Harry walked into the kitchen of their apartment, half asleep. He fumbled over to the coffee maker, pouring himself a cup and sitting down before he realized that there was someone else already in the room.
"Morning," Harry mumbled.
"Good morning!" Hermione said perkily. She drummed her fingers on the table rapidly.
"How'd you sleep?" he asked, lousily trying to make conversation. He was a lousy talker before he had his morning coffee.
"Ok. You?"
Harry grinned. "I need a few more hours, but I'll manage." He glanced at her. "When did you wake up?"
"I've been up for about an hour," Hermione smiled. She continued to drum her fingernails and made her fingers fidget nervously.
Harry took her hand in his. "Stop it," he scolded. He frowned. "You're shaking!"
Hermione shook her head. "I've had seven cups of coffee. I'd be surprised if I wasn't shaking."
Harry's mouth dropped open. "Seven cups! You must be about to go through the roof!"
"Yep. I couldn't sleep very well last night, so now I need coffee." Hermione yawned.
"You were sleeping when you got home last night."
Hermione smiled a little. "I woke up not long after with a nightmare, and I couldn't go back to sleep."
"What was your nightmare about?" Harry asked.
"It was my wedding. I was walking down the aisle, and when I got to the alter David turned around to face me. Except it wasn't him. It was a basilisk. I looked at it through my veil and was petrified." She shuddered.
"Maybe it's a sign," Harry suggested.
Hermione laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. "I don't believe in Divination. You know that, silly."
Harry forced a smile. I wasn't joking, he thought. "Did you talk to him?"
"Who? Oh, David? Yeah, I called him at about three this morning. He wasn't very happy about that, mind you. His flight got in yesterday, and he's in London most of today, so you and me and Ron and him are all going to lunch." She looked at Harry. "If that's all right with you?"
"It's fine," Harry agreed, although the last thing he wanted in the world was to meet David.
"I think I'll ask Ginny too; I want her to be maid of honor. And maybe Maggie too, although I'm not as close to her as I am to you guys."
Harry nodded. "That's good," he said lamely. "When are you getting married?" He wished for the farthest away date possible.
"As soon as possible. I want a spring wedding, and it's late April now, so most likely sometime in May." Hermione said. "Are you really ok with this?"
"Oh, yeah, of course!" Harry lied. "It's just quite a shock. It's so sudden."
Hermione smiled. "A bit, a bit."
Just then Maggie walked into the kitchen, fully dressed. "Hello, everyone!" she said.
"Someone's in a good mood," Harry mumbled.
Maggie smiled. "Hermione, congratulations! Ron told me the news last night."
Hermione smiled softly and Harry felt sickened. "Thanks. Hey, I have to unpack, will you come and help me?"
"Just a minute hon, I have to get some coffee. I'll be right there," she said. Hermione smiled and left the room. Maggie turned to Harry. "How're you doing?"
Harry put his head on the table. "Not well."
"Ron told me about, uh, your feelings for Hermione. I'm so sorry," Maggie said. Harry just nodded, feeling so sorry for himself that he was finding it hard to breathe. "I'm going to go now. I'll talk to her about it, ok?"
"Ok," Harry croaked. Maggie hugged him quickly and walked off. He hung his head. Twenty four hours ago, Harry had felt on top of the world; now he felt he had crashed into a bottomless pit. What happened? He asked himself. Oh god, what happened?
***
"Hey," Maggie said as she stood in Hermione's doorway.
"Hey!" Hermione greeted her. "Come in and put these away," she said, handing Maggie three shirts.
"What happened? This is so sudden!" Maggie commented.
Hermione looked up from her packing. "Just get right to it, why don't you." She grinned.
"Sorry," Maggie apologized. "I'm just curious. I just remember the first words of warning Ginny said when I moved in here."
"Which were?"
"Ginny said, and I quote, 'Hermione is madly in love with Harry Potter, so hands off!'" Maggie looked at Hermione. "What happened? Are you…"
"Hell no! Of course not!" Hermione cried. "And about Harry…"
"Uh huh…" Maggie said, urging her forward.
"I was just so tired of being in love with someone who didn't love me back."
"How do you know that he didn't?"
Hermione snorted. "Of course he didn't! He's, I dunno, the famous hero that every witch in our generation has had their eye on. He could go out with anyone; he's so handsome." Hermione chuckled. "Tall, dark, and handsome, just my luck."
"Don't put yourself down, you're very pretty, and you have the nicest personality."
"That's a nice thing to say, but please don't flatter me," Hermione sighed.
"It's true."
Hermione laughed. "Uh, huh, right. Well, I'm very happy with David."
"Do you think you're rushing? You're only twenty two." Maggie asked cautiously.
"Not really. I love him, I think he loves me, and we want to get married." Hermione opened her closet. "Everything has changed so much."
"Don't try and change the subject!" Maggie cried. "I want to hear more about you and Harry!"
