DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.
Chapter 4
Harry sat outside of the tent, his back pressed against a tree. His emerald eyes roamed the horizon as the sun set, casting the orange glow that he was used to seeing. After returning from the supermarket Harry noticed that Hermione seemed different; she was much quieter than usual and had been avoiding him. Harry could see the sadness in her eyes; it was almost like the time he'd comforted her when Ron had kissed Lavender after the quidditch match in their sixth year.
Harry rolled up his sleeve and checked his watch. Half past seven. He slowly got to his feet and stretched, then made his way inside the tent. Immediately he heard the crackle of a radio, and saw Hermione sitting on the step that lead up to the kitchen. The radio sat next to her, and she only had a small lamp for light. She glanced at him and then looked away, hardly making eye contact. Harry set himself down on a chair and it creaked as he lent back.
He folded his hands in his lap and watched Hermione. As a song started she slowly started to rock backwards and forwards. Harry saw her eyes glisten with tears, and at that moment he wished he could see what was in her mind, hear what she was thinking. He wanted to help Hermione but he didn't know what to do.
As the song really kicked in Harry suddenly found himself rising to his feet. He walked over to Hermione and it took her a few moments before she looked up at him. She gave him a small smile but her eyes betrayed her. He could see she was very upset and sad.
'She must miss Ron a lot. I didn't realise that she felt this strongly about him,' he thought.
Harry held out his hand to Hermione.
'Why can't I tell you Harry? I'm so confused. If only you didn't love Ginny, I think this might be so much easier. I wish I could ask you. Did I make the right decision? Should I have told you about Ron? I wish you'd just sit down and hug me...' Hermione thought.
'Will you dance?' Harry asked Hermione, this time taking her hand in his.
Her face showed she didn't really want to, but she stood nevertheless. Harry reached around her neck and unclasped the locket that hung down the front of her shirt. He threw it down onto the bed and then took both her hands in his, swaying side to side.
Hermione followed Harry's actions and grudgingly started to dance.
'God Hermione, I love you so much, if you didn't love Ron this would be so much easier.'
After a few more steps Hermione's face broke into a smile. This caused Harry to smile and he picked up the pace of their dance. He lead her all around the large open space at the entrance to the tent.
'You're a lousy dancer, Harry,' she said with a laugh. Harry grinned, and Hermione felt her heart melt.
'I wish you wouldn't do that Harry. You have no idea how much happiness and pain that smile brings me, knowing that you give Ginny that smile too...'
'Well if we danced more maybe I'd get better,' said Harry.
The song got slower as it reached its end. Hermione's head was resting on Harry's shoulder, his resting on hers. Harry heard the music fade and the radio crackle then turn off.
As the radio turned off, the two separated from each other. Hermione's chocolate eyes locking with Harry's emerald. Any trace of Hermione's tears from earlier had been disappeared, as if she hadn't been crying at all.
'Kiss her, just move forward and kiss her,' thought Harry.
'Kiss me, Harry. Please just forget about everyone and everything and kiss me. If you don't do it now-'
Hermione's thoughts were cut off as Harry moved his head closer to Hermione and gently pressed his lips against hers. He heard her gasp for a second then felt her lips move under his own. Harry's hands slipped to her waist and he pulled her closer. He felt Hermione's hands wandering up his back. And then it was over.
They broke apart.
Hermione's cheeks had gone bright red, much the same as Harry's. She gave him a small smile, then mumbled, 'I think I'm going to get ready for bed.'
Hermione stepped passed Harry, looking at the ground. He didn't move until he heard the bathroom door shut. He spun around, his face split with a wide, gleeful grin.
'Hermione kissed me back. She actually kissed me back. That means she likes me, right? Her lips felt amazing and they tasted amazing, I can't imagine what it'd be like if we moved onto the next stage of kissing, I'd be able to taste her properly. Then where would that lead to? Would we go all the way? I suppose it is possible, it's only us, there's no one here to interrupt us...'
Harry realised that his mind was running away with the thought of being alone with Hermione, and had to control himself. He sat at the edge of his bed and waited for Hermione to vacate the bathroom.
