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Chapter Eleven– I promise

Luna Lovegood-Granger was angry, seriously angry, as she knocked once again at her best friend's bedroom door, received no reply, she could hear the muffled sniffs and cries of Hermione's and that made her only angrier with one raven haired excuse of a gentleman under the name of Harry James Potter.

She sighed, glanced at the locked door and finally left the spot she was occupying for the past fifteen minutes. Hermione needed time, last night had been a dream that turned into a nightmare. Hermione had started with baby steps into changing her life and through her muffled sobs, she explained that Mr. Potter had been tolerant –again- to another Weasley this time who openly flirted with him in front of her…

What in Merlin's name?

Luna had done her best to convince Hermione to open up and that idiot had broken her, she would have a word or two with the man so she could show him how it's accomplished by a lady!

She returned to her chambers and closed the door softly behind her, the Grangers were upset enough, they didn't need more. They all had returned last night without Mr. Potter's escort after Hermione's refusal and Luna was sure, many people had noticed so. Her dear Mr. Longbottom had done his best to help but the common anger for Harry had almost been shown to Neville as well who only tried to put up excuses and explain how Harry always tolerated things for the Weasleys since they're like family to him. Hermione only got more upset and the result was of the Grangers returning on their own way earlier than intended back to their estate.

Had Luna being wrong into pushing Hermione to choose mr. Potter? Had she been too harsh on her friend on finally trying and attempting something new? Doubt filled her heart as she thought of how many hours Hermione was locked in her room and it was the morning yet Mr. Potter hadn't showed up nor had sent a message, asking permission to visit. What was he trying to do? Drive her more away? Didn't he understand what he had done? Luna had thought he would be the one to help Hermione face the world, so far he had destroyed it for her.

She was ready to move outside her room again and try to speak to Hermione when she heard the front door of the house slamming shut and a commission of people talking in unison, or rather shouting, she easily recognized a voice calling Hermione's name, it was Harry Potter.

'Hermione!' Harry was calling again and again and Luna could hear him climbing the stairs, Jane and Edward were also heard behind him, asking him to stop and contain himself but he had none of it. Luna felt anger flaring up inside her once more and opened her door with forced, rushed close to Hermione's door and stood before it the moment Mr. Potter was reaching it. He might have won a war but he would step over her dead body as to disturb Hermione.

'I need to speak with her.' Harry said out of breath as he stood before a very stern and angry Miss Lovegood. From the moment he had seen Hermione leaving the room and refusing to let him speak let alone escort her back to her house, Harry had decided to get done with all his issues once and for all.

He had never expected they would have such fight over something as silly as Ginerva's problems with her own life but he had to admit, he should have told Hermione about Ginerva and his "past" with her and he should have been less subtle on confronting the young Malfoy lady before his fiancé.

That very morning he had visited Arthur Weasley and had demanded to have a word with his daughter or he would have to speak to Master Malfoy himself, Molly had tried to defend her daughter but Harry had none of it and had reassured the matriarch Weasley that the next time Ginerva tried similar, they would need months to see him again…

Then he had spoken to Ron who in all seriousness had promised that he would speak to his sister, Harry trusted Ron with his life even if they had their own cracks in their friendship and he knew the ginger would do his best, it was back in the past the time when they could fool around. Now they were adults and they had responsibilities, the games were over.

And when he was finally done, he was on his way to the Grangers manor, where he would speak to Hermione about everything and he would clear the air between them. He had hurt her unwillingly and he was ready to repair the damage by any means necessary.

'No… I think not.' Luna said soberly and nodded to her step parents it was alright for them to go back downstairs while she and her wand hidden in her skirt handled the situation there. She wrapped her arms before her and looked at him, challenging with her huge blue eyes to dare defy her.

'Lun- Miss Lovegood, please, I need to speak with my fiancé.' Harry tried again, he knew someone would finally stop him and he expected to be the stubborn lady, Hermione was her sister not only in the papers but in the heart as well, of course Luna would have been the last fortress to fall and a difficult one at that.