"What's to tell?" Hermione questioned. "It was the classic case of unrequited love."
"Tell me about it," Maggie said softly. "It'll help you if you tell me about it."
Hermione sighed. "I started liking him at the end of our third year at Hogwarts, and it just progressed from there. Look, Maggie, it's over now. Just forget about it!"
"Have you gotten over him?" Maggie asked.
"Yes!" Hermione snapped.
"Bite me," Maggie said, drawing back. "I was just curious."
"Sorry. It's just…"
"A sensitive subject?" Maggie finished. Hermione nodded. "I understand."
"Good. Hey, Maggie, we're going out to lunch today with David. Do you want to come?"
Maggie shook her head. "Sorry, I have plans."
"Oh, do tell!" Hermione said. "A date maybe…."
She laughed. "More like picking up my parents at the airport. They're muggles, you know."
"Oh, they're staying here?"
"Yeah. They're going to have my room and I'm going to sleep on the couch."
"Nonsense!" Hermione cried. "You can stay in my room."
"I wouldn't want to impose…"
"You wouldn't me. Please, it'll be like a sleep-over. And that couch is dreadful, I know. Harry, Ron, and I bought it at a garage sale and just refurbished it. The cushions are at least sixty years old." Hermione argued.
"Well, If you insist."
"Which I do."
Maggie turned to leave. "I've got to get ready. Thanks for everything."
Hermione smiled. "It's nothing."
***
Harry played with his tie. "Why am I doing this again?"
Ron sighed. "Because you want to support Hermione's decision."
"But I don't support it. I don't want her to get married!"
"Look, Harry, you have to meet this guy."
Harry sighed. "I know, I know."
The doorbell rang, and Ron walked over to answer it. Ginny Weasley stood at the door. She had grown up to a tall 5'7" and had long fiery red hair. She was wearing a short skirt and a ¾ length blouse. She also was carrying three suitcases.
"Hey, sis!" Ron said as he hugged her. "What're the suitcases for?"
"Uh, I was hoping to stay here for a few days."
"Why? What happened to Oliver? I thought you two were so in love…" Ron mocked.
"Shut up. He was too old for me," Ginny admitted.
"Who was right about him, huh? Who predicted that this would be over long ago…"
"Please shut up Ron. Hey Harry!" she waved at Harry on the couch.
"Hey," Harry greeted.
"Are you excited about Hermione's wedding?" Ginny asked.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Bad question, Ginny," Ron scolded.
"What?" Ginny inquired. "What did I say?"
Ron grabbed Ginny's arm. "We'll discuss it in the kitchen," he said as he yanked her away into their little kitchen.
Harry sighed and leaned back against the couch. He heard Hermione coming down the hallway. He turned to glance at her.
"You look nice," he mumbled. Nice was an understatement. She looked beautiful, wearing a knee-length, spaghetti strap sundress with her hair up in a messy bun.
"I'm sure I don't. You look very handsome," she smiled. "You don't need the tie, it's only lunch." Harry ripped the tie off without complaint. "Is Ginny here yet?"
Harry nodded. "She's in the kitchen with Ron."
Hermione sat down next to Harry. "What are they doing in the kitchen?"
"Ginny mentioned something about staying with us for a few days."
"Why?"
"She broke up with Oliver."
"Good, he was too demanding for her. And too uptight. It would have been like marrying Percy," Hermione smiled.
They sat in silence for a minute. "Are you scared?" Harry asked.
"About what?" Hermione whispered.
"Getting married."
"Oh, I guess, it's normal, a little bit, not really, uh, well, yeah, I guess…"
Harry grabbed her hand. "Sweetheart," he began. He turned and looked into her eyes and was startled by the electricity between them; once their eyes locked, neither could look away.
They were so close. I could kiss her, Harry thought. I could kiss her and she could kiss me back and all this would be over. But she could also slap me and our friendship would be ruined.
"Hermione," he started again, but he could not finish his sentence. Her brown eyes were burning into his green, making his brain stop functioning. The only thing he could think about was how much he loved her, how much he wanted and needed her.
"Harry," she whispered. "uh…." She couldn't get out her thought either. Just shut up and kiss me, Harry thought. He tried to tell her that telepathically, then almost laughed at his useless efforts. She's so beautiful.
"Are we going or not?" Ginny asked loudly as she came out of the kitchen, ruining the moment. Both Harry and Hermione turned to her.
"Oh, yes. We need to go. David's going to meet us at the club at one," Hermione said.
"The club?" Ron questioned.
"The Cabana Club," Hermione answered.
"The Cabana Club? You mean that really expensive place downtown? We're going there?" Ginny squealed. Hermione nodded.
"We'd better get going then!" Ginny said and rushed everyone out the door.
***
The Cabana Club was a very swanky place, with waiters in penguin suits and a fountain in the waiting area, that just reeked of money.
