Chapter 7 : Slip of the tongue
Harry lay back in bed starring dumbly at the low ceiling of the burrow. Ron snored loudly in the bed next to his. He was greatfull The Fred, George and Angelina had arrived to keep vigil at the hospital. Now that he was back in the safety of the burrow the intense sorrow that had taken hold of him had ebbed and he could think more clearly. Unfortunately sleep would not come.
Clumsily he stood, his bare feet freezing on the floor. Taking care not to disturb Ron he grabbed a sweater and padded out of the room. The burrow was silent and peaceful as Harry headed toward the kitchen; he was surprised to see a dim light glowing inside. His heart sank to his knees, thousands of what ifs flashed through his mind. Silently he creeped towards the door and peaked around the corner.
Hermione sat perched on the counter gazing pensively out the window. It was Harry's sigh of relief that alerted her to his presence. "Oh Harry, it's only you...."
"Thanks Hermione."
She rolled her eyes at him "you know what I meant." Lithely hopped off the counter. ""How are you feeling?"
"Better." Harry sat down at the table Hermione joined him "I just don't understand what happened...it was like...." He paused and glanced out the window, searching "it was like old magic. DO you understand what I'm getting at?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Sort of. Like Asha you mean."
He shook his head. "Maybe...I'm not entirely clear on what Asha is.
"She is- was... well it's kind of like...Don't you read Harry?" Hermione asked him exasperated.
"That isn't really an explanation is it?"
"Look, it's complex." She looked down at the floor. "I think I have a book about it, I'll lend it to you." Harry groaned, Hermione chuckled and playfully slapped him upside the head. "You should read up on Asha, it's you heritage."
"More of my history that I have no clue about?" Harry asked slightly annoyed with his own ignorance.
Hermione shook her head. " No, not really. It's all of our history; it is the beginnings of magic. It's where we came from, where we got our gifts. But not everyone is sure that it's true."
Harry observed her, the way her hair glistened in the moonlight, how her eyes shimmered, and the lines around her mouth. "How did you get so smart?"
She smiled wryly. "If I didn't have brains, what on earth would I have to offer?"
Harry leaned forward. "Plenty." With out warning he leaned forward and kissed her. What the hell am I doing? Was the first thought that came to both of their minds. But it only lasted a split second in Harry's mind soon it slipped away and he was surprised at how natural it felt to be with Hermione.
"Well it's getting rather cozy down here isn't it?" Hermiones Heart stopped as she and Harry turned to face Ron glaring at them angrily from the kitchen door.
"Oh my..."
"I'll say" he hissed angrily. "Just what was going on here?"
Hermione jumped to her feet. "Ron it's not what it looks like."
"And just what does it look like?"
Desperately Hermione glanced at Harry for support. But he just sat there staring dumbly at Ron.
"How could you do this Harry?" Ron fought back the urge to punch his friend. Then turning to Hermione "And you... I thought better of you Hermione...maybe I misunderstood you."
"Ron please-"
Ron shook his head. "Don't bother, it's all become very clear to me." He turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.
"What were you doing? Have you lost your mind?" Hermione shook Harry gruffly by the shoulders. "What is the matter with you?"
Harry seemed to revive himself a little. For a moment he sat silently as Hermione waited for an answer. " I don't know Hermione. I just...and you were...didn't you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks.
"When we kissed-"
"You kissed me don't forget it."
"Does it really matter?" Harry stood and crossed over to were she stood. "All I know is that while it was happening it felt right. It felt real. Hermione.... I-"
"Stop Harry." She raised a hand to silence him " Stop right there, before you say something both of us will regret later. I don't know what you feel. I didn't feel it."
"You lie."
Hermione sighed. " No Harry. You are my friend. My best friend, that's all, nothing more."
He blinked " I'm so sorry Hermione, I don't know what came over me...It was just...'
"Don't explain it to me, explain it to Ron"
Harry nodded and started to head toward the door. Suddenly he turned. " You would you mind not mentioning this to Krum? He's a big guy...and well you know."
Hermione managed a small smile. "No, I won't tell him. I love Ron; I don't want to lose him."
Harry's eyes widened, "You mean Krum"
"What?"
"You meant to say that you love Krum."
Hermione stared "of coarse, yes that what I meant. I love Krum, not Ron, Krum..."
"Yeah that's what I thought." Harry turned and slipped silently out of the Kitchen.