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Chapter 9: So That's Where Our Stubbornness Came From

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"So, if you would be happy with someone else, then why did you go out with me?"

"I should ask you the same question. You know you would rather go out with someone else than me."

"Like who? How would you know?"

"Hermione, you know what I think? You know who you should go out with?"

"Who?"

"Harry."

"Harry? Why do you think that?"

"You seem perfect for each other."

"Ok, this doesn't sound like the Ron Weasley I know, who are you and what have you done with my best friend." Ron smiled.

"Seriously, Ron, what's with you, usually you wouldn't be able to see this relationship stuff even if it smacked you in the face, and now you're acting like an expert."

"I'm not an expert on relationship stuff, Hermione, I know that. I just know the difference between right and wrong. And this," He motioned to himself and Hermione, "is wrong, and you being with Harry is right." Hermione sighed.

"He's going out with your sister, Ron."

"No, I've heard they broke up."

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Lily told me."

"You're trusting her? She's lied to us, all three of them have. What if she's misleading you?"

"If you saw the look in her eyes you'd have seen there was no lie in them. She's telling the truth."

"Why did she lie in the first place?"

"She said that her grandmother's name was Lily and she died, and ever since then she's hated her name, so she gave herself a new name." Hermione snorted.

"That sounds like a load of rubbish."

"She sounded sincere, Hermione."

"The enemy would sound sincere to get you to trust them, Ron."

"The enemy? I really don't think Lily, Blake, and Julia are Death Eaters."

"Then explain all the sneakiness, all the questions of their past. It isn't believable." Ron didn't answer, but Hermione said,

"Ok, I agree with you on the breaking up. We weren't all that happy. But I really don't think you should trust Lily Walker, or her brother, or Julia."

"It's hard not to trust someone you feel you have a connection with, Hermione. I finally noticed it, when I was talking with Julia the other day about the Seeker battle. It's almost like she's family or something. You know the kind of feeling I'm talking about, Hermione, you've said you've felt it with Lily and Blake." Again Hermione sighed.

"I know, but still, don't be so quick to trust them, don't allow them to take your life into their hands, because you never know what'll happen next." Ron smiled.

"Stop worrying about me, Hermione. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself." Hermione returned the smile, and said,

"I know, but you're foolish sometimes."

"Everyone's allowed some foolishness every once in a while, 'Mione."

"Not when it depends on life or death."

"I don't think they're out to kill us, Hermione. I really doubt it, they're only seventeen. Give them a chance, don't just jump to conclusions. And think about what I said about Harry."

"I'm not going to go out with him, Ron." Before Ron could say another word, Hermione got up and grabbing her books, she went up the girls' staircase to her dormitory. Just as she disappeared up the stairs, Harry came through the portrait hole. He came and sat by Ron, but didn't say anything.

"Well?" Harry brought his attention to his friend.

"Well what?"

"What happened?"

"Ginny and I broke up." Ron nodded.

"What happened?"

"She said that we aren't really meant for each other, and I can kinda see her point."

"You can?" Harry nodded.

"She feels more like a sister than a girlfriend."

"And what about Hermione? What do you think of her?"

"She's my best friend. What do you mean, what about Hermione? I'm not going to go after her."

"Why not?"

"She's going out with you."

"Well, you're not the only one who's single again after tonight."

"You and Hermione broke up too? Why?"

"Pretty much the same reason why you and Ginny broke up. You know what I think?" Harry laughed.

"That the Chudley Cannons are going to win the World Cup this year? Or at least that's what you've told me already." Both of them laughed.

"Well, that, and," Ron's laughter ceased, and so did Harry's. "I think you should go out with Hermione."

"Why?"

"Just because. I think you'd be good together."

"You do?"

"Yeah."

"Hermione's my best friend though."

"So, Hermione is my best friend too."

"That's different. You're different than I am."

"Not really."

"I'm not going to go out with Hermione, Ron. One, it's right after break ups, and two, it's Hermione."

"What's wrong with Hermione?"

"There's nothing wrong with her, it's just, I don't know." 'Voldemort'll kill her, that's what's wrong.' Ron sighed in exasperation.

"See, you can't think of anything. So, go out with her."

"I'm not asking her out." With that, Harry stood up and went towards the boys' staircase. When he was out of sight, Blake, Lily and Julia came over to speak with Ron.

"So, how'd it go?"

"The break up went fine, but both Harry and Hermione are too damn stubborn to go out with each other. They claim they don't like each other, and they're just friends, but I can see it, I'm not blind."

"Why won't Hermione go out with Harry?"

"They both said the same thing, they're best friends, and they don't want to ruin what they've got." Lily sighed in annoyance.

"Can't they see that they're perfect for each other?"

