Harry stirred from his deep sleep to the sound of Ron's voice. "Wake up!" Ron said. "Don't you want to meet Maggie's parents?"
"Just a minute." Harry opened his eyes and realized that he was on the couch, not in his bed. And he was holding Hermione. "Wake up, sweetheart," he said, shaking her gently.
"Huh?" she mumbled as her eyes fluttered open. "What?"
"I think we fell asleep on the couch last night," Harry told her.
"I guess we did," Hermione yawned. "Why'd you wake me up?"
"Maggie's parents are here. I think you've been looking forward to meeting them?" he asked.
"I guess so. I'm still sleepy. Give me five more minutes," she mumbled, then settled back against his chest. Harry opened his mouth, then closed it. This might be the last time you get to hold her, he told himself. Harry tightened his arms around her and buried his head in her hair.
Two people entered the room, both about in their late forties. They were obviously Maggie's parents. Her mother looked like an older identical version of Maggie, with Maggie's auburn hair and intense gray eyes. Her father had silver gray hair that resulted from aging, and the same mega-watt smile that Maggie was so loved for.
"Hello, which roommates are you?" Maggie's mother asked. "I'm Chloë Chabert."
"Harry Potter," Harry said. "And this is Hermione Granger," he said, pointing to the sleeping figure next to him.
Hermione lifted her head off Harry's chest. "Hello. It's nice to meet you," she said sleepily. She sat up and out of Harry's embrace. "I'm just a bit tired; I apologize for my laziness."
"Oh it's nothing, darling," Chloë said. "You said your name was Hermione, correct?" Hermione nodded. "Are you the one getting married?"
"Yes, I am," Hermione answered.
"Is this the groom?" Asked Maggie's father, pointing to Harry.
"No!" Hermione and Harry cried at the same time, then looked at each other. I wish I was the groom, but she obviously doesn't want to be my bride, Harry thought.
"I'm sorry, I just thought…" he apologized. "I'm Ethan Chabert, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan," Hermione said, changing the subject. "Did you just get in?"
"Oh, yes. Our flight was delayed for hours!" Chloe cried. "We had to sleep at the airport; it was most likely the most dreadful experience of my life!"
"Mum, I'm sure it wasn't as bad at that!" Maggie said as she walked into the room.
"It was, we had to sleep on the yellow plastic chairs!"
"She's right, it was awful," a voice came from the opposite side of the room, near the kitchen. A girl who looked about sixteen came forward. She had strawberry blonde hair and baby blue eyes.
"Who're you?" Hermione asked, rubbing her eyes.
"I'm Angelique Chabert, Maggie's sister. Nice to meet you," the girl said. "Call me Angie."
"I didn't know Angie was coming," Maggie groaned.
"If I had told her she wouldn't have let me come," Angie sneered.
"Girls!" Chloe cried. "Don't start!"
"Start what, mother?" Angie asked innocently.
"Oh, god," Maggie moaned and walked out of the room. Ron passed her on her way out.
"What's wrong?" he asked sweetly.
"Everything!" Maggie cried and went to her bedroom.
Ron looked at the scene in the living room. "Hey, Harry, are you coming? Ginny's already got a cab."
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"Uh, to see my brothers," Ron said.
"I want to go too," Hermione whined.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. They were going to ask Fred and George to sabotage the wedding; they couldn't take Hermione along. "Uh, we might go shopping on the way," Harry lied. "Wedding present shopping."
"Oh," Hermione yawned. "Have fun! When will you be back?"
"I don't know. When we get back!" cried Ron.
"Let's go," Harry said and quickly walked out the door, but stopped in the doorway to sneak one last glance at his love, who was sitting on the couch in her clothes she was wearing yesterday, with a look of both confusion and drowsiness on her face.
***
"Fred!" Ginny cried. "Why won't you?"
Fred Weasley shook his head firmly. "There is no way in hell I'm going to sabotage a WEDDING, for christsake. I'm not going to be the reason for Hermione's misery."
"She'll be more miserable with him!" Ginny pleaded.
"He's a complete ass," Ron added.
"He tells her she's fat and poor and he bosses her around!" Ginny argued. "He's awful!"
"Ginny," George Weasley began. "We're twenty four. It's time to put such childish acts behind us. And this isn't just mischievous, it's cruel."
"Hermione may be making a mistake," Fred said. "But it's her mistake. She'll learn from it and grow."