He wondered whether she would be angry if he walked in on her. After all he had done it earlier, and this time she was only brushing her teeth and getting changed. Why would it matter if he was in there with her? Harry sighed, and hit himself on the head with his hand.
He was getting really carried away now, just because they had kissed didn't mean she would want him to see her nude again. She hadn't mentioned it since the night it had happened so Harry hadn't brought it up.
'What if she didn't kiss me because she loved me, but because she just wanted someone to comfort her? I don't want to be her toy to play with until she sees Ron again,' he thought.
He looked up as Hermione opened the door and passed him silently before getting into bed. She didn't say anything until Harry stood up so he could go and get ready as well. As he made his way to the door and pushed it open, Hermione's voice drifted over to him.
'Thank you.'
Harry pushed some beans onto his fork with his knife and brought it up to his mouth. Hermione sat opposite him, eating the same meal of eggs and beans. She had been quiet all morning and Harry hadn't said anything to her about the kiss they had shared.
He knew that at some point they would have to talk about it, and the elation Harry had felt just after the event had all gone. He was worried that he had ruined their friendship, by taking it too far, by kissing her Harry was worried that he had confused her.
'She still thought I was with Ginny, but now I've kissed her she probably thinks that I'm looking for a new girlfriend and that I've decided that she would be perfect as a girlfriend. She's right of course, but she loves Ron and Ron loves her so now I've just confused her. Hermione won't know what to do,' thought Harry.
'I thought I wanted Harry to kiss me. I thought that it would make everything easier. But now, I just feel weird. I still like Ron, I didn't think that after kissing Harry I'd feel the same about Ron. If he ever comes back it's going to cause a lot of trouble. He'll expect me to be with him, not Harry,' thought Hermione.
Harry finished his food and looked up at Hermione. She was still eating so he waited for her to finish. They sat in silence for five minutes until Hermione placed her knife and fork together on the plate, and she looked up at Harry.
The moment their eyes found the other's they were both transported back to just before the kiss. They had locked eyes like this just before they had locked lips. Neither of them said anything. Harry sucked in a large breath and started to speak.
'Hermione about last night, I just want you to know-'
'HELLO!' The blaring shout rung in their ears. Harry jumped up with Hermione close behind him. He drew his wand from his pocket and gripped it firmly in his hand. They moved nearer to the entrance, walking as silently as they could.
Harry stopped short and held out a hand to make sure Hermione stayed behind him, safe from the unknown outside the tent.
'Do you think it's Death Eaters?' Hermione whispered to Harry, her face displaying her worry. Harry went to look out of the entrance, but before he did he turned back to Hermione.
'I don't know who or what it is, Hermione. I'm going to have a look.' With that Harry turned back around and slowly pulled the canvas open, the morning sunshine spilled in through the crack.
'Harry! Don't go out there!' Hermione said as loudly as she could, but Harry had already poked his head out of the tent. 'I don't want you to get hurt,' she said under her breath. Hermione's eyes widened when she saw that Harry was moving even further out of the tent, the cool breeze wrapping itself around her ankles.
Very suddenly Harry pulled himself back into the tent. Hermione saw that his face was deathly white. 'What is it, Harry?'
He gulped.
'Hermione, it's Ron.'
'What?' Hermione covered her mouth, rushed forward, and peered out of the tent. Sure enough there was Ron. Standing still, his head swivelling around, obviously trying to decide where to go.
Hermione turned her head to Harry.
'What should we do, Harry?' Hermione asked.
'I don't know, Hermione, we've got two options. We go out there and get him or we just let him walk off, he doesn't know we're here. But Hermione, remember what he was like before he left? He was awful, I don't think it's such a good idea to go and get him.'
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. 'Harry, Ron is our friend. We can't just let him wander around the woods, waiting to be ambushed by Death Eaters!'
'Fuck. He's going to be coming back. Hermione is too nice to let him go. Why can't we both be selfish, just this once.'
'Hermione,' pleaded Harry.
'No, Harry I'm going to go out there and get him. And if it's any consolation to you, I might just kill him for walking out on us.'
