now that you will probably not like what I have in store for them, I was going to bash Molly but couldn't really work it in so that won't be happening.
That been said there are certain aspects of the next chapter that I can't seem to come up with so Chapter Four may not be out for a little while.
Anyway let me know what you think and as always any question you have either leave in a review or PM me.
Also remember to check my profile page for story updates.
See you soon.