"Hermione's David must be pretty rich if he can afford this," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Obviously."
Hermione sat down on the lush, emerald green couch in the middle of the room. "Where is he?" she whined.
"I'm sure he's on his way," Ginny said sweetly. "It's two minutes 'til; he's still got a while."
Harry felt his stomach knot up. He watched Hermione sit with her face in her hands, obviously nervous. He just wanted to sit next to her and hold her, to tell her that everything would be all right because he loved her.
"Hermione, darling!" came a voice from across the room. The quartet turned to face David. Harry's first reaction was jealousy. David had perfectly in place golden hair, was very handsome, and had a golden tan that mirrored Hermione's. He was wearing a very expensive suit, most likely Armani or Versace or something horribly expensive like that. Harry had a knack for determining how old people were, and he pinned David for about twenty-eight.
"David!" Hermione cried with relief. She walked over to him and took his hand. "Everyone, this is David Mercenary. David, these are my two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, and Ron's sister Ginny."
"Pleased to meet you," David said politely. "Why don't we get a table."
"We were waiting on you, darling," Hermione explained.
The five sat down at a table near a window. "How was your flight?" David asked Hermione.
"Fine."
"How did you two meet?" Ginny asked. "I'm dying to know."
"Well, it's a very long story, I wouldn't want to bore you…." David began.
"We won't be bored. Do tell," insisted Ginny.
"Well, Hermione was working in the rain forest on an expedition, as you know. I was there on business; I'm a banker, and I work a lot with wizards as yourselves. I was there working on the new exchange rate."
"David owns a large share of Barbadensis, the muggle bank that works with Gringotts. Gringotts gets its muggle money from Barbadensis," Hermione told them.
"Barbadensis is my father's company. It has been in our family for generations."
"How interesting," Ginny said, looking very involved.
"Hermione came in one day in need of a money exchange. It was during most of the teller's lunches. I was supposed to turn away anyone who comes, but how could I say no to such a pretty witch?" David smiled at Hermione, who blushed.
"And that's the entire story," Hermione said.
"Ginny, darling," David said. "What do you do for a living?"
"I'm reporter for the Daily Prophet."
"Really! A reporter! I always wanted to be a reporter!" David exclaimed.
As Ginny and David chatted about reporting and whatnot, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron. "What do you think?" she asked.
"He's…" Harry started.
"Nice." Ron finished.
"Well dressed."
"Handsome."
"Polite."
Hermione sighed. "Will you guys at least try to like him?"
Ron looked hurt. "Who said we don't?"
"It's pretty obvious. You two are as clear as glass; you're so easy to see through," Hermione hissed.
"He's just so…" Ron paused.
"Perfect."
"Rich."
"Well dressed."
"Polite."
"Handsome."
Hermione sighed, but managed to crack a grin. "What will I do without you two?" she muttered.
"Hermione darling, I believe our food is here," David stated. Harry started to eat, but he couldn't take his eyes off Hermione. She was so cute when she ate, cutting her chicken and vegetables into little tiny pieces.
"When are you having the wedding?" Ginny asked.
"May tenth," David stated. Hermione looked up in surprise.
"Why May tenth?" Hermione asked.
"It was the only day would get the church. I've already requested invitations, so it's not really changeable," David told her. Hermione just nodded and looked down at her food.
"I thought the bride's parents paid for the wedding," Ginny said.
"The Grangers, while a very well off family, cannot afford the type of wedding I am esteemed of having," David answered.
"Esteemed of having," Harry mumbled under his breath.
David looked at Hermione eat in silence. "Darling, I think you might want to stop," he said, pointing to her plate.
"She's hardly made a dent in her meal!" Ron exclaimed.
David patted Hermione's back. "I can't very well marry a whale, now can I?" She flinched at his touch. He removed his hand. "Don't do this, love."
"Do what?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Oh, never mind." David said, then turned to chat with Ginny again. Hermione stared out the window.
"Hermione," Harry whispered, taking her hand under the table. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," she said in a monotone voice, not breaking her gaze from the window.
"Look at me," Harry said. Hermione turned to face him. He saw the pain in her eyes. "You're not ok, are you?"
"I'm fine!" she snapped, jerking her hand away from his. David and Ginny looked at her.
"What's wrong?" David asked.
"Absolutely nothing!" Hermione cried. "I'm fine!"
David shrugged. "If you're sure…. Ginny, what was your eldest brother's name? He sounds like quite a guy…" David turned back to Ginny. Ginny shot Ron and Harry a look of desperation; she did not want to carry this conversation all by herself.
"Excuse me," Hermione said, standing up. "I'm going to the restroom," she said. "If anyone cares," she murmured. She didn't realize that Harry heard her.
Ginny watched her leave. "Why don't I go and see what's wrong."