"Those two are the most stubborn people I've ever met. If they ever do come to their senses and get together, they're children will be ten times worse." Lily and Blake side glanced at each other and smiled slightly.

"So what are you three going to do now?"

"I don't know, we'll think about it."

"Well, whatever you do, tread softly around Hermione. She doesn't trust either one of you, 'specially you, Lily."

"Why me?"

"You lied about your name."

"So? So I told her my name was something else, so what?"

"She already didn't trust you from the beginning, and finding out you've lied about your name just throws more fuel to the fire." Lily sighed again, and collapsed into the chair that her dad was just in minutes before. Blake hadn't said anything for a while, he was thinking hard. He had watched the conversation and watched his father's face.

"Ron, what did Harry say when you asked why he wouldn't go out with her?"

"That it was just after break ups and it's Hermione. Then I asked what's wrong with Hermione and he never gave me a straight answer." Blake became thoughtful again. Lily, Julia, and Ron all stared at him. But Blake had noticed the look on Harry's face when he answered Ron's question about what was wrong with Hermione. It was the same look that he had when he worried about her, when she was in danger. Without another word, Blake got up quickly and ran up the boys' staircase. After he was gone, Lily, Julia and Ron all looked at each other confused. Julia said,

"What was that all about?"

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"Hey." Blake stood in the doorway, talking to his father, who was sitting on his bed, leaning against some pillows, reading a book. Harry looked up when he heard Blake speak and said halfheartedly,

"Hey."

"Heard you broke up with Ginny?"

"Yeah. It wasn't meant to be."

"I know."

"Let me guess, you talked to Ron."

"Yeah."

"Did he tell you what he thought about me and Hermione?" Blake nodded, and went and sat cross-legged on his bed.

"And I think he might be right, too."

"Really? I don't."

"Why?"

"I don't want to go out with Hermione," Harry said, looking back at what Blake now saw was his dad's favorite photo albumn.

"You don't want her to be in danger." Harry's gaze jerked from the album to his son.

"You want to know how I know? I could see the look on your face when you were talking with Ron. You're worried about Hermione; you're worried that something'll happen to her if you go out with her; that Voldemort'll hurt her. And what I don't understand is why you're worried about Voldemort hurting Hermione, but not about him hurting Ginny when you went out with her."

"Because I knew I wouldn't end up with Ginny. I didn't want to turn her down when she asked me out, so I agreed, but I knew it wouldn't work out. She's more like a sister to me than a girlfriend. But…" Harry took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "I've loved Hermione since I was fifteen. Ever since I was in the Department of Mysteries and I thought she had died. When I realized she was still alive it was then I realized I loved her, and wouldn't want her to get hurt. Voldemort's after me, seeking to kill me, and I don't want him to kill her to get to me. So I figured if I kept telling myself she's just my best friend that I'd start to believe it, and when the time came, that Voldemort would believe it too."

"But Hermione can take care of herself, Harry…"

"I know she can, but when Voldemort wants to kill you, there's no stopping him. One person is no match for him, except supposedly me."

"And I know you know that no matter what, whether you're going out with her or not, she's still in danger. She's a muggle born and you know Voldemort hates muggle borns. And she's already in danger because she's your best friend."

"I know that."

"But think about it, Harry. Have you ever heard that if you love someone you should say it, not hold it in? Because if you do, you never know when it might be too late, and you can't tell them, and they'll never know." Harry went back to looking through his photo album, while Blake got up and left.

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"You know who I think might be a good match for you?" Julia said to her father.

"Who?"

"Lavender Brown." Ron laughed.

"Are you serious?" He laughed again, Lily and Julia looked at each other in confusion.

"Why, what's wrong with Lavender?"

"She's one of the biggest gossiping sluts in seventh year. She's at a tie with Parvati Patil." The same thing was going through Lily and Julia's mind at the same time. 'Then what the hell changed his mind about her?'

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. You tell either one of them a secret and the whole school will know within fifteen minutes." Julia then remembered something her dad told her once about her mum,

"When I was in school, you're mother was the biggest gossip in our year. She still is sort of, but she's not as bad. I remember I used to hate her."

"Then what happened?"

"She I met up with her a year later, and I realized she had changed. We went out on a few dates, and then later we got married and had you." Seven-year-old Julia grinned and said,

"Good." Julia was brought back to the future, and she shrugged.

"Oh, well, I guess we could be wrong. We're allowed one mistake." Lily gave her a look that said, 'what?' but Julia shook her head slightly. Lily didn't say anything more. Ron closed his book and stood up and stretched.

"I think I'm going to turn in, I'll see you two in the morning."

"Good night," Julia and Lily replied at the same time. Once Ron was gone, Lily said,

"Are you going to bed too?"

"No, I'm going to work on some homework. Damn Snape, he's evil I tell you."