With that Hermione pushed through the canvas and Harry could only watch as she marched towards Ron. Harry knew that all Ron would see is Hermione appearing out of nowhere, her face contorted in anger. As Harry began to follow her he thought, 'Well, now we're not going to be talking about the kiss...'
Harry exited the tent just in time to see Hermione grabbing Ron by the scruff of the neck and pulling him into the confines of the enchantments they used to protect them.
As Ron stumbled after Hermione, Harry saw something shiny fall to the floor behind him.
'YOU COMPLETE ARSE, RONALD WEASLEY!' Hermione's yell was loud enough to send birds flying as she pulled Ron's bag from his back and began to pummel him with it.
'OI! Hermione, what are you doing?' Ron cried out as she continued to hit him with the bag.
Harry didn't try to stop her. He didn't know if Hermione had been greatly hurt by Ron's decision to leave, but if hitting him made her feel better, then that was okay with him.
As Hermione continued to beat Ron, Harry circled around them and examined the shiny item that had fallen on the floor.
'How did you find us anyway?' Hermione cried.
'Well if you'd stop freaking out I'd tell you,' said Ron.
'Yeah, and that's not the only thing you're going to have to explain.'
Ron and Hermione turned around at Harry's voice and saw him holding the sword of Gryffindor.
'Look, let's go inside and I'll explain everything, okay?' Ron addressed Hermione more than Harry, and she replied,
'No, it's not okay.' Hermione's voice was so cold, that Harry saw Ron practically shiver.
Hermione turned on her heel and stormed back into the tent. Ron looked at Harry, 'Has she been like this all the time?'
'No, just since you got back. Let's go inside,' said Harry.
They followed Hermione inside and found her sitting at the table. The two boys walked over to Hermione, and it allowed her a small time to look at them both.
'I can't believe that Ron's back. A few minutes ago Harry was going to talk to me about our kiss. But now, he probably won't. He'll just let it sit on his mind, and that's all he'll think about. Ron hasn't changed a bit, maybe he's slightly thinner than before, but apart from that there's no difference. I wonder if he even knows that I was captured...'
'You stopped being angry with me now,' said Ron as he and Harry sat down at the table, Harry next to Hermione, Ron opposite her.
'No, not really,' Hermione said bluntly. There was an awkward silence before Harry spoke.
'So Ron, how did you find us and how did you get this sword?'
Ron leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.
'Well, when I left I was pretty angry with you two, I mean I had a right to be, didn't I?'
'No you did not!' said Hermione, 'You had no-' She stopped when Harry placed a hand on her arm, silently telling her to let Ron speak and then shout at him afterwards.
'Anyway,' continued Ron, looking slightly disgruntled, 'I went around and stayed in some muggle pubs, I got the money from Dad before we all left,' he added. 'After a while I started to think that I probably should get back to you guys, I figured you'd had enough time to realise why I'd left,' Harry could feel Hermione shaking with fury at Ron's words. 'So I started trying to find you, and the Deluminator went all funny, and this little light came out of it and went into me. It made me feel all warm and happy. When I apparated it would take me to these weird places, like deserted woods and stuff, but I could never find you. Then today, I called out and then you appeared.'
Ron finished with a smile. Harry glanced at Hermione, who was still glaring at Ron, her hands balled into fists in her lap.
'Er, Ron, can I just ask, what exactly did Hermione and I do wrong?' Harry asked. He hoped that Ron's answer wouldn't infuriate Hermione even further, he feared that if she became even more furious she would punch Ron straight in the face.
'Well you obviously had a thing for each other, and Harry you knew that I was with Hermione,' answered Ron, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
'Ron, I didn't love Harry,' said Hermione, her voice flat.
'You didn't? Oh. Well then, you guys should stop acting as if you are then.' Ron answered.
Harry felt his heart sink. Hermione didn't love him.
'Fuck. Fuck. She doesn't love me.' Harry slowly looked down, and then back up when Hermione asked Ron another question, trying to keep her voice level.
'How did you get the sword?'
