Chapter 10: Ulterior Motives
Ginny sat next to Harry on his bed as he talked with reporters. Harry was irritated for a lot of reasons. He was irritated about all the reporters being there. He was irritated about the way Ginny was acting. She was being all loving and doting and it struck a nerve with him. He didn't like the way she was acting. It was almost like she was putting on a show for the reporters and using Harry to gain popularity. He was also irritated with the way things had to be with him and Hermione. It just didn't seem right.
"Harry, how did you defeat Voldemort once again?" a reporter asked.
"To be honest I don't know," Harry replied curtly.
"What do you plan to do now that the threat has been eliminated?" another asked.
"I don't know. Get some rest and relax," he replied curtly once again.
"Is this your girlfriend? Are you going to get married?" the first reporter asked.
"No comment," Harry replied. Ginny stiffened up slightly and glanced down at him. He noticed her change in posture and ignored it. He was about to ask the reporters to leave when Ginny began talking.
"What he means is that it's our business and it should be kept private. If we are boyfriend and girlfriend or we choose to get married that is our business," Ginny said. Harry saw out of the corner of his eye her brush her hair out of her face and the reporters gasp. Suddenly they were all snapping pictures left and right and Harry didn't get why they were suddenly snapping pictures. Ginny had placed her arm around him and rested her head on his.
Madam Pomfrey came bustling out of her office. "Alright, that's enough for today. Thank you. Leave now. Harry needs his rest," She called as she shooed the reporters out. She smiled at Harry and Ginny and then after the reporters had left she went into her office.
Harry turned to Ginny. "What were they gasping about?" He asked. Ginny laughed nervously and held up her left hand. There on her ring finger was a single solitaire diamond ring. Harry's eyes widened. "What the hell is all this about?" He yelled pointing at the ring. Ginny's laughter ceased and she looked down at her lap.
"I was just playing a joke. It's not real. I just transfigured a string into this. I just thought it might be fun to play a little joke on the reporters," Ginny said with a hopeful smile.
Harry looked at her. He didn't understand what she was thinking. He didn't find it funny at all. What would Hermione think? Ron? The rest of the Weasley's? He was very irritated now. He looked at Ginny and glared at her.
"Ginny, please leave. I do not find this funny at all," Harry whispered through clenched teeth. Ginny looked at him angrily.
"Oh please, Harry, it's just a damn joke," Ginny said. She stood up and glared at him.
"I don't care. I don't appreciate it, now leave," Harry asked again. Ginny glared at him and abruptly turned around and stomped off. He heard the infirmary doors slam shut. He closed his eyes and shook his head. What was she thinking? He had to let Hermione know before she found out from the Daily Prophet. He called to Dobby.
"Yes, Harry Potter, sir?" Dobby asked.
"Dobby, could you find Hermione for me and let her know that I need to speak with her as soon as she can get down here?" Harry asked.
"Of course, Harry Potter sir, it is Dobby's pleasure sir," Dobby replied and with a crack he disappeared.
Harry sat back against his pillows. What a day this was turning out to be he thought. He heard Madam Pomfrey leaving her office. She walked over and checked him over real quick and set down a tray of food.
"Harry, it seems to be that you are recovering just fine and you should be able to get out of here in a couple of days. Eat up and get some rest," Madam Pomfrey said. Harry thanked her and she walked back to her office. No more than second past between her office door closing and the infirmary doors bursting open. Harry laughed to himself as he heard footsteps running down the walk way. He knew exactly who they belonged to, Hermione. She approached his bed looking utterly panicked.
"What is it Harry? What's wrong?!" She cried breathlessly. He smiled at her and she gave him a confused look.
"I just wanted to see you and talk to you about something or more or less inform you of something so that I can explain it to you," Harry replied. As if on cue an owl flew in with the day's Daily Prophet. The owl swooped down to Hermione and she grabbed the paper and paid the owl. She opened the paper and her eyes widened in shock.
"What is this all about?" She whispered showing Harry the paper. Sure enough, there was Ginny with the transfigured string on her finger smiling proudly while Harry looked dumbstruck. He didn't even bother reading the article.
"That is what I wanted to tell you about," Harry replied. Hermione stared at him and tears began to fill her eyes. Harry took her hands and looked at her.
"You're engaged to Ginny?" She muttered shakily.
"No," Harry replied. Hermione looked at him and the picture confused. "You of all people should know what lies can be put in the paper. Well I suppose in relation to us they weren't completely off base, but you know what I mean."
Hermione simply nodded and still looked slightly confused, but smiled a little.