Ginny's face turned red with rage. "Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my brothers? You sound like mum!"
Fred looked at George, frightened. "Do we really?"
"Well, we're adults now. Adults do not sabotage weddings of their friends! You haven't even given us any real evidence of why we should!" George cried.
"Except the fact that he's a total jerk," Ron muttered.
"Give me one reason," Fred said. "Give me one, real, true reason that we should do this."
The room was silent for a minute. Harry found his voice for the first time that he had been at the Burrow, shattering the silence. "I love her."
Everyone turned to look at him. Harry lifted his head and looked at the twins; he felt their glare softening. "Do you really?" Fred asked.
"More than anything," Harry whispered.
Fred looked down at his lap. "Oh god," he mumbled and rested his fist against his forehead.
"Fred," George started. "We would actually be doing her a favor. The guy's obviously a jerk."
"Obviously," Fred said, trying to convince himself.
"And we've got a lovesick puppy over there who'd really appreciate us doing this," George added.
"I guess so," Fred sighed. "It's wrong, though."
A small smile played George's lips. "Oh, you know you want to."
Fred grinned. "Yeah, I do. How long has it been since we've pulled a prank?"
George pondered the question. "Three or so years."
"We do really need the practice, don't we?"
"Yes, we do. We don't want to turn into mum, now do we?" George asked, sending a sly glance Ginny's way.
Fred turned to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. "You've got yourself two professional Mischief Makers. All at a small price."
"Which would be?" Ron asked.
"Free food!" Fred and George said simultaneously.
"Sure," Ginny said.
"Score!" the twins cried and slapped hands in a high five. Ginny giggled, Ron tried hard not to laugh, and Harry smiled his first genuine smile in days.
***
It was May 7th, a week after Fred and George had agreed to wreck Hermione's wedding. The ceremony was three days from then, and the entire household was in havoc trying to get ready. Hermione's parents were staying with them, not to mention Maggie's family and Ginny who were also not regularly housed in the lavish London apartment.
"Hermione, did you pick out the cake like I told you to?" Caroline Granger asked her daughter.
"Yes, mother. I did that on Monday," Hermione yelled from the kitchen. Harry sat on the couch, trying to read the paper. He was, in reality, listening to the ongoing conversations and trying to get his mind of the fact that he was losing Hermione in three days.
Hermione walked into the living room, searching frantically for her appointment book. "It's got to be around here somewhere," she mumbled to herself. "Harry, have you seen…" she started.
Harry held out her agenda before she could even finish her sentence. "Here."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Hermione cried. She is really going loony, Harry thought. As to affirm his suspicions, Hermione reached over and gave his a peck on the cheek out of pure glee of finding her lost object. She backed away slowly, avoiding his gaze, then quickly turned away so Harry couldn't see how her face turned bright scarlet.
Harry looked around the room, and couldn't help notice how Mrs. Granger was staring at him.
Angie Chabert walked into the room. She had been at Maggie's wit ends for the last week, and Maggie was about to commit homicide on her younger sister. Harry could imagine why; Angie had been on every one's nerves since she got their. She was obnoxious and spoiled; she got everything she wanted because she was obviously her mother's pet. "Hey, Herm," she said. "Isn't your wedding shower today?"
Hermione gasped and hit her forehead. "I almost forgot!"
"It's at eleven," Angie informed her.
"I think she remembered that," Maggie snapped, coming out of the kitchen with Ron.
"Well, what if she didn't?" Angie shot back.
"Shut up! Both of you!" Hermione yelled. "I'm sorry, but I'm sick and tired of it! Stop it!"
"Sorry," Maggie and Angie said simultaneously.
"Change of subject," Ron said. "Say Harry, what did the twins say when you owled them?"
Harry glanced nervously at Hermione. "They said that they were working, it's a surprise."
"What's a surprise?" Hermione asked, sitting down on the couch next to Harry.
"Fred and George are planning a surprise," Harry said.
"I figured that much."
"It's for your wedding," Ron explained, not exactly lying.
"Oh, what?" Hermione asked.
"If we told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Harry teased, messing up Hermione's hair.
"I get it, I get it. I can't wait to see what the twins are up to! It'll be great!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Hey, Herm," Ron started. "Is your shower today girls only?" he asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yep, my female co-workers are throwing it for me."
"You guys get to go to the bachelor party tonight. That's boys only," Maggie pointed out with a grin.
"I guess so," Harry said. He really didn't want to go.