'And I need to speak with you, Mr. Potter,' Luna said sternly and finally had her arms freed so one of her hands could move and point her index finger at him, bold and daring for a lady yet so true for Luna. 'You don't get to crush her again after your unacceptable behavior last night. You know her, you know how she is! You have learnt that much about her! She is not going to open up again and it's entirely your fault!' Luna started in a hushed voice since they were right outside Hermione's chambers.

'I trusted you! I pushed her to leave behind all her fears and worries and surrender to her feelings for you!' Luna went on and she felt lick smacking his arm or something but it would be too much for her status. 'And you had Mrs. Malfoy gloating over your unknown to us, past of yours and hers in common and Hermione was just left to watch, like she had done with Mrs. Weasley and her insults at the engagement party! So give me a reason why I should allow you to see my sister!' Luna went on and Harry was left to stare at her, through her hurtful truth and her outburst, he had kept something above all to highlight.

'Her feelings for me?' he asked, he knew they were trying, he knew she needed time and he certainly knew he had feelings for her, feelings that had never surfaced before for someone in his heart, but he never dared hope or believe that she had started having feelings for him, she had told him about her heart, and he hoped it was true but his own insecurities and past of loses had taught him not to rise his hopes that easily.

'Enough, Luna,' her voice startled both as they turned around the moment the door was opening to reveal Hermione, in her nightgown and robe, her hair still up from last night, her face pale and stricken with tears. Her eyes fell on Harry for a moment before she could look at her blond friend. 'Allow me to speak with Mr. Potter here and then we'll talk.' Hermione said calmly and Luna glanced at Harry before she could turn a soft gaze at her friend.

'You're certain?' she asked and Hermione gave the tiniest of smiles at her friend's loyalty.

'Positive, it won't take long, after all.' Hermione said seriously and Harry felt his heart tightening at her tone. Luna finally sighed, glared at Harry once again and stepped aside for the two to enter Hermione's chambers.

He had never been there before, it was a beautiful room, with a nice tapestry, a big bed, a desk, a big wardrobe and a vanity and to Harry's mild surprise, a big bookcase full of books for her issues of magical and muggle books, an impressive collection for a young woman in a house that already owned a library of its own.

Hermione moved further inside the room and stood by the window, she turned around and sat on the seat by it. She looked tired, just like him, the circles under their eyes betraying the lack of sleep they both suffered, they looked drained and sad, worried and frustrated. Harry wasn't sure how to start so he just moved closer to her and when she stiffened at the closure, he knelt down before her and took her hand in his, tracing his finger against the back of her palm.

'Listen, Hermione… I know last night was uncalled for and I'm at fault but I honestly didn't think that-'

'That I would finally be insulted and show it because of a Weasley?' Hermione interrupted and Harry knew he would first have to let her vent and then try his best. 'You thought I would be amused like you were with my simple question over your feelings about a woman who acted as good as married to you before me and the rest of London?' Hermione asked again and her tone was biting. 'You thought that I would tolerate once again or for now your own tolerance to people who do nothing else but doubt and humiliate me? First Ronald and his mocking ways, then their mother and last night the married daughter… I know our wedding will be all a fraud and nothing more but I expected the presentences not to be harmed…' Hermione said and Harry felt a stab of pain in his heart, she closing up.

'If you had feelings for her, first you should have told me so I could know and second you could wait a little longer to run behind her until we were away in Wales. I won't tolerate this even if the breaking of our engagement means the final ruining of my reputation and the chances of finding anyone to marry me at all.' Hermione finally finished and Harry was left for the second time in minutes to stare at someone, only this time his heart was shattering, she wanted to break the engagement? Had he hurt her that much?

'Please listen to me.' Harry begged and Hermione sighed but nodded. In all honesty, she wanted to hear his side of the story even if she was worried he would just fog her mind with his excuses. She had set up her mind during the night, that decision of marrying him was wrong and all these insecurities for all this time had been proven right, she should have known better, of course he would love someone else but needed her. Last night's events had been clear for her.

'I'm listening,' she finally said and Harry sighed tightened his hands around hers.