"Good idea," Harry said. Ginny stood up and walked in the direction that Hermione went in. David turned around and faced Harry and Ron.
"So," David said.
"Uh, it's quite some weather we're having, isn't it?" Ron asked.
"Um, yes, it is quite warm for this time of the year," David answered lamely.
Harry sighed. This was going to be a LONG afternoon.
***
Harry sat down on his bed. "What are we going to do?" he asked Ron and Ginny.
Ginny sighed. "I don't know. I didn't like him."
Ron snorted. "What was there to like?"
"Hermione obviously does see something in him," Ginny argued.
"What?"
"I don't know!" Ginny cried. "He's smart, handsome, wealthy."
"And snobby as hell," Harry sighed. "I don't think she loves him."
"And how would you know this?" Ginny asked.
"She didn't even kiss or hug him hello, and they hadn't seen each other in a while. And you should have seen her after he made that comment about her weight. She was like a statue."
"No wonder she's so thin!" Ron cried. "The jackass!"
"He hit on me the entire time!" Ginny screamed. "He kept on saying how pretty I was, and how amazing it was I didn't have a boyfriend." Ginny paused. "Actually, I HAD one until today, but let's not get into that."
"She didn't even defend herself when he put her down," Harry said, shaking his head.
Ron ran his fingers through his hair. "Hermione has never been big on self-confidence."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember at school, when someone would tease her, call her a know-it-all? She wouldn't defend herself, and would just start crying."
"I thought she got better at that," Harry sighed.
"Well, the whole thing with you probably hurt her a lot," Ginny said.
"What thing with me?" Harry asked.
Ginny looked around. "I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but you need to know."
"What is it?" Harry inquired, interested.
"Hermione really had a crush on you when we were younger."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah, it was always Harry this and Harry that. I finally confronted her about it one day and she admitted that she liked you," Ginny told him.
"Oh god," Ron mumbled.
"I wasn't going to tell you, because I thought it would hurt you more," Ginny explained.
"Why?"
"Harry, are you blind! Hermione was madly in love with you up until a year ago when she left!" Ginny cried.
Harry stood still, stunned. Why hadn't he taken a chance with her? I'm so stupid, he thought. "Why didn't I take a chance?" he mumbled.
"It's not your fault," Ginny said softly.
"Yes it is!"
Ginny shrugged. "I guess it is. She would have never told you how you felt for fear of rejection, so it was up to you."
"Oh, great. This is all my goddamn fault, right?" he asked. "Right?"
"She didn't say that, Harry," Ron said.
"Whatever. We just need to stop this wedding."
"How?" Ginny asked.
Harry got an idea. "How about sabotage?" he said with a wicked grin.
"How would you do that?" Ginny snapped.
"I don't know how, but I know who to ask," Harry said, his grin getting wider. Ron suddenly understood and grinned too.
"WHO?" Ginny screamed. "Who in the hell would sabotage a wedding?"
"Fred and George," Ron answered.
"Oh." Ginny looked at them, and then started smiling. "Let's see, I guess we'll have to go to Hogsmeade for supplies, correct?"
"If they agree too," Harry pointed out.
"Oh, they will agree. Don't worry about it. They will."
***
Hermione sat on the couch in the living room. I'm so pathetic, she thought. I actually have someone who is in love with me, and I almost blow it. Good god, I'm pathetic. She touched her stomach and grimaced. David's right, I am a whale.
"Hey," Harry said, sitting down next to her. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Hermione said.
"Hermione, I heard what you said," Harry said, holding her hand.
"What did I say?"
"What you said about no one caring," Harry said. Hermione sat for silence for a minute. Harry reached out and stroked her hair.
"I'm sorry about today. I don't know what I was thinking when I said that. It was most likely all the coffee I had this morning. After having my coffee high, I had my coffee low." She caught Harry looking at her. "What is it?"
"I care about you," Harry said softly. He lightly touched her cheek. Hermione looked up at him. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's ok," he said, resting his chin on her head and putting his arms around her. "It's ok," he repeated.
"I know," she mumbled against his shirt. He felt her shaking softly and tightened his grip on her. He kissed the top of her head.
"It's ok," he said once more. He lightly stroked her hair, and felt her breathing slow against his chest. "I love you," he whispered. No answer. He lifted her head lightly and saw that she was asleep. He looked down and saw that his shirt was soaked with her tears. He held her closer and let her nestle against him, before he fell asleep too.
A/N: Hey! This story will have two or three more parts. Wow! I actually did this in a week! I think that's my best time ever. Score!
About the story line: this is a coming of age story for both Harry and especially Hermione. I know she seems a bit, well, weak now, and I apologize. I'm a major feminist, and I wouldn't do this if it wasn't important to the plot.
Please Read and Review!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, The Daily Prophet and Gringotts all belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, and Bloomsbery.