"Boys only, except for the girl who jumps out of the cake!" Angie joked.
Maggie smacked Angie's shoulder roughly. "The last thing she needs right now is YOU scaring her!"
"Who's scared?" Hermione said. "I trust David," she said, her voice unstable.
"Don't worry," Harry said sweetly. "Ron and I'll watch over him."
Hermione laughed. "I'm more worried about you two than him!"
Harry frowned. "Not funny."
Hermione grinned. "I thought it was."
"Of course you did," Harry muttered.
"What does that supposed to mean?" Hermione cried.
"It means that you *cough, cough* have no sense of humor," Harry said very quickly.
Hermione gasped in mock horror. "I can't believe you!" she said and shoved him.
"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed.
"Oh you baby, I didn't hurt you," Hermione said, smiling broadly. She placed a hand on his shoulder where she had shoved him.
"Well, uh, you COULD have," Harry said nervously. He couldn't think with Hermione's hand on him. He lightly shook at her touch and his heart sped up. Their eyes met, and Hermione reluctantly removed her hand from Harry's shoulder. The room was quiet for a minute, then began its chaos and noise again. Everyone went back into full action. Everyone except three people.
Harry, Hermione, and Mrs. Granger. Harry, trying to let his heart slow down; Hermione, trying to get rid of the feeling of how good it felt to touch him; and Mrs. Granger, who was staring at the two, especially Harry.
***
"Congratulations, Hermione!" her co-worker, Abby Mustard, exclaimed at the wedding shower.
"Thanks," Hermione said shyly. She was being greeted and congratulated by people she had hardly known. She had not expected that marrying David would get this much attention. How much attention would she get if she was marrying Harry?
Don't do this! She scolded herself. Harry never returned your feelings, don't make yourself go through this again! He liked pretty girls, like Cho Chang, not brainy know-it-alls like herself. Don't do this!
She did it anyway. She thought about Harry, how much she had loved him. She thought about how his smile had made her heart skip a bit, how his touch had sent good-natured chills up her spine. She had loved everything about him, the feel of his skin, the glisten of his eyes, the untidiness of his hair. She had loved his faults, his sometimes annoying innocence on most matters, his impatience, the way he would never listen to others in dangerous situations; he would always jump right in and be a hero, no matter how stupid it was. She had loved the way he had wrinkled his nose when in thought, the way his tears ran down his cheeks, the way he walked with his wide, confident step.
She had fallen so in love with him that she used to go into his room every night since they moved in to the apartment after graduating, just to kiss him goodnight and watch him in slumber. He was so angelic looking when he was sleeping. Once or twice he had woken up while she was sitting there; she had always lied and said that he had been screaming in his sleep from nightmares. He always bought her excuses, most likely because he was continually having nightmares. Hermione's heart ached for him when she thought of him having bad dreams.
She had loved him since her third year, when she had ridden behind him on the hippogriff. She had smelled his hair, the way it always smelled like cinnamon, and felt his skin, so rough yet so soft and smooth at the same time, and somehow he had entered her heart.
Had he really left her heart? She asked herself, then cursed herself for thinking it. Of course he had, she was madly in love with David, and he loved her back. She hadn't an idea why David loved her, she wasn't anything special. But he did, and she was going to marry him. I love David, she told herself. What do I love about him? she asked herself. She couldn't concentrate on an answer, her mind fled to when he proposed to her, at sunset on the banks of the Amazon.
"Hermione, I want to marry you," he had said that day. He was so handsome.
"Why?" she asked.
"I love you," he answered. He got down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket.
It was the most beautiful ring Hermione had ever seen. It had more diamonds than she had ever seen, all on a 14 karat gold band. Hermione couldn't tell which she was more bedazzled by, the ring or the fact that David wanted to marry her. "Yes," she finally said. "Yes, I'll marry you."
I love him, Hermione told herself. Get a grip. What do I love about him? she asked herself again.
She couldn't think of anything.
"Hermione, are you having fun?" Ginny asked. "You seem kind of out there."
"I'm fine," Hermione replied sweetly. "I'm just a little bit tired; I've been so busy, running all over town…"
Ginny put a friendly hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I understand. You've been through a lot lately. Why don't you sit down for a minute?"
Hermione nodded and sat down in a chair. She stayed there, chatting politely with the guests, until everyone had gone except Ginny and Maggie, who were cleaning up. Hermione laid her head on a desk and fell asleep.
