BET ME!
The Winner Takes All
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AN: No. You're not seeing things. I really have updated. Writer's block is horrible. And I know I haven't been updating (in three months! I'm appalled at myself!). It's really hard because I have no idea what to do. I mean, I have an idea on some parts but those have to come later down in the story.
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Cho ignored the secretary's shouts and screams and barged inside Viktor's office. She slammed the door behind her and cleared her throat. But her attention was already gained. Viktor was staring at her incredulously. It took a minute for him to realize the he still had someone on the phone line. He blinked and swallowed. "I'll call you back." He said and put the receiver back in its original position. He sighed and smiled. "What can I do for you, Cho Chang?"
"You're a damn idiot. Do you know that?" Cho replied. Viktor's eyebrow shot up in surprise and curiosity. "How could you place that bet on him?" Cho said, stepping forward. "I still love him! What if he falls in love with her!"
"He won't, I assure you." Viktor said. His voice was calm and sure. But Cho couldn't believe it. She wouldn't. She was specialized in the mystery called love and she knew about Harry's behaviour. She did a research on it. He could fall in love with Hermione. It was possible. "It's all an act." Viktor persisted to persuade her after he saw the doubtful look she had written on her face. "He can't."
"He can." Cho said, stepping forward once more. "Hell, maybe he is. I don't know…." Cho didn't want to consider it. She still wanted to believe that he loved her but was too afraid to show it. "I have to prove that he still has feelings for me." Cho was now at Viktor's desk. "Any ideas?" She whispered and leaned against the desk. She was so close to Viktor that she could feel his breath on her face.
Viktor swallowed hard and licked his lips. A nervous reaction. Cho smiled. She had him. "Viktor." She said huskily. "Do you have any ideas?" She was leaning in too close. He was seeing things for Cho that he didn't really need to see but he was too curious to care. How the hell did Harry leave her? How could he have left this amazing, wonderfully hot woman? Damn, he was always jealous of Harry.
"I have a few." Viktor's voice strained. Cho's smile became wider.
………………………………………………
"Welcome to Bella!" Neville shouted to his customers. He gave them each a menu and told them to sit. Lavender was still observing the restaurant. She had a scornful look on her face Hermione and Luna noticed but knew Lavender too much not to ask.
Unfortunately, Dean was still in unknown waters.
"Lav, honey, something wrong?" Dean asked. Lavender shot him a look before opening her mouth to comment. But, Luna was quick enough to stop her.
"This is a great place, Mr. Longbottom!" Luna said. Neville smiled and Hermione looked relieved. Lavender rolled her eyes and proceeded to look on her menu. "Don't think so, Ron?"
"Of course. I have most of my dates…here..." He trailed off when he received a death look from Luna. "Uh…Hermione do you like it?" He said, immediately changing the subject. Hermione smiled. She was happy enough to help Ron out. She didn't want this outing to end on bad terms.
"Yes. I love it." Hermione said. Harry turned to Hermione and gave her a questioning look. Wasn't she in angry after they had left the restaurant that night? Hermione avoided Harry's gaze and her smile never wavered. "I had a great time."
"Is everyone finished?" Neville asked. They all nodded and he took their menus. "Good, can I take your order? And quickly, please. My chef doesn't like to be kept waiting."
After he had taken their orders, conversation had begun again. They heard little bells minutes later indicating that someone had entered. Lavender was the first to comment. "Oh, my God could they be more obvious?" Everyone else looked at her and then where her stare was.
Cho and Viktor had entered the restaurant. Cho's hair looked crazy and their clothes were in disarray. They were both blushing and smiling at each other. They sat down across from them, ignoring the others' curious eyes.
"Geez, I never knew Cho could stoop this low." Ron muttered. "And with Viktor no less. She must really love you, Harry." Harry's jaw tightened. He glanced over at Hermione, who was burning holes in Viktor's head.
How could he be so stupid? How could he have had sex with Harry's ex? Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. She still had feelings for the man that was sitting across from her. Her lips were tightened in anger. "Hermione…" Harry began.