"Hermione, this is Ginny's idea of a joke. She thought it would be funny to transfigure a string into a ring and put it on her left ring finger and flash it before the hungry reporters. I had no idea until the reporters gasped and started snapping pictures thus the look on my face," Harry said. Hermione stared at him and shook her head. She wiped her eyes and shook her head again. Then her face contorted into an irritated look.
"I cannot believe she did that. That is ridiculous! Why on earth would she think that is funny? Neither one of us is laughing. Everyone is going to be so shocked by it especially those who saw the exchange last night. Oh god what is Seamus going to think," Hermione began. She was pacing around his bed. She suddenly looked worried.
"Hermione, what's with the look? What does Seamus have to do with it?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked at him and told him everything that happened that morning with Seamus and Ron. Harry looked at her and listened closely. Seamus was lurking outside the infirmary? That seemed really odd to him. He claimed that he wanted to reason with him. That seemed even weirder.
"What do you think he's trying to do or wants to do I mean?" Harry asked.
"I don't know Harry, but it was really strange. I'm worried. I think you need someone with you at all times that is not conflicted such as Ginny. Ron and I will talk to Neville, Luna, Fred, and George and work out something so that one of us can be with you all the time. It just doesn't seem right to me," Hermione replied. He smiled at her. He loved the way she always needed to protect him. It made him feel really good.
"Wow, Voldemort is gone and I still need protection. At least I know I'll be in good hands. I prefer yours the most," Harry replied and he winked at her. Hermione blushed and slapped his arm.
"You are too funny Mr. Potter. What happened when you realized what Ginny did?" Hermione asked changing the subject.
"Well, basically, we got in a mini row about it. I told her that it wasn't funny and so on and she didn't get that, so she stomped off like a little three year old. I don't know Hermione. I keep asking myself if it's even worth it to keep trying with her. I mean here it is the next day after making up and she goes and does something like this. It just doesn't make sense. I don't even know if her head is screwed on right," Harry complained. Hermione couldn't help, but smile to herself.
"Harry, things aren't going to be absolutely perfect the day after making up. Just give it some more time. I mean look at Ron and I, I apologize to him easy enough and he tells me he has to think about it. We can't give up yet," Hermione replied. Harry frowned and became interested in a string on the bed sheet. Hermione looked at him.
"It sounds almost like you don't want to be with me," Harry whispered. He continued to look down at the sheet and sighed. Hermione reached out and cupped his face.
"Of course I want to be with you, we just need to sort this other stuff out first," Hermione replied. She kissed him gently on the lips.
"I know I just wanted to hear you say it." He grinned broadly at her and Hermione looked at him confused for a moment and then she figured it out. He was just teasing her.
"You prat!" She cried as she slapped his arm. He tried to grab her arms and she was just out of reach then he tried it again and pulled her onto the bed with him. He pinned her arms in front of her and grinned at her.
"What did you call me?" Harry asked. Hermione struggled a bit, but loved every minute of it.
"A prat," she repeated. He nodded at her and then pulled her against him.
"That's what I thought," he whispered. He kissed her softly and then upped the pressure. He let go of her arms and she slid them behind his neck. He slipped his hands behind her back and they continued kissing for a long time. They were interrupted when someone cleared their throat. Hermione jumped back nearly knocking into Harry's nose as she turned to see who was clearing their throat. Madam Pomfrey stood there tapping her foot.
"I honestly don't know who you are with at this moment Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey stated.
Harry blushed a deep crimson and Hermione followed suit. "Neither do I Madam Pomfrey, neither do I," Harry replied.
"Well, either way, since Hermione is here, can you please help Harry out of bed and help him with his walking?" She asked Hermione. Hermione nodded. Madam Pomfrey stood on one side of Harry and Hermione was on the other as he sat on the edge of his bed. They supported each side of him as he unsteadily stood up from the bed. His legs felt very weak and he thought for sure he was going to fall, but Madam Pomfrey and Hermione kept a hold of him. They walked him towards the main walk way and Madam Pomfrey slowly let go and moved away.
"Hermione, just support him and help him walk from one end to the other. There is no rush to get him walking. He will still be here for a couple of days, but he needs to get his legs strengthened up again," Madam Pomfrey told her. Hermione nodded and Madam Pomfrey left them to their walking.
Hermione placed her arm around Harry's middle as he put his arm around her shoulders. They took some slow steps at first.
"This is a little more difficult than I expected. You'd think they'd have some potion that would just put all the strength back into my legs," Harry muttered.
"Well some things just have to be done the old fashioned way. Now don't be lazy about this. The faster you can walk, the faster you can get out of here," Hermione said. Harry nodded.