She was on a beach in her dream, and it was sunset. The sky was a magnificent shade of pink, with a purple color nearing the heavens and it being more orange near the horizon. The sun was a brilliant, blazing orange that was half peeking above the turquoise waters. She was barefoot, white sand seeping between her toes. The light breeze blew her hair behind her, off her face. She felt someone's arms go around her waist, and she felt a tiny kiss on her cheek. Expecting to see David, she turned around.
Instead, she saw Harry Potter.
***
Harry and Ron stood outside Piño's, a successful muggle bar where the bachelor party was to be held. The parking lot was full of cars, and the street had cars parallel parked a mile away for this event.
"He's a popular guy," Ron said. Harry nodded. "A lot of muggles."
"Why are we here?" Harry asked. "I don't like the guy."
"Neither do I. And to tell you the truth, I don't know why I'm here either," Ron hissed.
"Harry, Ron!" a voice called from behind them. It was David. "Come inside and join the fun!"
"Uh, ok," Harry said. The two walked in. The bar was super crowded, with cigarette smoke in the air so thickly it was hard to breathe.
"Have a drink," David offered.
"No thanks," Harry refused.
"Why not?" David asked. "Loosen up a bit!"
"I have a pact," Harry began. He looked down at his palm and saw a ghost of a scar. He remembered the day three years ago he had created this scar.
It had been just Harry and Hermione, sitting at home, watching TV. They had been watching a comedy program, which was a bit ironic, considering what was lying ahead of them. The phone had rang, and Harry had had reached over and answer it, being careful not to remove Hermione's feet, which were in his lap.
"Hello?" He had said. It was Ron calling from the Burrow. He sounded very shaken up.
"Harry, my dad died at three o'clock this morning."
"What happened?" Harry had asked lamely, not knowing what else to say. Hermione looked at him quizzically, not having any clue what was happening.
"He was in a DUI. He was just driving in his car, and this goddamn drunk muggle asshole was driving on the wrong side of the road," Ron paused to fight back tears. "They had a head-on collision. The muggle didn't even have a concussion."
Harry didn't remember what he said next, just comforting Ron and offering to come over to the Burrow and help, but Ron told him not to, that he would be home tomorrow. Harry hung up the phone, feeling destroyed. Mr. Weasley had almost been another father to him; he had taken Harry in so many times after the Dursley's had been cruel.
"What happened?" Hermione asked softly.
"Mr. Weasley was killed by a drunk driver," Harry explained. He told her everything that Ron had told him. To his surprise, Hermione did not cry; she got angry.
"How dare he! Goddamn it! The f****** bastard! I could just kill him! F*** him!" she screamed at the top her lungs.
"Screaming isn't going to help," Harry said softly. Hermione had stared at him for a minute, then went into the kitchen.
She came back a minute later with a knife. "Give me your hand," she demanded.
"What the hell?"
She sighed. "Let's make a pact. We won't drink as long as we live, as a gift to Mr. Weasley. One last dedication."
Harry bit his lip. "Ok," he agreed. He held out his palm, and Hermione made a cut down it, then cut a identical mark on her palm. As they pressed their hands together, Harry could feel his blood mixing with hers.
"If we break this," Hermione began.
"We WON'T break this."
Hermione looked at him. "No, we won't." Tears ran down her face, and Harry pulled her into his arms so that she could cry on his shoulder. Harry started to sob also; he cried into her hair. Goodbye, Arthur Weasley. We won't forget you.
"I have a pact," Harry repeated. "Not to drink."
David snorted. "A pact?" he mocked. "A pact?"
"Yes!"
"With whom?" David laughed. "The pope? The arch-bishop?"
"Hermione," Harry said. "Your fiancée. A friend of ours was killed in a DUI, and we don't drink." Ron looked down on the floor, trying not to cry as he thought of his father.
David snorted again. "Whatever. Make yourself at home." He walked off and started talking to some of his muggle buddies.
"You didn't tell me about the pact," Ron said softly.
Harry looked at his feet. "It was between Hermione and I, and I wanted to keep it that way. I didn't want to bring it up, anyway."
Ron looked at his best friend. "My dad would have been proud of you. Proud of you both."
"Why?"
"You actually did something about it, and are sticking to it. He's be proud. I'm proud to be your friend," Ron said.
"It was Hermione's idea."
"I'm proud of her too," Ron said. It seemed a bit of an odd place to be having such a sensitive conversation; an overcrowded, smoke filled bar is not the norm place to talk about the deceased.