Maggie(Marguerite) Chabert, her parents whom you'll meet in the next part, David Mercenary, and Barbadensis all belong to me! Wicked smack!
"Morning," Harry mumbled.
"Good morning!" Hermione said perkily. She drummed her fingers on the table rapidly.
"How'd you sleep?" he asked, lousily trying to make conversation. He was a lousy talker before he had his morning coffee.
"Ok. You?"
Harry grinned. "I need a few more hours, but I'll manage." He glanced at her. "When did you wake up?"
"I've been up for about an hour," Hermione smiled. She continued to drum her fingernails and made her fingers fidget nervously.
Harry took her hand in his. "Stop it," he scolded. He frowned. "You're shaking!"
Hermione shook her head. "I've had seven cups of coffee. I'd be surprised if I wasn't shaking."
Harry's mouth dropped open. "Seven cups! You must be about to go through the roof!"
"Yep. I couldn't sleep very well last night, so now I need coffee." Hermione yawned.
"You were sleeping when you got home last night."
Hermione smiled a little. "I woke up not long after with a nightmare, and I couldn't go back to sleep."
"What was your nightmare about?" Harry asked.
"It was my wedding. I was walking down the aisle, and when I got to the alter David turned around to face me. Except it wasn't him. It was a basilisk. I looked at it through my veil and was petrified." She shuddered.
"Maybe it's a sign," Harry suggested.
Hermione laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. "I don't believe in Divination. You know that, silly."
Harry forced a smile. I wasn't joking, he thought. "Did you talk to him?"
"Who? Oh, David? Yeah, I called him at about three this morning. He wasn't very happy about that, mind you. His flight got in yesterday, and he's in London most of today, so you and me and Ron and him are all going to lunch." She looked at Harry. "If that's all right with you?"
"It's fine," Harry agreed, although the last thing he wanted in the world was to meet David.
"I think I'll ask Ginny too; I want her to be maid of honor. And maybe Maggie too, although I'm not as close to her as I am to you guys."
Harry nodded. "That's good," he said lamely. "When are you getting married?" He wished for the farthest away date possible.
"As soon as possible. I want a spring wedding, and it's late April now, so most likely sometime in May." Hermione said. "Are you really ok with this?"
"Oh, yeah, of course!" Harry lied. "It's just quite a shock. It's so sudden."
Hermione smiled. "A bit, a bit."
Just then Maggie walked into the kitchen, fully dressed. "Hello, everyone!" she said.
"Someone's in a good mood," Harry mumbled.
Maggie smiled. "Hermione, congratulations! Ron told me the news last night."
Hermione smiled softly and Harry felt sickened. "Thanks. Hey, I have to unpack, will you come and help me?"
"Just a minute hon, I have to get some coffee. I'll be right there," she said. Hermione smiled and left the room. Maggie turned to Harry. "How're you doing?"
Harry put his head on the table. "Not well."
"Ron told me about, uh, your feelings for Hermione. I'm so sorry," Maggie said. Harry just nodded, feeling so sorry for himself that he was finding it hard to breathe. "I'm going to go now. I'll talk to her about it, ok?"
"Ok," Harry croaked. Maggie hugged him quickly and walked off. He hung his head. Twenty four hours ago, Harry had felt on top of the world; now he felt he had crashed into a bottomless pit. What happened? He asked himself. Oh god, what happened?
***
"Hey," Maggie said as she stood in Hermione's doorway.
"Hey!" Hermione greeted her. "Come in and put these away," she said, handing Maggie three shirts.
"What happened? This is so sudden!" Maggie commented.
Hermione looked up from her packing. "Just get right to it, why don't you." She grinned.
"Sorry," Maggie apologized. "I'm just curious. I just remember the first words of warning Ginny said when I moved in here."
"Which were?"
"Ginny said, and I quote, 'Hermione is madly in love with Harry Potter, so hands off!'" Maggie looked at Hermione. "What happened? Are you…"
"Hell no! Of course not!" Hermione cried. "And about Harry…"
"Uh huh…" Maggie said, urging her forward.
"I was just so tired of being in love with someone who didn't love me back."
"How do you know that he didn't?"
Hermione snorted. "Of course he didn't! He's, I dunno, the famous hero that every witch in our generation has had their eye on. He could go out with anyone; he's so handsome." Hermione chuckled. "Tall, dark, and handsome, just my luck."
"Don't put yourself down, you're very pretty, and you have the nicest personality."
"That's a nice thing to say, but please don't flatter me," Hermione sighed.
"It's true."
Hermione laughed. "Uh, huh, right. Well, I'm very happy with David."
"Do you think you're rushing? You're only twenty two." Maggie asked cautiously.
"Not really. I love him, I think he loves me, and we want to get married." Hermione opened her closet. "Everything has changed so much."
"Don't try and change the subject!" Maggie cried. "I want to hear more about you and Harry!"
"What's to tell?" Hermione questioned. "It was the classic case of unrequited love."