"I'm going out for some air." She said, still staring at Viktor. Before Harry could stop her, she was already out the door.
Cho and Viktor smiled at each other. "Looks like she still has feelings for you, dear Viktor." Cho whispered.
"Why did she leave?" Ron asked.
"Because she was upset with Cho, you dolt." Lavender blurted out. She received a swat from Luna. "What? It's true." Harry looked from the door to his friends. He sighed.
"I'm going to talk to her." He said and stood up to leave. He didn't spare a glance to Viktor and Cho's table. Once he was outside, he saw Hermione sitting down on the pavement. "Hermione?" Harry called out quietly. Hermione didn't turn around nor did she respond. "Hermione." Harry said firmer.
"What is it, Harry?"
"Explain to me why you just left the restaurant in a silent fit." Harry said. "And please, do not leave out the details." He sat down beside her but she avoided his eyes. "Hermione." He said more gently. "Were you angry that Cho was in there? Because I assure you, I don't care for her…"
"It wasn't that, Harry." Hermione said irritably. "Just…please." The last thing she wanted to do was to admit she still had feelings for Viktor. But wasn't it already obvious? Luna must be thinking about ten different ways to hurt her. "I just need some air." Harry nodded and Hermione was relieved that he had understood. He re-entered the restaurant.
"Is everything okay?" Luna asked. The food had already come.
"Yeah. I hope so." Harry replied. He put a forkful of food in his mouth and looked out pensively through the window. He was not thinking about the delicious taste of the food but of Hermione. Did she have feelings for Viktor? If she did, then what was the point of this bet? Hermione would never sleep with him if she still had feelings for Viktor. Is this what Viktor wanted? Harry had a strange feeling it was.
This bet was very unfair.
Should he still go through with it? That was the main question that buzzed in his head. The bet was rigged. That was a valid reason to leave her. Besides, all he had to do was have sex with her. There were no feelings for her on his part…right?
Then why was the fact that she still had feelings for Viktor bothering him? He would usually see it as a challenge. Great. Now, he was worrying about her liking Viktor more than him. This was unreal!
"Uh…Harry." Ron said, dragging Harry back to reality. "Where'd you go?" He asked. Harry looked away from the window and saw the entire group staring at him. He shook his head and put another forkful in his mouth. The door opened and Hermione entered. She avoided looking at Cho and Viktor's curious stares and everyone else's stares in the room also. She sat beside Harry and without hesitation began to eat her food.
"Hermione." Luna said cautiously. "Are you alright?"
Hermione nodded and drank her juice in one gulp. "Just peachy." She said bitterly. She leaned back in her chair and sighed. The silence from the group was deafening. She rolled her eyes. "Guys, I'm fine. Really." She looked down. "I want to go home now."
Harry nodded and they both got up. They said good-bye to the gang and Neville and exited the restaurant. Before they could reach the car, however, they heard a voice that held them back. "So, Hermione. Is this the new man in your life? Talk about rebound." It was Viktor. They both turned to him. He had Cho stuck to his arm. It seemed as if she wasn't aware of anyone else but Harry. She was openly staring at him.
Viktor went up to themand shook Harry's hand. "Hi. My name's Viktor Krum. I'm Hermione's ex." Harry nodded. Pretending to be seeing him for the first time in his life. "Unfortunately, we had some issues we couldn't work out. Have you reached those issues yet, Hermione?"
Hermione grounded her teeth. How could he stoop so low to say that? The last thing she wanted Harry to hear were the problems she had with Viktor. They were personal and private. But, then again, Harry might know. They were friends after all."C'mon, Harry. Let's go." Hermione mumbled.
"Wait a minute. You haven't told him?" Viktor continued. "Well, Harry. Let me tell you something. You are going to be the unhappiest man on earth when her real colours come out. And, you'll be dying to get out of the relationship. Take it from experience." Viktor winked.
Hermione stood there, shocked. How could she have ever liked the man? How could she have liked a man so stupid, immature and rude? She was about to tell him off when she felt a comforting hand slip around her waist. What was Harry doing? "Well, I commend you for your audacity to say those things to me when she's here. But that's as far as the admiration goes."
