Chapter Seven – Of Sweet Gestures and a Sweet Nickname
A/N: Like you guys I find the Rolaysha (does that sound okay?) chapter sweet. That's why there's a continuation…. But don't worry, this chapter's more about Harry and Hermione… But I assure you, there are more Rolaysha chapters on the way… Happy reading! Don't forget to leave a review!
Harry walked inside his empty dorm.
Huh? Where's Ron?
He took off his formal clothes and got into much more comfortable ones. He was just finished getting dress when the door swung open and Ron went in.
"Hey mate! Where've you been?" Harry asked, as he got on his bed.
"Just visited a friend," Ron muttered.
"Oh… Who?" Harry prodded.
Ron muttered something that Harry didn't catch. "Come again mate?"
"I said I talked to Alaysha!" Ron said in a much louder voice.
"Alaysha? As in Alaysha Rhodes, Hermione's American friend?"
"Yeah… Is there a problem?"
"No, none at all. Just curious, mate. You haven't had a decent conversation with her since we met her."
"That's why I talked to her… I want to be friends with her," Ron said, avoiding Harry's eyes.
"Oh. That's good," Harry said. He noticed how red Ron's cheeks were when they started talking about Alaysha. "I mean Alaysha's one of those good American girls. And she's pretty too."
"Yeah…" Ron trailed off as he climbed on his bed.
"Okay.. G'night mate," Harry said.
"Yeah."
Minutes later, he could hear that Harry had stopped shuffling on his bed. He's probably asleep.
Arrgghh! Why can't sleep? Ron thought.
He let his mind wander to the events earlier.
They were just talking. Just talking.
Then when Alaysha said the thing about chemistry, he just had this urge to kiss—no, snog her senseless.
Stop it! You've been friends with her for what—like half an hour then you think you bloody fancy her!
He tossed and turned on his bed for what seemed like hours, before sleep finally overcame him. And the last thing on his mind was the sound of Alaysha's laugh.
The next day, both Harry and Hermione were doing their homework in the library when Alaysha suddenly appeared in front of them.
"You guys saw the Tattletale Princess website?" she asked.
"Uh… No," Hermione said. This was it. The princess had posted. She wondered if what she posted would ruin her life.
Hermione grabbed her laptop and quickly typed the web address. The page loaded and this was the first thing that popped:
Post #0751: Looks like our British cutie have been taken ladies! I would've alerted you earlier, but I figured to give you a good Sunday surprise. And you will be surprise with the gossip I just gathered. Harry Potter is taken. I repeat, Harry Potter, British cutie and the new quarterback for the football team is taken. Sources informed me that Harry Potter is seen with a brunette in a classy Italian Restaurant, dining with his brother and his brother's fiancée. They also informed me that Luke Potter, Harry's older brother himself confirmed the relationship. The duo was later seen strolling down the streets of Manhattan, looking awfully cozy. Now for the moment you've all been waiting for—the mystery girl. Are you sitting down, 'cause this'll blow you away. Harry Potter's girlfriend is…his so called best friend, Hermione Granger. Now, I know you might not be familiar with her, so I did a little digging for you guys. To make it all simple: she's British too and a bookish nerd. Need I say more?
Who ever thought Harry Potter was interested in nerds?
Not me.
'Til the next gossip,
The Tattletale Princess
Below the said post were about 10 images of Harry and Hermione, while they were saying their good byes with Luke and Cassie, while they were walking home, and while they were hugging. Below the images were comments made by the girls from the university. Hermione gasped in shock when she started reading the comments. Meanwhile, Harry's blood started boiling as he read through the comments.
Leslie Forbersher says: This is so not happening! How can Harry not notice me and then notice THAT! :TT
Melanie Anderson says: What does he see in her? She's not even close to pretty.
Liza Smythe says: I bet Harry just took her to a pity party, and hugged her to make her feel better with herself:TTT
Blair Jones: One word for you Hermione Granger. Oh wait, make that two words. Pathetic. Ugly.
Serena Morrison: Lay off Hermione guys. Harry's just making her feel better, since no guy in the right mind would actually date HERMIONE GRANGER! X))
… see 232 more comments.
