A/N- Hey everyone! Here's Chapter 7, finally. It took me a while but anyway, here it is. Please, R&R. December's Girl
Chapter 7 I have always loved you
About a week after Harry breakup with both Ginny and Hermione, he received news even more heartbreaking. He was sitting in the common room, alone except for one second year girl huddled in a corner with a toad. Harry recognized at once that she was attempting to turn the toad into a water goblet, something Harry remembered only too well from his second year at Hogwarts. Shortly after scanning the room Harry was joined by the love of his life, Hermione Jane Granger.
Surprised, Harry looked up. Hermione and Ron had just left to take their apparition tests. Why was she here, with him?
"Harry, I have to talk to you" Hermione said, her face blank, forced expressionless. "RonaskedmeoutyesterdayandIsaidyes"
"What?" Harry asked. He had not interpreted a word of what Hermione said but had a sinking feeling that he was not going to like it.
Hermione sighed and began again "Yesterday, Ron asked me out. And I said yes."
Harry said nothing but aimed his gaze down at his trainers.
"Ummm… well, I have to go take my apparition test, but I'll see you at dinner" Hermione said ignoring the fact that Harry had added nothing to the conversation and walked out of the common room.
Now alone, minus the second year, Harry sat, starring out of the rain struck window. Why is Hermione torturing both of us by going out with Ron? Does she not know that I love her? Yes, I am in love with Hermione. Well, possibly, hopefully, their relationship will be not unlike their friendship. Hopefully they will be together one day and broke up the next. Well, I can hope.
After a few hours of thinking and wrestling with the fact that Hermione and Ron were going out, Harry finally decided that it was truly happening, no matter how painful for him. Coming to this conclusion, he realized that he probably should go to the Great Hall for dinner.
Ron and Hermione were already seated when Harry entered the Great Hall. He was immediately greeted by Hermione's gushing excitement that she had passed her apparation test. "And Ron?" Harry asked with forced intrest nodding toward Ron who was already digging into his food, not looking up at the mention of his name.
"He, well, he failed. He left behind half of an eyebrow." Hermione explained, avoiding Harry's eye.
"A half of an eyebrow. I could re grow a half an eyebrow" Ron complained, looking up from his now empty plate. "Bye, Harry. I'll catch you later. Bye Herms." As he got up from the table he leaned over to Hermione and planted a wet kiss on her cheek.
What? Did Ron just kiss her? No way! He has no right to kiss her! And what is up with the retarded pet name 'Herms'? Harry's blood boiled at the sight. But as he looked at Hermione he could have sworn that she wiped the kiss off with her sleeve.
Harry spent the next few days away from his friends as much as possible. He avoided halls usually walked by most Gryffindors and took extra time to use hidden passages to get to classes and meals. On the off occasion when he had no choice but to be with them, such as during meals, he hoped Ron would not snog Hermione again. Unfortunately one evening that is exactly what happened.
This time However, Hermione giggled and blushed much unlike her usual character. Unable to bear the scene, Harry abruptly got up quickly from the table and walked as fast as he could to them Gryffindor team broom closet and snatched his firebolt. A fly on his broom usually made him feel better.
As he closed the broom closet door, Hermione came running down the hall toward him. "Harry, Harry!" she called.
Harry pretended to ignore her and continued to walk purposefully down the hall.
"Harry! Harry!!! Bloody Hell Harry wait!" Hermione shouted causing most of the passing younger years to look up and watch her pass.
Harry decided that it was no use to try and ignore her. He, knowing Hermione thought she would continue to protest for hours if he did not respond. So he stopped walking, and wheeled around. He drew a sharp intake of nervous breath. Hermione has traveled so far so fast, that the two were nose to nose. He fought back the burning temptation to kiss her rosy, warm lips. Hermione, too, suppressed the erg. Breathing in, Harry stepped back, keeping a hormonally safe distance between them. "What?" he asked.
"Huh?" Hermione said, apparently lost at if and why she had come after him.
"Well, you were just screaming and chasing after me. Did you by any chance want my attention?" Harry asked coolly, noticing, Hermione's attraction to him.
"Oh, yeah." Hermione began. "I just want to know what was wrong with you. You've been acting odd all week…"
"Gee, Hermione, I wonder why?" Harry's escalated voice boomed sarcastically.
"Oh, Harry" Hermione choked, looking deeply hurt.
"I should be the one asking what the bloody hell is wrong with you not the other way around" Harry said angrily. But all Harry got in response was quiet sobs from behind her hands. Oh god. Don't cry. Don't make the situation worse. Hermione! Thinking frantically, Harry reached behind him. His hand meet the door of the broom closet Thank god! He turned the knob and reached his other hand out to Hermione, and pulled her inside.
She immediately sat herself down on a box of spare quaffles. Harry conjured himself a stool and sat down. The closet was smaller than he remembered; Hermione's knees were somewhat linked through his. Harry lifted his wand "lumos" he said, giving light to the tiny closet.
"Hermione, calm down. Please" Harry began. Tell her the truth, just do it! Tell her you are in love with her!
"Harry, I'm so confused. I don't know what to do" Hermione said forcing herself to look Harry in his beautiful, blazing green eyes.
Harry felt her eyes bore into him. A rousing monster exploded in his stomach. Suddenly, without even thinking, he slid his hand at the back of her neck, and pulled her into him and roughly kissed her lips. She responded simply by passionately kissing him back, scouting herself so close to Harry that their bodies were less than a centimeter apart.
When they finally forced them selves to break apart, Harry firmly grabbed her shoulders and looked directly into her hazel eyes. "Hermione, I love you"
Hermione shed a few tears through a smile but said nothing.
"Hermione?" Harry hesitated. What if she really doesn't love me?
Hermione smiled, wiping the tears from her face "Harry, I have always loved you."
