Title: Beyond Friendship

Chapter Eight:

Authors: Jaycee and Marga

Note:

Hey guys! It's me Jaycee, and I'm the one who wrote this chapter. Thank you to everyone who reviewed – wow!!! We already reached the 100-review mark!!! WOO HOO!!! You don't know how happy you guys made us… and it is so obvious that you guys liked Marga's chapter! Yeah baby! That was a great chapter huh?

So anyway, here is chapter eight. And we are so sorry for not updating immediately. We were both pretty busy and we didn't get the chance to update, and besides, I had a little case of writer's block, but at least I finally got the eight chapter out of my brain – yay! We really hope that everyone will like this installment – this is where all the drama is that we told you all before. And… this is where the very first, and very shippery Harry/Hermione scene comes in – BUT I'm not going to say anything because you have to read it for yourself, k?

Oh yeah – well, while I was getting over my writer's block, another H/Hr idea popped into my head and it wouldn't leave me alone so I decided to go on and write it. Its title is "Intoxicated", and I would really appreciate it if everyone here would read it. Its not a joint project – I wrote it all by myself, (hehe – I'm proud!) coz Marga is pretty busy with school and her anime Fanfics. Please read it and don't forget to review!

So, that's where I end this note. Sorry that it got too long. Thank you again to everyone who reviewed, please don't think that just because we didn't thank you directly, we don't appreciate it – we do – we really, totally appreciate it! We just don't want to sound too redundant you know?  I already think we sound redundant already. LOL.

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Harry tittered on his broomstick for a while, a look of horror on his face. He saw Krum lying down on the ground, his right hand holding his left arm, while his legs was stretched under him in a contorted position. The broom that the player was using before was lying on the ground beside him, broken in two. Viktor was grimacing in so much pain that Harry began to think if it was possible that the Quidditch player would cry.

Fear gripped his heart as he slowly flew down to the ground. Jumping off his broom, he ran towards Krum, who was lying against Hermione's arms.

"I am so sorry." Harry said in a nervous tone of voice. "I didn't know what I was thinking and…" His eyes darted from the fallen form of Viktor and to Hermione, who refused to look at him.

Viktor started shaking his head. "Its okay Harry. No harm done. At leest, none that I haven't vent through vefore." He told him.

Harry risked taking another look at Hermione and what he saw there made his heart stop. Her brown eyes were filled with such anger that he never knew was in her. She stared at him, until he couldn't take it anymore and he was the first one to break away.

"Here's Madam Pomfrey!" Ron called out and the students who were crowding around the fallen player all backed away.

"Is he going to be all right?" Hermione asked tearfully, her hand smoothing Viktor's messy dark hair again and again in a frantic manner.

"Hermy… von't you vorry about me. I am fine." Viktor told her soothingly and looked at Madam Pomfrey for affirmation.

"Oh yes. Mr. Krum's right. Don't you worry, Hermione. He just broke a few bones, nothing that I can't heal." Madam Pomfrey told her in a soothing voice.

Harry wanted to smack himself when he saw tears in Hermione's eyes.

He put those tears there. It's his entire fault.

"I really am sorry." He mumbled. And that's when he turned around and ran.

* * * * * * * *

"Hey."

Harry turned around on his bed and saw Ron, leaning against the door, a slight smile on his face.

"Hey." He greeted back and went back to staring off into space.

"So… I just wanted to tell you that Viktor's all okay now. Madam Pomfrey healed all his broken bones and she said that all he needs is some rest. Hermione's with him right now." Ron informed his best friend, instantly regretting his last sentence when he saw Harry's green eyes spark angrily.

Harry sighed audibly and the two lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Ron then cleared his throat, making Harry look at him.

"What happened back there, Harry? Why did you have to shove Viktor so hard?" Ron asked.

Harry looked at Ron and shook his head. "I don't know Ron. Krum just rammed into me so hard and I guess…. I just want to get back at him. I can't let him get the snitch!" He stopped talking for a while and took a deep breath before continuing.