They walked from one end of the infirmary to the next together. Harry could feel his legs getting stronger, but he wasn't ready to let go of Hermione. On their second go down the walk way Hermione stopped.
"I'm going to let you walk on your own. I will be right next to you, but I want you to try it on your own," Hermione said.
"But Hermione, I don't think I'm quite ready for that," Harry protested. Hermione gave him a stern look and Harry sighed and decided not to argue with her. She slowly let go of him as he tried to find his balance. He took a deep breath and began taking a few steps. He was a little wobbly, but he managed to walk by himself for a few feet. He smiled to himself and looked back at Hermione and smiled at her. She smiled back. He began picking up his pace, but didn't get very far. He had pushed himself too fast and he felt himself lose his footing.
Hermione saw what was happening and rushed to break his fall. She managed to catch him and lower him to a sitting position on the ground. Harry was embarrassed. He rested his head between his knees and tried to get his breathing under control. He felt Hermione's hand on his shoulder.
"Harry it's okay. You can't expect results right away. You did great on your own and especially with me. Don't give up," Hermione encouraged.
"I know, but I don't want to be here anymore. I mean you know how much I have hated being here in this room. It sucks. I just want to be out there celebrating with everyone and enjoying life and moving on. Not stuck in here," Harry complained.
Hermione smiled at him. "Don't rush it Harry," She replied.
"I don't even know where I'm going to stay. I mean I can't be by myself for a bit I'm sure. Who knows that the lasting effects are? I could be somewhere by myself and suddenly have some weird episode and no one would know about it," Harry continued.
Hermione nodded. She knew that as long as he was here he would always have someone watching over him, but as far as after he was discharged he had a point. Who was going to stay with him? Surely Ron would, but then again he might not like being out on his own quite yet. Ginny probably wouldn't mind for a little while, but then she'd get tired of it, plus they'd probably be at each other's throats all the time. That left Hermione, herself. She would love to take care of Harry and spend lots of private time with him and it would help her to not worry so much about him if she were at her own house. Plus as long as Seamus didn't know where he'd be he should be pretty safe.
"I'll stay with you Harry," Hermione whispered. She was scared to look at him and thought that he might just laugh at her and not want that even though she knows his feelings for her. Harry looked at her and grinned broadly.
"That's a great idea Hermione, but do you think you'd be okay with it, I mean considering how things are between us and our significant others?" Harry asked.
She smiled at him. "Well, who else would be willing to take care of you day in and day out?" Hermione asked back.
"Um, nobody I suppose," He replied sadly.
"Harry, there are plenty who would take care of you, but I'm the only one who doesn't have ulterior motives. Ron would, but being away from his mom's cooking would just be too difficult for him and Ginny, well I'm sure she would, but to be honest Harry I can't trust her intentions," Hermione stated.
Harry nodded. "You're right. I can't trust her intentions either, but we have to give us a chance to gain it back, but I'm not up to living with her 24/7."
Hermione laughed. "And you're up to that with me?" Hermione asked.
He smiled at her and put a hand to her face. "Of course I am. I've already spent a good few months out on our own with you and we were roughing it so to speak. Besides how else am I going to get to spend quality alone time with you?"
She blushed. "That is true. Well then it's settled. After you are allowed to leave we will go stay at Grimmauld Place and make sure you heal up just right."
Harry smiled at her. This was one of the many reasons why he loved her. She was so compassionate and cared about other people's well being before her own.
"Why are you looking at me that way?" Hermione asked.
Harry reached up and kissed her. "I am looking at you that way because you are showing me once again one of the many reasons why I love you," he replied. She rested her forehead on his and sighed. Suddenly, the infirmary doors opened and Hermione and Harry jumped out of their skins and nearly knocked each other out. Hermione and Harry turned to the doors and saw Neville and Luna standing there. They both looked slightly confused.
"Hello Neville, Luna. What brings you down here?" Hermione asked. She stood up and helped Harry up and to his bed. They exchanged looks before looking back at Neville and Luna.
"Well, we were coming to check on Harry and uh, Ron told us to come down here so he could talk with us," Neville replied looking between the two of them.
"Had you two just been kissing?" Luna asked dreamily. Hermione and Harry glanced at each other and laughed nervously.
"No, of course not, Hermione was just helping me get up after I fell," Harry replied. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Oh well, um, so Ron isn't here yet then?" Neville asked. Harry and Hermione shook their heads.
The infirmary doors had opened again and Ron, Fred, and George walked in. They all exchanged greetings.
"Well, I asked you all to come down here because Hermione and I have some things to discuss with all of you so make yourselves comfortable." Ron directed and so they did.