Harry and Ron hung out for about an hour, chatting with some of the friendlier looking guys. Harry watched David as he had one drink, than another.
"Do ya' think David's had a bit much to drink?" Harry whispered.
"He's had about five beers in about forty five minutes. He needs to stop," Ron said.
"I'm not going to tell him."
"Well, I'm sure not."
David walked up to the stage where the band was playing. "Thank you very much for coming," he said in a slurred voice. "I *hiccup* really appreciate *hiccup* it. And now," he looked around. "It's time for some really *hiccup* good entertainment! Let's *hiccup* go, boys!"
A very pretty girl walked on stage, dressed in very provocative clothing. Harry didn't want to be there.
"I'm going," he told Ron.
"Then I'm leaving too!"
"NO!" Harry said. "Stay here and make sure David doesn't take that girl home or anything."
Ron scowled at him, but nodded. "Go." Harry went.
***
When Harry reached the apartment, it was very empty. He walked around, searching for people, but found no one. "Hello!" he cried. "Is anyone here?" No answer. Harry peered out the window, and saw Hermione out by the pool. There apartment complex had a very nice pool out in the courtyard of the building. The pool was surrounded by greenery that resembled what Hermione saw in the Amazon, and had little lights woven in the trees that looked like Christmas tree lights. It was beautiful. Harry saw Hermione sitting in a lounge chair, gazing up at the stairs. She was beautiful. Harry ran to his room, pulled on his trunks, and left the apartment to join her.
***
Hermione sat in a flimsy lounge chair, looking at the sky, trying to pick out her favorite constellations. There's Orian, she thought. She tried to pick out others, but could not concentrate. She couldn't stop thinking about the dream she had during her nap after her wedding shower.
What did it mean? At that moment in time, Hermione wished dearly that she had taken divination at Hogwarts; dream interpreting was one of the main themes of the class. Did it mean that Harry was the one she was supposed to be with? Did it mean that she still loved him?
I don't love him, I don't, she told herself. I mean, I love him dearly, as a friend, but nothing more than that. Then why did I dream it? She had fallen out of love with Harry a year ago, when she had met David. Or so she thought. Do I still love him?
That's silly, she scolded herself. Besides, he never considered her more than just a friend. Re-examining their relationship would just leave her more heart broken than before. But do I still love him?
"Hey," a voice came from behind her, making her jump about three feet in the air.
"Harry! You startled me," Hermione said, catching her breath. She gazed at him. Oh, he was so handsome in the moonlight that he made her stomach hurt in a good-natured way.
"Sorry," Harry smiled at her. She was so beautiful. Her eyes burned into his, making his heart speed up.
"Why aren't you at the party?" Hermione asked.
"I left; it was boring. I would rather be here," Harry answered, not breaking their stare.
"Oh," she said. They were silent for a minute. "Do you want to swim?"
Harry grinned. "Love to." He placed his glasses on the chair next to Hermione's and walked over to the pool's edge. "After you, mademoiselle."
Hermione took off her shirt, revealing her tankini. "Yes, sir," she said. She stepped on the first step of the pool, barely getting her feet wet.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You'll never get in at that rate. Watch me." He ran to the side and cannonballed into the water, splashing Hermione.
"You got me wet!" She laughed.
"That was my point," Harry said. He walked next to her. "Hurry up," he whined.
"It's cold," Hermione complained.
"I'm not cold. You should just jump in," Harry said.
"I can't."
"Come on, take a chance," Harry coaxed. "You do want to swim, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then jump. Come on," he said sweetly.
"Ok, here goes," Hermione said. She closed her eyes and jumped into the pool, creating a huge splash. She screamed. "It's so cold!"
"It gets better," he said softly. She was shivering, so he walked over to her and started rubbing her arms, before he realized what he was doing. "Still cold?" he whispered.
"No." She was hot, her face was hot, her arms were hot from his touch. She felt if she could burn from the heat, as if she would never be cold again.
He took his arms off of her, trembling with joy from being so close to her. "Let's swim," he suggested.
"Ok," she said. They both swam into deeper waters, where Hermione could barely stand up with her head above the water. "I'm too short," she complained.
Harry laughed. "No, you're perfect." He turned towards the deeper end of the pool. "Look," he said, pointing to the floor of deeper waters. "What's that?" He swam off towards it, grabbing her arm and dragging her with him.