'In our engagement party, I acted like I used to act around the Weasleys, Molly especially because this is how she acts around people, her children, everyone, I know it sounds awful but she does and after years I have gotten used to just brush off her words and not think about them too much. Also, in the engagement party, I had told you that if you wished I would tell you about Ginerva and you said no because you said you trusted me… I should have insisted on telling you however because I never thought that Ginerva would act thus before both of us and her husband…' Harry started and Hermione sighed and nodded at his words, indeed, during their party he had offered to explain everything, why hadn't he just said something back then? He really didn't know Ginerva and her ways?

'When I was sixteen and she was fifteen, I had a crush on her, a childish crush on someone while my life was on the line because of Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters. It was nothing serious and ended when I had to go to the Horcrux Hunt a few weeks after I had shown her my affection… When I returned in Hogwarts and had the battle my mind was on finishing the war and if I survived, I would be trying to fix my life again. But Ginerva was already out of my head when I was leaving for the Horcrux Hunt. I had realized it was just a distraction, and so Molly realized so and had her married with Malfoy. When I learnt about it, my pride was a bit wounded because she always showed signs of devotion but her devotion went as far as her marriage allowed her to live a rich life… everyone returned to someone and I returned to a deadline for a marriage if I wished to have money to spend the rest of my life in comfort after saving the community. However, even if married with a wealthy man, Ginerva couldn't get over her issues about me, one moment she is content and away with her husband, the next she tries to compromise herself with me… but Hermione, I swear, my interest in her was finished when I left for the Hunt so many years ago… Ever since, I'm just trying not to insult her because I know her mother tried really hard for her to get married to someone like Draco Malfoy.

'When you asked me if I had feelings for her, I found it funny because I thought that after the weeks we have spent together, and the fact that she was pregnant with another man's child, were enough to show you that I care for you and only… I had spoken with Molly the day after our party and I spoke with her today as well, like I did with Mr. Weasley, Ron and your parents. I only care about you and if you wish to break our engagement, be certain that you're not ruining only your reputation but my feelings for you as well… you still have my heart and you're crushing it in your heart carelessly…' Harry finally said and Hermione was left to look at him with tears in her eyes.

One moment she was ready to break everything, the next he was mending everything back together and she was confused, she didn't want to admit she might had overreacted or had been unfair when he had begged last night to be heard, she didn't want to admit that she had hoped for him to put everything straight and give her a good explanation, because this was a good explanation. She had seen Ginerva and how obsessed she had been with him, she had seen how she acted even when pregnant with Malfoy's child, and she remembered how easily he had offered a clear explanation from the beginning over his past with the current Malfoy Mistress.

He was sincere, she could see that in his eyes and the fact of him talking so openly for how quickly she wanted to destroy their engagement made her feel guilty. They both looked deep into each other's eyes and finally sighed.

'I'm sorry…' they whispered in unison and gave small smiles at each other before Harry could stand up and hug her tightly, her own arms wrapped around him and she hid her face in his neck. She didn't want to doubt him, she didn't want to get hurt or hurt him, she knew there would be a rocky road for them to learn each other and the people around them and she knew there would be women who desired him but he was so clear and honest with her, and even if she had doubted his words, she shouldn't have doubted his touch, his kisses and his eyes…

'I'm insecure and scared and not used to this…' Hermione confessed and Harry sighed and cupped her face in his palms, kissing her temple. 'I need your help when I feel like stepping back…' she whispered as they looked at each other, his eyes so intense with the sideburns framing his face and his pale skin. 'And I need you to be honest with me, even if you think something is silly, for my stupid head it might be not… so I need your help…' she whispered again and tears filled her eyes again, he hugged her once more and held her against him.

'I understand, I'm sorry. I will do my best to take nothing for granted from now on.' Harry whispered and Hermione nodded her head against him.

'You promise?' she asked and he smiled.

'I promise in my feelings for you… I won't let you down again, just have little faith in me and let me explain myself the next time, alright?' he asked and she smiled and nodded.

'I promise…' she finally said before he could lift her chin and give her a small peck on the lips, sealing their promises in the sweetest way…

I hope you liked it... we'll soon be getting in Wales and we'll have some action there... and some drama... and some... ahem enough! what u think of it? out babies are back on track! i hope you liked it! please review and tell me if you tink you'll liked it, they're learning each other and they need time so... give them time ;)

thanks for reading!

CP09