"Hermione is a great woman and I'm very happy to be with her. I don't care about any silly issues you ever had with her. They don't concern me. Now, I think you're the unlucky one and rather the desperate one considering that you have my ex-girlfriend on your right arm. Trying to make me jealous, Viktor? Really. Could you be more obvious?"
Hermione looked at Harry. Her jaw had slightly dropped during the speech.He stood up for her.Did he…no. It was the bet talking, Hermione. The bet. But Hermione couldn't stop from being amazed. No man had everstood up for her. It was fantastic yet at the same time, dreadful.
He was trying to be the brave protector in order to sweep her off her feet. My Lord, any woman would see that a mile away. He wasn't fooling anyone but himself.
"C'mon, Hermione. Let's go." Harry opened the car door and let Hermione inside. Hermione looked through the window and saw Viktor and Cho astonished by the way Harry responded. Hermione couldn't help but smile. He may have been pretending but it sure blew them over.
………………………………………..
"What do you mean I was trying to impress you?" Harry asked. He glanced at her. Hermione's arms were folded and she was looking at him angrily.
"I could have defended myself." Hermione retorted. "You made me look like a stupid damsel in distress!" She erupted. "I don't need saving, Harry."
"He had insulted you and you don't think I should have helped?" Harry replied.
"I was going to insult him back when you interrupted me!" Hermione shouted. "I don't like to be made weak in front of people.. It is the worst possible feeling to experience!"
"I'm sure." Harry muttered.
Hermione frowned and looked at him. "What do you mean by that?"
"When you went outside to 'get some air', I could see, for a moment, some sort of weakness in your eyes. Then, you immediately put up the tough exterior once more thinking everything is going to be alright." Harry explained. "It doesn't work like that forever, Hermione. It'll break down someday."
He sounded matter-of-factly. That scared Hermione.He knew so much about her."You don't know what you're talking about." If petty denial was the trick to keep him off her tracks then so be it.
Harry didn't answer. Of course I do.I feel the same way.He confessed in his head. He parked the car beside her house. They didn't get up immediately. Hermione's arms were still folded and she was still gazing through the window. Harry leaned against the driver's seat and sighed.
For a few moments, silence engulfed the two.
"Harry, all I'm saying is that you don't need to protect me every waking moment." Hermione decided to reconcile. Harry looked at her. She was avoiding his gaze.
"Fine. I won't." Harry said. "But I care about you a lot, Hermione. It was just pure instinct." Hermione shook her head at him.
"You're such a man." She replied. They both laughed. "Well, goodnight." She was about to open the door when Harry grabbed her arm. "What?" She asked in alarm.
Harry smiled. "Could at least give me some gratitude?" Hermione smiled also. She leaned in and gave him a sweet, lingering kiss that even made her shiver.
"How's that for gratitude?" She whispered. Harry stroked her cheek.
"That was perfect." He whispered back. Her smile widened and she broke away from him. "Um…we're still on for Wednesday, right?"
"Oh! Geez…no." Hermione said. "Harry, my sister's third rehearsal dinner is on that day. I have to go or else my mother will have a fit."
"Oh. Okay." Harry didn't even bother to hide his disappointment. But why was he even disappointed?
"But…you can come too." Hermione tried. "But, then again, you might not want to meet my mother so soon so I don't know how that's going to work out…"Harry put his finger to her lips to stop her.
"I'll come." He said.
Wait…what?
Hermione looked shocked. "You…you will? Uh…okay." She wasn't sure what to say. "You'll really come?"
Harry nodded and smiled. "Yes." He said.Hermione smiled and hugged him.
"Thank you so much." She whispered in his ears. "For everything." She got out of the car and entered her building.
Harry leaned against the seat once more and sighed wearily. What the hell did he just do? Hermione had such a great effect on him that he was now doing the unthinkable. He was going to meet the parents that had brought up Hermione Granger. He was going to meet parents.
That day just kept getting better and better.
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AN:There, I updated. Are you happy now? I see another update in…oh…I don't know, next week, maybe? Maybe. If you review!
