Chapter 3

Act III: Disturbing Revelations.

Harry left a little time for before returning to the Weasley home, he strode confidently across the untidy garden, and softly opened the back door. Mrs Weasley had finished baking and the kitchen was empty. He quietly opened the door to the sitting room, where Hermione was curled up with a book, Ron had evidently retired for the night and there was no sign of Luna either. Hermione looked up and placed the book on the coffee table.

"She's gone upstairs," she said smoothly.

"Oh. You mind if I sit down?" he asked.

Hermione nodded and smiled, and Harry sat next to her on the large squashy sofa.

"So..." she said speculatively. "Did Luna cheer you up?"

Harry exhaled, and looked to Hermione who had a thin smile playing about her lips.

"Yeah, it was nice," he repiled.

Hermione looked at Harry closely, he noticed something flash in her eyes, and she grinned at him.

"How much of a 'nice' time did you have?"

"Nice enough thanks," he said with a sly smile.

"So you did then?"

"Yeah."

Hermione paused to consider this, and smiled softly at the black-haired wizard. Harry propped his feet up on the coffee table, and put his arm around his best friend. She cuddled into his side, and he let out a happy sigh.

"You know you're my best friend, right?" he said softly.

"I'd hope so, Mister," she chuckled.

"You've never judged me, Mione, I pretty much just told you I cheated on my girlfriend, and all you do is smile at me. I thought you might be annoyed with me..." he finished quietly.

"Who do you think suggested to Luna that you needed cheering up?" she asked.

Harry stretched out and squeezed the shoulder of his best friend. He looked down to her warm chocolate eyes, and felt a now-familiar squirming in his stomach. He tensed and panicked for a second, the exhilaration flowing through him, there was a flash of something in her eyes, but no, no, Harry found himself almost imperceptibly moving closer to her, he closed his eyes, kissed her cheek, and wrapped her in a warm hug.

"Thanks, Hermione. Thanks for well... Understanding,"

"S'alright, Harry," she whispered. "We'll deal with the Ginny problem in the morning. Now go and have a shower, I can practically smell Luna on you," she added with a chuckle.

Harry released Hermione and ran his fingers through her hair, she closed her eyes as he did, and he gave her another kiss on the cheek, and squeezed her hand as he stood up and made his way out of the lounge. Harry entered the small bathroom and flicked his wand at the shower, quickly undressed, and stepped into the hot water.

Suitably washed, Harry wrapped a towel around his waist, brushed his teeth, and stepped out onto the landing, and almost collided with Hermione, dressed in just a thin, pale pink nightie, carrying a glass of water. There was a slightly uncomfortable pause, Harry couldn't ever recall seeing Hermione wearing so little, he could quite clearly see her curves through the thin fabric, she seemed to be taking in Harry and his bare chest. It was he who broke the silence, and he smiled at her.

"Well... Goodnight, Mione," he whispered hoarsely.

"Goodnight, Harry," she breathed.

They paused again for a second, and Harry felt himself moving towards her again, but steadied himself and squeezed her hand again.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered as he climbed the narrow staircase to Ron's room. He opened the door softly, and closed it behind him, and frowned at Ron, hanging halfway out of bed, in his too-small pyjamas, mumbling in his sleep. Harry dried himself, and pulled on a clean pair of boxers and sat down on his camp bed, swished his wand in an arc above his head, muttering 'muffliato' as he did. He grabbed his pillow, punched it and bellowed out in frustration, before slumping back onto his bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin.

"Fuck, fuck, and fuck!" he growled, and took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down. He closed his eyes slowly, and massaged his temples, as images of Ginny in his dorm at Hogwarts; Luna in Arthur's shed, and now, Hermione on the sofa, and in that nightie swam around his mind. He took some more deep breaths, and eventually settled, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

oOo

Harry awoke early, with a clawing thirst, and the desperate need to pee. He grabbed his dressing gown from his trunk, and having visited the loo, made his way down to the kitchen, and helped himself to coffee, and slumped at the large, scrubbed table. Mrs Weasley clucked around him, trying to make him eat a plateful of sausages, but Harry opted for just a bowl of porridge, but ended up just pushing it around his bowl. Luna and Hermione both entered the kitchen together, and again, Mrs Weasley fussed over them, when her back was turned, Harry looked up from his bowl and whispered to the girls sat opposite him.

"Is she still up there?" he asked softly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, and nodded. Harry thanked her with a nod and a smile, Luna was staring dreamily into space. Mrs Weasley turned back to the table with overflowing plates of fried breakfast, and Harry made his escape. He padded up the rickety staircase, and stopped just outside Ginny's door. He knocked softly, and entered her small bedroom. Ginny stirred as he entered, and he sat on the edge of her bed. She rubbed her eyes, and sat up slowly, and smiled at Harry. He felt his breath catch in his chest as he looked at her, she was wearing just a lacy, and almost see though top, she coyly blew a kiss at him. Harry had practiced his speech, and the words just seem to tumble out of his mouth.

"Gin, I think we should cool it for a bit, I mean, you've got your O.W.L's coming up soon and well... I think we should just be friends for now," he finished softly.

Ginny looked incredulous. "You're breaking up with me?" she whispered throatily.

Harry summoned some more Gryffindor courage, and continued slowly and carefully. "I don't want to lose you as a friend, Gin, this is just a difficult time for me,"

Ginny seemed to swell with fury. She shot murderous look at him, and spoke in a low and dangerous voice. "Get the fuck out of my room, Harry," she said, as he saw tears start to form in her eyes. "Get out! Get the fuck out!" she screamed.

Harry didn't need telling any more, and he headed upstairs, ignored Ron, who was still snoring, he dressed swiftly and made his way back downstairs, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders and feeling thoroughly shit about himself. He figured he'd better come clean to Mrs Weasley at least, and sought her out as he returned to the kitchen. Mrs Weasley was busy cooking more breakfast, but turned to Harry, and surveyed him kindly.

"More Gryffindor courage" he thought as he looked down at his feet. "Mrs Weasley, me and Ginny just broke up, she's pretty upset, and I'm sorry," he stuttered.

"Oh, you kids," she clucked. "She'll be fine, I'll take her some breakfast, and she'll be fine by lunchtime. Who could stay angry at the Boy-Who-Lived?"

Harry simply nodded, and made a quick exit to the garden, where he found Luna and Hermione sitting on a bench, enjoying the morning sunshine. They budged over, and Harry sat between them, and held his head in his hands.

"Well guys, I did it," he said quietly. "Do you fancy going for a walk to the village?"

"Of course , Harry," said Hermione, and the three made their way from the garden and walked slowly along the snow-covered lane.

A/N: I really hope you've enjoyed this chapter, the next will be coming soon. Remember, reviews = happiness!