"Tell me about it," Maggie said softly. "It'll help you if you tell me about it."
Hermione sighed. "I started liking him at the end of our third year at Hogwarts, and it just progressed from there. Look, Maggie, it's over now. Just forget about it!"
"Have you gotten over him?" Maggie asked.
"Yes!" Hermione snapped.
"Bite me," Maggie said, drawing back. "I was just curious."
"Sorry. It's just…"
"A sensitive subject?" Maggie finished. Hermione nodded. "I understand."
"Good. Hey, Maggie, we're going out to lunch today with David. Do you want to come?"
Maggie shook her head. "Sorry, I have plans."
"Oh, do tell!" Hermione said. "A date maybe…."
She laughed. "More like picking up my parents at the airport. They're muggles, you know."
"Oh, they're staying here?"
"Yeah. They're going to have my room and I'm going to sleep on the couch."
"Nonsense!" Hermione cried. "You can stay in my room."
"I wouldn't want to impose…"
"You wouldn't me. Please, it'll be like a sleep-over. And that couch is dreadful, I know. Harry, Ron, and I bought it at a garage sale and just refurbished it. The cushions are at least sixty years old." Hermione argued.
"Well, If you insist."
"Which I do."
Maggie turned to leave. "I've got to get ready. Thanks for everything."
Hermione smiled. "It's nothing."
***
Harry played with his tie. "Why am I doing this again?"
Ron sighed. "Because you want to support Hermione's decision."
"But I don't support it. I don't want her to get married!"
"Look, Harry, you have to meet this guy."
Harry sighed. "I know, I know."
The doorbell rang, and Ron walked over to answer it. Ginny Weasley stood at the door. She had grown up to a tall 5'7" and had long fiery red hair. She was wearing a short skirt and a ¾ length blouse. She also was carrying three suitcases.
"Hey, sis!" Ron said as he hugged her. "What're the suitcases for?"
"Uh, I was hoping to stay here for a few days."
"Why? What happened to Oliver? I thought you two were so in love…" Ron mocked.
"Shut up. He was too old for me," Ginny admitted.
"Who was right about him, huh? Who predicted that this would be over long ago…"
"Please shut up Ron. Hey Harry!" she waved at Harry on the couch.
"Hey," Harry greeted.
"Are you excited about Hermione's wedding?" Ginny asked.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Bad question, Ginny," Ron scolded.
"What?" Ginny inquired. "What did I say?"
Ron grabbed Ginny's arm. "We'll discuss it in the kitchen," he said as he yanked her away into their little kitchen.
Harry sighed and leaned back against the couch. He heard Hermione coming down the hallway. He turned to glance at her.
"You look nice," he mumbled. Nice was an understatement. She looked beautiful, wearing a knee-length, spaghetti strap sundress with her hair up in a messy bun.
"I'm sure I don't. You look very handsome," she smiled. "You don't need the tie, it's only lunch." Harry ripped the tie off without complaint. "Is Ginny here yet?"
Harry nodded. "She's in the kitchen with Ron."
Hermione sat down next to Harry. "What are they doing in the kitchen?"
"Ginny mentioned something about staying with us for a few days."
"Why?"
"She broke up with Oliver."
"Good, he was too demanding for her. And too uptight. It would have been like marrying Percy," Hermione smiled.
They sat in silence for a minute. "Are you scared?" Harry asked.
"About what?" Hermione whispered.
"Getting married."
"Oh, I guess, it's normal, a little bit, not really, uh, well, yeah, I guess…"
Harry grabbed her hand. "Sweetheart," he began. He turned and looked into her eyes and was startled by the electricity between them; once their eyes locked, neither could look away.
They were so close. I could kiss her, Harry thought. I could kiss her and she could kiss me back and all this would be over. But she could also slap me and our friendship would be ruined.
"Hermione," he started again, but he could not finish his sentence. Her brown eyes were burning into his green, making his brain stop functioning. The only thing he could think about was how much he loved her, how much he wanted and needed her.
"Harry," she whispered. "uh…." She couldn't get out her thought either. Just shut up and kiss me, Harry thought. He tried to tell her that telepathically, then almost laughed at his useless efforts. She's so beautiful.
"Are we going or not?" Ginny asked loudly as she came out of the kitchen, ruining the moment. Both Harry and Hermione turned to her.
"Oh, yes. We need to go. David's going to meet us at the club at one," Hermione said.
"The club?" Ron questioned.
"The Cabana Club," Hermione answered.
"The Cabana Club? You mean that really expensive place downtown? We're going there?" Ginny squealed. Hermione nodded.
"We'd better get going then!" Ginny said and rushed everyone out the door.
***
The Cabana Club was a very swanky place, with waiters in penguin suits and a fountain in the waiting area, that just reeked of money.
"Hermione's David must be pretty rich if he can afford this," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Obviously."