After that last comment, Hermione's eyes were shining with tears…
"Hermione.. I'm really sorry…" Alaysha said, her voice full of sympathy for her friend.
So this was what the whole school thinks of her.
A bookish British nerd who was just lucky to have Harry Potter interested in her.
Suddenly she was mad at Harry for making her go through this mess But most of all, she was mad at herself for being stupid. She stood up, about to leave when Harry stood up too and pulled her into a tight embrace. This gesture made Hermione break down. She buried her face on Harry's sweater. "I'm so sorry Hermione," he murmured softly while stroking her hair. "You don't deserve to be treated like this…"he continued. This made Hermione cry even harder.
"Don't listen to them Hermione… You're better than them. You're prettier, smarter, stronger and wittier than all those brainless girls put all together!"
Hermione chuckled weakly. "I mean that 'Mione," Harry said."
'Mione? Where did that came from? Harry thought.
'Mione. He called me 'Mione, Hermione thought, her anger completely melting away. That's sweet.
They just stayed like that for minutes, not minding anything or anyone at all. They didn't even notice Alaysha slowly walked away grinning at her friends. Neither of them moved or spoke. Harry just stroked her hair softly, while Hermione just cried. After a few moments, Hermione pulled away. Harry was a bit disappointed when she did. He didn't know why, but whenever Hermione hugs him, he just feels all warm and fuzzy. "Better?" Harry asked.
"Funny, that's usually my line for you," Hermione chuckled at the irony. Harry was often homesick and whenever he felt so, Hermione would always hug him. In some sort of weird way, Hermione reminded him of home. "But I feel better. Loads."
"And that's usually my line."
They both chuckled. Hermione said, "I'm so sorry for breaking down like that Harry… I just—"
"Don't apologize Hermione. Those girls were mean to you. I'm the one who should be sorry for dragging you in this whole mess. And don't listen to them Hermione. Like I said earlier, you're not just a nerd to me. You're smart, funny and a beautiful girl."
Hermione was extremely touched by what Harry said. Never in her life did someone (other than her parents) told her that she was like that. Smart, funny and beautiful.
"Thanks Harry…" she hugged him again.
"Hey… Alaysha's gone," Harry noticed.
"She might have left when you were…err… comforting me."
"I guess so," Harry said, sitting down.
Hermione also sat down and opened her laptop. The Tattletale Princess Website immediately popped.
Hermione felt better now, however when she saw how many people commented on the post, her heart dropped.
…356 more comments loading
She felt her tears rising again, but then Harry took her hand and squeezed it. "Let me work on that."
He grabbed the laptop and posted a comment. After a few seconds, the comment was added for everyone to read.
Harry Potter says: This is rubbish. Pure rubbish! I am dating Hermione because she is the most amazing girl I've ever met, not because I pity her! And to those who say that no one in the right mind would date Hermione, news flash! I'm in my right mind, and I'm dating her! So why don't you people just make something better out of your Sundays, rather than spending time dissing my girlfriend.
Hermione watched in amazement as after a few moments, Tattletale Princess disabled commenting on the post.
"Serves them right," Harry said.
Hermione grinned and kissed his cheek.
Harry found his heart beating faster when she kissed him. Why do I feel like this? This all just pretend, remember Harry!
"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Say, do you want to grab some lunch?" he asked.
"I'd love to."
As they gathered their things, Hermione asked Harry casually, "Hey Harry… Did you call me 'Mione earlier?"
"Uh… I guess. I didn't realize it. I'm sorry Hermione."
"No, no. I mean… I think it's nice."
"That I called you 'Mione?"
Hermione nodded shyly. "No one ever gave me a good nickname before. And you know how I hate Hermy. It makes me sound like a hermit crab." She pouted.
Harry laughed and said, "So… can I call you 'Mione?"
"It has a nice ring to it," she admitted.
Harry grinned and said, "Well come on 'Mione. Wanna eat at McDonalds?"
"Sure. As long as you're paying."
"I'm not that rich you know."
"Oh come on."
The pair slowly walked outside of the library, laughing and talking happily, both oblivious to the fact that the thin line separating reality and pretending in their relationship was slowly fading.