"He already has Hermione; all he can let me have is the title of best seeker. You understand, don't you?" He asked imploringly.

Ron started shaking his head and Harry sighed once again. "You did it because you were jealous of him. And not because he's a world Quidditch player, but because he has Hermione – because you want Hermione for yourself. Honestly Harry, I know that you love Hermione…"

Harry held up a hand. "Love Hermione? I only discovered a few weeks ago that I like her more than a friend. But love her? I don't think so, Ron." He told his friend firmly.

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "You can deny it all you want Harry. But if you just like her, you wouldn't have done something as tragic as that. You wouldn't have pushed Viktor so hard off of his broom that he broke so many bones all at once."

Harry stood up and started pacing around the dorm in a furious manner. "Ron… I can't be in love with Herm… she's my best friend… she's our best friend… I know I like her… but…" He stopped talking and looked at his friend. "I have to talk to her." He decided suddenly.

"I don't think you should Harry. Hermione's in a bad state right now – and I don't think she's quite keen about seeing anyone, especially you." Ron informed his best friend.

Harry shook his head. "No. I have to talk to her. I just have to!" And with that he exited the room, amidst Ron protests.

* * * * * * * * *

Harry found her sitting on one of the big armchairs in the now empty Gryffindor common room. She was facing the fireplace, as if deep in thought.

Harry took a deep breath and slowly approached his friend. He placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and to his surprise; he found out that she was shaking.

"Hermione…" Harry whispered nervously.

Hermione slowly stood up and turned around to face him. What he saw made his already queasy stomach become queasier. She was crying, and when she saw who he was, her brown eyes flashed with anger. "You!" She said accusingly. She wiped her face dry with the backs of her hands.

"Yeah… its me…" Harry agreed nervously.

"You! Its all your fault!" She said in a loud voice, stepping closer to him.

Harry stared at her, backing away from her slowly. He's never seen her this angry before.

"You pushed Viktor off his broom – intentionally! I saw it! I knew right from the start that that challenge was no good! But did any of you two listen to me? Nooo…. Neither you nor Viktor had half a brain to listen to me… and now! Look at what happened! Viktor's injured and I don't know what to think of you anymore…" Hermione stopped her ranting, her breathing labored.

As Harry looked at her, bracing himself for more words, hurtful words that he knew he deserves, tears suddenly sprung back to her eyes as she sunk back down onto the chair.

Harry felt guiltier than he has ever been. And he deserved to feel that guilt. This is his entire fault. He kneeled in front of her and tried to pry Hermione's hands away from her face.

But Hermione just shook her head and continued to cry.

"Please Herm… I am so sorry… please don't cry anymore… I am really sorry…" Harry pleaded as he continued to kneel in front of her.

Then to his delight, Hermione lifted her head from her hands, and looked straight into Harry's eyes. "You're sorry?" She asked in a small voice.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yes I am, Herm. I really am." He said earnestly.

Hermione stared at him for a moment and then to his absolute surprise, she pushed him by the shoulders – making him fall hard on his behind on the floor.

"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed in surprise as he stood up.

"Oh sod off Harry! Sorry isn't going to make everything better. You pushed Viktor off his broom – something that I never thought I'd see the day that you would do. You intentionally wanted to hurt someone who never lifted a bloody finger to hurt you! How could you do something like that?" Hermione asked in a near hysterical voice, the tears coming out of her eyes like it has no end.

Harry just sat there, trying to come to terms on everything that Hermione is saying. He knows that what he did was wrong – and he was sorry for that. But she didn't have to berate him on it any further. He knew what he did and he would appreciate it if she would just shut up about it. And honestly, he was getting angrier by the second.

He looked at Hermione and opened his mouth to defend his side, but she beat him to it.

"You know that I care for him Harry. And seeing Viktor fall down from the sky and breaking so many bones like that… it scared me. I had enough of that kind of fear with you and Ron. Was it a pride thing? Did you want to prove to everyone that you're the best Quidditch player there is? Well congratulations Harry Potter… you just got your wish. I just hope that you're happy with what you did to get that title." Hermione took a deep breath and turned away from him.