"Harry, no," Hermione cried, but Harry couldn't hear her. He dragged her into just before the six foot deep waters, then let go of her wrist and dove down. "I can't stand up here," she moaned, treading water.
Harry came up above the surface. "Look what I found!" It was a baby turtle.
"Is it ok?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "I wonder how it got on the bottom of the pool."
"Go put it on the side," Hermione suggested. "Near the plants."
"Good idea," he whispered and swam off to the side. "There you go," he told the turtle. "Go find your mother." The little turtle started to walk off in the direction of the large palm about three feet from the edge of the pool.
"You saved his life," Hermione said as Harry swam back over to her.
Harry shrugged. "I guess I did." He smiled at her. "What's wrong? Why are you squirming so?"
Hermione sighed. "I can't stand up here, it's too deep, and I hate treading water. I can't do it!"
Harry grinned at her. "Come here," he said as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Lean on me," he whispered.
Hermione put her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Thanks," she whispered, her face burning hot from being so near him.
"You're welcome," Harry murmured. His heart started beating fast because they were so close to each other, their noses were touching. "Hermione," he started. He looked into her eyes and his heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah?" she whispered. Her entire body was trembling violently.
"Uh," Harry started, but he couldn't seem to find any words.
"Um." She bit her lip. Harry brought his face a little closer to hers, which made her shake harder.
"Hermione," Harry whispered again. He didn't know why he was getting closer to her; it was involuntary.
"Yeah?" she murmured so softly it was almost inaudible. Harry didn't answer her, he just tilted his head. Hermione inclined her head the opposite way, and the two drew closer and closer, as in slow motion, until his lips touched hers.
"Hey guys!" A cheerful female voice called. Hermione quickly pulled herself out of Harry's arms and turned to face their visitor.
"Hello Mrs. Chabert," Hermione greeted. She swam towards the shallow end and climbed out of the pool. Harry followed her reluctantly. Goddamn Mrs. Chabert, ruining my wonderful moment with Hermione. I would have gotten to kiss her too, he thought bitterly. It doesn't count as a kiss if my lips were only touching hers for a second.
"Please, call me Chloe!" the woman chuckled. "It's a rarity when I have to tell people that; most young people now have no manners!"
"So unlike yourself," Harry muttered to himself.
"What were you two doing out here?" Chloe asked.
"Talking," Hermione answered. And a bit more, she thought to herself.
"It's so nice you two are such good friends. Friends are often the most important things one can have," Chloe said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. I don't want to be her friend, Harry thought. I want to be more than that.
"Friends are important," Hermione agreed. What just happened to Harry and my friendship? What did we almost do? She asked herself.
Harry walked over to the huge palm tree by the pool. "Hey, Herm, come look!"
"What is it?" she asked, not sure how to act around him anymore.
"Come here," he motioned.
"What?" she asked again, kneeling beside him.
"Look," he pointed. It was the baby turtle. It had found it's mother, and it's mother was protecting some eggs hidden inside a crevice underneath a raised root of the tree.
"Looks like our turtle friend is getting some brothers and sisters," Hermione smiled.
"I guess so," he said and helped her up. "Let's go in."
Hermione nodded, and the two left Chloe and walked up to their apartment in silence. When they arrived there, Hermione noticed that Harry was still holding her hand.
"Sorry," he said, blushing profusely.
"It's ok," she whispered. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight," he said sweetly.
"Night," she whispered, walking out of the room. Harry watched her leave. I love her, he thought. I love her so much that it kills me to be apart from her, even if she's in the next room. David hasn't even seen her in a week. I should be the one marrying her, not him.
And if I had gotten to kiss her, maybe I would be the one marrying her, Harry thought. If only I had gotten to kiss her.
A/N: Please read and review! I really don't have much to say, except I think there's going to be two more parts, k? REVIEW! It makes me feel loved
Disclaimer: Harry & co. belong to J.K. Everyone else belongs to me.
"Just a minute." Harry opened his eyes and realized that he was on the couch, not in his bed. And he was holding Hermione. "Wake up, sweetheart," he said, shaking her gently.
"Huh?" she mumbled as her eyes fluttered open. "What?"
"I think we fell asleep on the couch last night," Harry told her.
"I guess we did," Hermione yawned. "Why'd you wake me up?"
"Maggie's parents are here. I think you've been looking forward to meeting them?" he asked.