Hermione sat down on the lush, emerald green couch in the middle of the room. "Where is he?" she whined.
"I'm sure he's on his way," Ginny said sweetly. "It's two minutes 'til; he's still got a while."
Harry felt his stomach knot up. He watched Hermione sit with her face in her hands, obviously nervous. He just wanted to sit next to her and hold her, to tell her that everything would be all right because he loved her.
"Hermione, darling!" came a voice from across the room. The quartet turned to face David. Harry's first reaction was jealousy. David had perfectly in place golden hair, was very handsome, and had a golden tan that mirrored Hermione's. He was wearing a very expensive suit, most likely Armani or Versace or something horribly expensive like that. Harry had a knack for determining how old people were, and he pinned David for about twenty-eight.
"David!" Hermione cried with relief. She walked over to him and took his hand. "Everyone, this is David Mercenary. David, these are my two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, and Ron's sister Ginny."
"Pleased to meet you," David said politely. "Why don't we get a table."
"We were waiting on you, darling," Hermione explained.
The five sat down at a table near a window. "How was your flight?" David asked Hermione.
"Fine."
"How did you two meet?" Ginny asked. "I'm dying to know."
"Well, it's a very long story, I wouldn't want to bore you…." David began.
"We won't be bored. Do tell," insisted Ginny.
"Well, Hermione was working in the rain forest on an expedition, as you know. I was there on business; I'm a banker, and I work a lot with wizards as yourselves. I was there working on the new exchange rate."
"David owns a large share of Barbadensis, the muggle bank that works with Gringotts. Gringotts gets its muggle money from Barbadensis," Hermione told them.
"Barbadensis is my father's company. It has been in our family for generations."
"How interesting," Ginny said, looking very involved.
"Hermione came in one day in need of a money exchange. It was during most of the teller's lunches. I was supposed to turn away anyone who comes, but how could I say no to such a pretty witch?" David smiled at Hermione, who blushed.
"And that's the entire story," Hermione said.
"Ginny, darling," David said. "What do you do for a living?"
"I'm reporter for the Daily Prophet."
"Really! A reporter! I always wanted to be a reporter!" David exclaimed.
As Ginny and David chatted about reporting and whatnot, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron. "What do you think?" she asked.
"He's…" Harry started.
"Nice." Ron finished.
"Well dressed."
"Handsome."
"Polite."
Hermione sighed. "Will you guys at least try to like him?"
Ron looked hurt. "Who said we don't?"
"It's pretty obvious. You two are as clear as glass; you're so easy to see through," Hermione hissed.
"He's just so…" Ron paused.
"Perfect."
"Rich."
"Well dressed."
"Polite."
"Handsome."
Hermione sighed, but managed to crack a grin. "What will I do without you two?" she muttered.
"Hermione darling, I believe our food is here," David stated. Harry started to eat, but he couldn't take his eyes off Hermione. She was so cute when she ate, cutting her chicken and vegetables into little tiny pieces.
"When are you having the wedding?" Ginny asked.
"May tenth," David stated. Hermione looked up in surprise.
"Why May tenth?" Hermione asked.
"It was the only day would get the church. I've already requested invitations, so it's not really changeable," David told her. Hermione just nodded and looked down at her food.
"I thought the bride's parents paid for the wedding," Ginny said.
"The Grangers, while a very well off family, cannot afford the type of wedding I am esteemed of having," David answered.
"Esteemed of having," Harry mumbled under his breath.
David looked at Hermione eat in silence. "Darling, I think you might want to stop," he said, pointing to her plate.
"She's hardly made a dent in her meal!" Ron exclaimed.
David patted Hermione's back. "I can't very well marry a whale, now can I?" She flinched at his touch. He removed his hand. "Don't do this, love."
"Do what?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Oh, never mind." David said, then turned to chat with Ginny again. Hermione stared out the window.
"Hermione," Harry whispered, taking her hand under the table. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," she said in a monotone voice, not breaking her gaze from the window.
"Look at me," Harry said. Hermione turned to face him. He saw the pain in her eyes. "You're not ok, are you?"
"I'm fine!" she snapped, jerking her hand away from his. David and Ginny looked at her.
"What's wrong?" David asked.
"Absolutely nothing!" Hermione cried. "I'm fine!"
David shrugged. "If you're sure…. Ginny, what was your eldest brother's name? He sounds like quite a guy…" David turned back to Ginny. Ginny shot Ron and Harry a look of desperation; she did not want to carry this conversation all by herself.
"Excuse me," Hermione said, standing up. "I'm going to the restroom," she said. "If anyone cares," she murmured. She didn't realize that Harry heard her.
Ginny watched her leave. "Why don't I go and see what's wrong."
"Good idea," Harry said. Ginny stood up and walked in the direction that Hermione went in. David turned around and faced Harry and Ron.