Harry stared at Hermione's retreating back, just when he was sure that She was about to enter the Girls' Dormitory, she stopped and turned around. Hermione sighed audibly as if in defeat. "I just thought that… I thought you cared about me Harry… I thought that you cared enough about me to not do anything like that against Viktor… but I guess I was wrong." She finished in a small voice.

Hermione turned back towards the door of the dorm when she heard Harry laughing. But this wasn't a laughter of happiness. This was a mirthless laugh – something that she never heard him do before.

"You honestly think that I did this because I don't care for you, huh Hermione?" Harry asked in a sarcastic tone of voice.

Hermione looked at her friend, and saw his green eyes glinting angrily. She opened her mouth to say something but Harry held up a hand to stop her. "Its my turn to talk now, Hermione Granger, and whether you like it or not, you are going to listen."

Hermione nodded her reluctant agreement and gestured for him to start talking.

"I care for you a lot Hermione. You know that you're my friend… heck! You're one of my best friends! Why wouldn't I care for you? And I know, I know – I screwed up earlier but that doesn't mean that I did that because I don't care about you." Harry was about to continue but Hermione again beat him to it.

"You care about me? Ha! You certainly have a weird way of showing it!" Hermione said sarcastically.

"Oh shut your lid Hermione and let me talk!" Harry ordered her loudly, completely irritated at everything right now, including Hermione.

Hermione's face crumpled and Harry immediately regretted his words. "I'm sorry 'Mione…" He whispered.

Hermione just shook her head. "Just continue with what you were saying… God knows I want to know what your explanation is." She mumbled.

Harry nodded. "I really don't know what happened. I don't know how it started… how it even got there. All I know is, one mention of you being with Viktor, it got to me. I snapped! I don't know what happened… all I know is that I suddenly have all of these feelings for you that I can't even begin to understand. In our fourth year, I didn't care what the others said. They could announce to the whole wide world that you're my girlfriend and I wouldn't have cared because I know that it isn't true. But now…" He stopped talking as he saw the confused look on Hermione's face.

"What are you saying Harry?" Hermione asked.

"God Herm! For a supposedly intelligent girl, you are the densest person I have ever met!" Harry exclaimed.

Hermione flinched at that and pursed her lips. Something in her mind was telling her that she knew what Harry was saying but she decided not to say anything in case she was wrong, and the fact that what she thinks he's saying is scaring her. "Just spit it out! What are you saying Harry?" She asked again.

Harry looked at her and not knowing anymore how to explain his feelings to her, he closed the gap between the two of them. "This is what I mean." And with that he grabbed her face and kissed her squarely on the lips.

Hermione was so shocked at what Harry did that at first she didn't know how to react. But when her brain clicked in, she started to push him away; she tried to squirm out of his grasp.

But Harry was adamant. He placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

Hermione hands on his chest softened its grip as his kiss deepened. So instead of pushing him away, her arms went around his neck and pulled him closer.

As soon as Hermione responded to his advances, his embrace softened and their kiss intensified.

For what seemed like an eternity, Harry finally released her; both looking as shocked as the other at what just took place.

He backed away slowly, his mind reeling from the most explosive kiss that he has ever experienced. Well, considering that this is his very first kiss… its not like he can compare it to any other kiss that he's supposed to have experienced before.

"Harry…" Hermione said breathlessly, not knowing what to think anymore as she lifted a hand and placed it against her mouth, as if feeling if the kiss really took place.

"I… I'm sorry Hermione." And with that, Harry turned around and ran all the way to his dorm room, leaving Hermione staring at the spot where he once stood, her hand still on her mouth.

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…. So…. Did I leave you guys hanging? Huh? Huh? What do you think of the ending of this chapter? Is it too much?  Please tell us what you think, k?

Oh yeah – we've got reviews telling us that we're writing Harry in quite a different way. Well, that's how we want it – a bit out of the character – and they're especially out of character in this chapter, right? Well, just think of our story as something like an alternative universe thing, okay? And again, thanks for all the support!