'Oh that, I found it. I had apparated to where the Deluminator had lead me, and I got thirsty. There was this small iced over lake, so I cracked the ice and got out a bottle. I collected some of it and cast a purifying charm on it. As I finished it and went to get some more, I saw the sword at the bottom of the lake. So I stripped off and dived in to get it. That's it.'
Ron let his hands fall onto the table. Harry looked at Hermione, 'Do you think this is the real sword?'
Hermione pursed her lips and considered. 'Maybe, but there's only one way to find out, we'll have to try and destroy the locket,' she said, holding up the Horcrux.
'Okay then, lets try and kill it,' said Harry.
Together, with Harry shouldering the sword, the trio walked calmly out of the tent. The wind had died down, and the area they were camping in was deathly quiet.
'Where should we put the Horcrux?' Hermione asked. Harry looked around, trying to find a suitable place to destroy the Horcrux and settled on a tree stump a few metres away from the entrance of the tent. Harry and Hermione walked over to the stump, where they carefully positioned the Horcrux on the dead wood.
'Quite apt, don't you think? Hermione said.
'Yeah, a good place to kill a Horcrux,' replied Harry.
Ron had hung back, scowling slightly as he watched Harry and Hermione getting increasingly closer. He quickly wiped the scowl from his face as they turned and walked back to him.
'Who's going to kill it then?' Ron asked. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, then at Ron.
'You should do it, Ron,' said Harry. Ron nearly fell over.
'What? Me? I don't know, Harry,' said Ron.
Hermione was frowning, looking at Harry. 'Harry, I don't know either. Maybe you should do it.'
Harry shook his head, determined to make Ron do it. 'No, Ron you should do it. I've already destroyed one, and you found the sword, so you should use it to destroy the Horcrux.'
Ron licked his lips, his mouth had gone dry.
'Okay,' he said, 'Do you think it will need to be opened?'
'No, if it's going to open, it'll do it itself.'
He grasped the sword and held it up with both hands. Harry and Hermione stepped back to let Ron have some space.
'Do you think anything will happen?' Hermione whispered to Harry.
'I'm not sure, Hermione. Wands ready?' He suggested. Hermione nodded and pulled her wand out at the same time as Harry.
At this precise moment there was an almighty explosion. All three of them were blown backwards, landing on their backs. They looked on in horror as an inky substance filled the air, and then transformed into two manifestations of Harry and Hermione.
'Ron,' said the Horcrux Hermione. 'I've never loved you. It's always been Harry.'
Horcrux Harry spoke now, 'We're together Ron. We hate you, we were glad you left. It is was better without you, we could do things together, things Hermione would never do with you.'
The manifestations grinned at Ron, totally ignoring the real Harry and Hermione still laying on the floor.
'No!' Ron roared. He pushed himself up as Horcrux Hermione began to kneel down in front of Horcrux Harry. She turned to look at Ron.
'I'll never do this to you,' Horcrux Hermione said.
'Ron, don't listen to them!' Hermione screamed.
Ron had gotten to his feet, and was now rushing forward towards the Harry and Hermione that were about to start fornicating. He raised the sword high, and with a powerful swing, brought the sword down on the Horcrux.
The manifestations of Harry and Hermione disappeared, and all that was left of the Horcrux was a burnt shell.
Harry and Hermione gingerly got to their feet and hurried over to Ron, who had fallen to his knees. Harry stopped short of Ron, but Hermione ran right up to him and fell to the ground. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. Harry thought he heard her saying, 'It's not true, Ron.'
Harry watched and felt something horrible forming in his stomach and chest. He felt jealousy. He wanted to be the one that Hermione was hugging. He wanted to be the one that she whispered to. But now Ron was back and everything that Harry had feared would happen was happening.
'She won't give me a second thought now. She'll just be like before when Ron was splinched, always making sure he was okay, and making sure I didn't do anything to upset poor little Ron,' thought Harry.
He turned away from his two friends, still cradling each other, and marched back into the tent, making a mental note to move his bed away from Hermione's.
A/N: Thanks to my beta Nightserenade, :D. Okay, reading your reviews it seems that you're happy with the story, now i've got further into it, I am also much happier with it. Thanks for reading, and please leave a review. Poll on my profile, go and vote! It only takes a minute =D