"I guess so. I'm still sleepy. Give me five more minutes," she mumbled, then settled back against his chest. Harry opened his mouth, then closed it. This might be the last time you get to hold her, he told himself. Harry tightened his arms around her and buried his head in her hair.
Two people entered the room, both about in their late forties. They were obviously Maggie's parents. Her mother looked like an older identical version of Maggie, with Maggie's auburn hair and intense gray eyes. Her father had silver gray hair that resulted from aging, and the same mega-watt smile that Maggie was so loved for.
"Hello, which roommates are you?" Maggie's mother asked. "I'm Chloë Chabert."
"Harry Potter," Harry said. "And this is Hermione Granger," he said, pointing to the sleeping figure next to him.
Hermione lifted her head off Harry's chest. "Hello. It's nice to meet you," she said sleepily. She sat up and out of Harry's embrace. "I'm just a bit tired; I apologize for my laziness."
"Oh it's nothing, darling," Chloë said. "You said your name was Hermione, correct?" Hermione nodded. "Are you the one getting married?"
"Yes, I am," Hermione answered.
"Is this the groom?" Asked Maggie's father, pointing to Harry.
"No!" Hermione and Harry cried at the same time, then looked at each other. I wish I was the groom, but she obviously doesn't want to be my bride, Harry thought.
"I'm sorry, I just thought…" he apologized. "I'm Ethan Chabert, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Ethan," Hermione said, changing the subject. "Did you just get in?"
"Oh, yes. Our flight was delayed for hours!" Chloe cried. "We had to sleep at the airport; it was most likely the most dreadful experience of my life!"
"Mum, I'm sure it wasn't as bad at that!" Maggie said as she walked into the room.
"It was, we had to sleep on the yellow plastic chairs!"
"She's right, it was awful," a voice came from the opposite side of the room, near the kitchen. A girl who looked about sixteen came forward. She had strawberry blonde hair and baby blue eyes.
"Who're you?" Hermione asked, rubbing her eyes.
"I'm Angelique Chabert, Maggie's sister. Nice to meet you," the girl said. "Call me Angie."
"I didn't know Angie was coming," Maggie groaned.
"If I had told her she wouldn't have let me come," Angie sneered.
"Girls!" Chloe cried. "Don't start!"
"Start what, mother?" Angie asked innocently.
"Oh, god," Maggie moaned and walked out of the room. Ron passed her on her way out.
"What's wrong?" he asked sweetly.
"Everything!" Maggie cried and went to her bedroom.
Ron looked at the scene in the living room. "Hey, Harry, are you coming? Ginny's already got a cab."
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"Uh, to see my brothers," Ron said.
"I want to go too," Hermione whined.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. They were going to ask Fred and George to sabotage the wedding; they couldn't take Hermione along. "Uh, we might go shopping on the way," Harry lied. "Wedding present shopping."
"Oh," Hermione yawned. "Have fun! When will you be back?"
"I don't know. When we get back!" cried Ron.
"Let's go," Harry said and quickly walked out the door, but stopped in the doorway to sneak one last glance at his love, who was sitting on the couch in her clothes she was wearing yesterday, with a look of both confusion and drowsiness on her face.
***
"Fred!" Ginny cried. "Why won't you?"
Fred Weasley shook his head firmly. "There is no way in hell I'm going to sabotage a WEDDING, for christsake. I'm not going to be the reason for Hermione's misery."
"She'll be more miserable with him!" Ginny pleaded.
"He's a complete ass," Ron added.
"He tells her she's fat and poor and he bosses her around!" Ginny argued. "He's awful!"
"Ginny," George Weasley began. "We're twenty four. It's time to put such childish acts behind us. And this isn't just mischievous, it's cruel."
"Hermione may be making a mistake," Fred said. "But it's her mistake. She'll learn from it and grow."
Ginny's face turned red with rage. "Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my brothers? You sound like mum!"
Fred looked at George, frightened. "Do we really?"
"Well, we're adults now. Adults do not sabotage weddings of their friends! You haven't even given us any real evidence of why we should!" George cried.
"Except the fact that he's a total jerk," Ron muttered.
"Give me one reason," Fred said. "Give me one, real, true reason that we should do this."
The room was silent for a minute. Harry found his voice for the first time that he had been at the Burrow, shattering the silence. "I love her."
Everyone turned to look at him. Harry lifted his head and looked at the twins; he felt their glare softening. "Do you really?" Fred asked.
"More than anything," Harry whispered.