"I know, but if you'll excuse me, I must to speak to my mother." Blake came down the stairs just as Lily left, and Julia answered the question in Blake's eyes.

"She's going to talk to your mother."

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"Please don't kill my son, take me, kill me instead. Please, have mercy." Hermione tried making her way through the mist, trying to find the people and help them. But she heard Voldemort say,

"Stand aside, you silly girl, stand aside." The woman pleaded for mercy again, but Hermione knew she'd receive none. Hermione cringed as she heard the two words that would end the woman's life,

"Avada Kedavra." The woman screamed, and Hermione heard her fall to the ground. Hermione's eyes flew open and she sat up rapidly, making her daughter jump and fall to the ground in surprise. Hermione heard her mutter as she went down,

"Shit." Hermione looked over the edge of the bed as Lily stood up again.

"Are you ok?" Hermione said a little colder than Lily would've liked to hear from her mother.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What are you doing up here?"

"I came to talk to you." Lily started brushing herself off.

"What do you want?"

"Why won't you go out with Harry?" Hermione sighed.

"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Because." Hermione snapped.

"Because isn't good enough," Lily snapped back. Hermione glared at Lily.

"Why should I tell you anything, Lily Walker?"

"Because, I'm trying to set things right."

"How do I know that?"

"You've got to believe me. I'm not trying to hurt you, I'm trying to help you find happiness." Hermione snorted and laughed.

"That was a lame excuse."

"Hermione," Lily said, taking a deep breath so as not to start yelling at her mother, "I know you don't trust me right now. But I'm not a bad person. I'm just like you. I crave knowledge in books; I value my friends and family above anybody else. I've been described as a know-it-all; I know…I've noticed a connection between you and I, like we're supposed to be friends. I'm trying to be one to you, but I can't be if you don't trust me."

"Why would I want you for a friend?"

"Who else have you told about your reoccurring dream?" Hermione didn't answer, but Lily knew the answer.

"You obviously trust me enough to tell me about it, and I'm trying to help you figure out what it's about." Hermione again didn't answer, she was thinking. Lily decided to quote her mother.

"You know what my mother told me once?"

"What?"

"Do not judge others before getting to know them, or else pretty soon others will do the same to you." There was silence between the two of them until Lily said,

"So, what did you dream this time?" Hermione smiled vaguely, she didn't trust Lily quite yet, but she trusted her enough with her dream.

"I heard the woman pleading with Voldemort not to kill her, to not kill her son. Then Voldemort killed her."

"You didn't see anything?"

"No, I tried to go through the fog, but I can't reach her. I want to know who it is."

"I figure it's someone important in your life. If not that woman, then maybe it's one of her family members that's important to you. Someday you'll see who it is, I'm almost sure of it." Hermione smiled, and deciding that maybe she could slowly start to trust this girl, said,

"You really think so?"

"Yeah I do. You'll figure out what all this means soon." Hermione smiled again.

"I'm not going out with Harry though."

"Why not?"

"Because, what if I asked him and he said no? What makes you so sure he'd go out with me?"

"I don't know. But still, you'll never know unless you find out."

"What makes you think I want to go out with him?"

"Come on, you said you used to fancy him when you were younger. And come on, it's Harry Potter." Hermione laughed.

"If I were to go out with Harry…if I were to go out with him, it wouldn't be because he's the Boy Who Lived. It'd be because he's Harry. But I'm still not going out with him." Lily sighed in exasperation and threw her hands up in defeat. Hermione laughed as Lily started for the door. Before leaving, Lily said,

"I'm not giving up on you." Hermione laughed again and Lily left the room. She went downstairs and when she saw that Blake and Julia were the only ones still in the common room, she collapsed into a chair and said,

"Oh…my…God…my mother is the most stubborn person I have ever come across in my seventeen years. Yeah, I knew she was already, but not that much."

"Yeah, Dad's not much better. He's just as stubborn as she is."

"Now I know where we get it from. It's just like Ron said, Harry and Hermione's kids'll be ten times as stubborn as they are."

"Only, I think your mum and dad are ten times more stubborn, and you two are the lesser ones."

"Well, everything up to this point has been easy as pie. But this next step is going to be hell."

"We're up for it though. We're their son and daughter, we know them better than everyone else here except for maybe Ron, and we have his help along with Jules."

"Speaking of which, how come you dropped the subject about your mum and dad, Jules?"

"They didn't get together till a year after they got out of school. It's going to be fine."

"Alright. Well, we've a large task ahead of us, and as soon as things start looking up for Mum and Dad, we'll brew the potion and go home."

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A/N: Oh my gosh, that was a long chapter!! Oh well, hope you enjoyed it. Please review; let me know what y'all think of my story.

Husker-fan-2006