"So," David said.
"Uh, it's quite some weather we're having, isn't it?" Ron asked.
"Um, yes, it is quite warm for this time of the year," David answered lamely.
Harry sighed. This was going to be a LONG afternoon.
***
Harry sat down on his bed. "What are we going to do?" he asked Ron and Ginny.
Ginny sighed. "I don't know. I didn't like him."
Ron snorted. "What was there to like?"
"Hermione obviously does see something in him," Ginny argued.
"What?"
"I don't know!" Ginny cried. "He's smart, handsome, wealthy."
"And snobby as hell," Harry sighed. "I don't think she loves him."
"And how would you know this?" Ginny asked.
"She didn't even kiss or hug him hello, and they hadn't seen each other in a while. And you should have seen her after he made that comment about her weight. She was like a statue."
"No wonder she's so thin!" Ron cried. "The jackass!"
"He hit on me the entire time!" Ginny screamed. "He kept on saying how pretty I was, and how amazing it was I didn't have a boyfriend." Ginny paused. "Actually, I HAD one until today, but let's not get into that."
"She didn't even defend herself when he put her down," Harry said, shaking his head.
Ron ran his fingers through his hair. "Hermione has never been big on self-confidence."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember at school, when someone would tease her, call her a know-it-all? She wouldn't defend herself, and would just start crying."
"I thought she got better at that," Harry sighed.
"Well, the whole thing with you probably hurt her a lot," Ginny said.
"What thing with me?" Harry asked.
Ginny looked around. "I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but you need to know."
"What is it?" Harry inquired, interested.
"Hermione really had a crush on you when we were younger."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah, it was always Harry this and Harry that. I finally confronted her about it one day and she admitted that she liked you," Ginny told him.
"Oh god," Ron mumbled.
"I wasn't going to tell you, because I thought it would hurt you more," Ginny explained.
"Why?"
"Harry, are you blind! Hermione was madly in love with you up until a year ago when she left!" Ginny cried.
Harry stood still, stunned. Why hadn't he taken a chance with her? I'm so stupid, he thought. "Why didn't I take a chance?" he mumbled.
"It's not your fault," Ginny said softly.
"Yes it is!"
Ginny shrugged. "I guess it is. She would have never told you how you felt for fear of rejection, so it was up to you."
"Oh, great. This is all my goddamn fault, right?" he asked. "Right?"
"She didn't say that, Harry," Ron said.
"Whatever. We just need to stop this wedding."
"How?" Ginny asked.
Harry got an idea. "How about sabotage?" he said with a wicked grin.
"How would you do that?" Ginny snapped.
"I don't know how, but I know who to ask," Harry said, his grin getting wider. Ron suddenly understood and grinned too.
"WHO?" Ginny screamed. "Who in the hell would sabotage a wedding?"
"Fred and George," Ron answered.
"Oh." Ginny looked at them, and then started smiling. "Let's see, I guess we'll have to go to Hogsmeade for supplies, correct?"
"If they agree too," Harry pointed out.
"Oh, they will agree. Don't worry about it. They will."
***
Hermione sat on the couch in the living room. I'm so pathetic, she thought. I actually have someone who is in love with me, and I almost blow it. Good god, I'm pathetic. She touched her stomach and grimaced. David's right, I am a whale.
"Hey," Harry said, sitting down next to her. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Hermione said.
"Hermione, I heard what you said," Harry said, holding her hand.
"What did I say?"
"What you said about no one caring," Harry said. Hermione sat for silence for a minute. Harry reached out and stroked her hair.
"I'm sorry about today. I don't know what I was thinking when I said that. It was most likely all the coffee I had this morning. After having my coffee high, I had my coffee low." She caught Harry looking at her. "What is it?"
"I care about you," Harry said softly. He lightly touched her cheek. Hermione looked up at him. She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's ok," he said, resting his chin on her head and putting his arms around her. "It's ok," he repeated.
"I know," she mumbled against his shirt. He felt her shaking softly and tightened his grip on her. He kissed the top of her head.
"It's ok," he said once more. He lightly stroked her hair, and felt her breathing slow against his chest. "I love you," he whispered. No answer. He lifted her head lightly and saw that she was asleep. He looked down and saw that his shirt was soaked with her tears. He held her closer and let her nestle against him, before he fell asleep too.
A/N: Hey! This story will have two or three more parts. Wow! I actually did this in a week! I think that's my best time ever. Score!
About the story line: this is a coming of age story for both Harry and especially Hermione. I know she seems a bit, well, weak now, and I apologize. I'm a major feminist, and I wouldn't do this if it wasn't important to the plot.
Please Read and Review!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, The Daily Prophet and Gringotts all belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, and Bloomsbery.
Maggie(Marguerite) Chabert, her parents whom you'll meet in the next part, David Mercenary, and Barbadensis all belong to me! Wicked smack!