Fred looked down at his lap. "Oh god," he mumbled and rested his fist against his forehead.
"Fred," George started. "We would actually be doing her a favor. The guy's obviously a jerk."
"Obviously," Fred said, trying to convince himself.
"And we've got a lovesick puppy over there who'd really appreciate us doing this," George added.
"I guess so," Fred sighed. "It's wrong, though."
A small smile played George's lips. "Oh, you know you want to."
Fred grinned. "Yeah, I do. How long has it been since we've pulled a prank?"
George pondered the question. "Three or so years."
"We do really need the practice, don't we?"
"Yes, we do. We don't want to turn into mum, now do we?" George asked, sending a sly glance Ginny's way.
Fred turned to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. "You've got yourself two professional Mischief Makers. All at a small price."
"Which would be?" Ron asked.
"Free food!" Fred and George said simultaneously.
"Sure," Ginny said.
"Score!" the twins cried and slapped hands in a high five. Ginny giggled, Ron tried hard not to laugh, and Harry smiled his first genuine smile in days.
***
It was May 7th, a week after Fred and George had agreed to wreck Hermione's wedding. The ceremony was three days from then, and the entire household was in havoc trying to get ready. Hermione's parents were staying with them, not to mention Maggie's family and Ginny who were also not regularly housed in the lavish London apartment.
"Hermione, did you pick out the cake like I told you to?" Caroline Granger asked her daughter.
"Yes, mother. I did that on Monday," Hermione yelled from the kitchen. Harry sat on the couch, trying to read the paper. He was, in reality, listening to the ongoing conversations and trying to get his mind of the fact that he was losing Hermione in three days.
Hermione walked into the living room, searching frantically for her appointment book. "It's got to be around here somewhere," she mumbled to herself. "Harry, have you seen…" she started.
Harry held out her agenda before she could even finish her sentence. "Here."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Hermione cried. She is really going loony, Harry thought. As to affirm his suspicions, Hermione reached over and gave his a peck on the cheek out of pure glee of finding her lost object. She backed away slowly, avoiding his gaze, then quickly turned away so Harry couldn't see how her face turned bright scarlet.
Harry looked around the room, and couldn't help notice how Mrs. Granger was staring at him.
Angie Chabert walked into the room. She had been at Maggie's wit ends for the last week, and Maggie was about to commit homicide on her younger sister. Harry could imagine why; Angie had been on every one's nerves since she got their. She was obnoxious and spoiled; she got everything she wanted because she was obviously her mother's pet. "Hey, Herm," she said. "Isn't your wedding shower today?"
Hermione gasped and hit her forehead. "I almost forgot!"
"It's at eleven," Angie informed her.
"I think she remembered that," Maggie snapped, coming out of the kitchen with Ron.
"Well, what if she didn't?" Angie shot back.
"Shut up! Both of you!" Hermione yelled. "I'm sorry, but I'm sick and tired of it! Stop it!"
"Sorry," Maggie and Angie said simultaneously.
"Change of subject," Ron said. "Say Harry, what did the twins say when you owled them?"
Harry glanced nervously at Hermione. "They said that they were working, it's a surprise."
"What's a surprise?" Hermione asked, sitting down on the couch next to Harry.
"Fred and George are planning a surprise," Harry said.
"I figured that much."
"It's for your wedding," Ron explained, not exactly lying.
"Oh, what?" Hermione asked.
"If we told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Harry teased, messing up Hermione's hair.
"I get it, I get it. I can't wait to see what the twins are up to! It'll be great!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Hey, Herm," Ron started. "Is your shower today girls only?" he asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yep, my female co-workers are throwing it for me."
"You guys get to go to the bachelor party tonight. That's boys only," Maggie pointed out with a grin.
"I guess so," Harry said. He really didn't want to go.
"Boys only, except for the girl who jumps out of the cake!" Angie joked.
Maggie smacked Angie's shoulder roughly. "The last thing she needs right now is YOU scaring her!"
"Who's scared?" Hermione said. "I trust David," she said, her voice unstable.
"Don't worry," Harry said sweetly. "Ron and I'll watch over him."
Hermione laughed. "I'm more worried about you two than him!"
Harry frowned. "Not funny."
Hermione grinned. "I thought it was."
"Of course you did," Harry muttered.
"What does that supposed to mean?" Hermione cried.
"It means that you *cough, cough* have no sense of humor," Harry said very quickly.
Hermione gasped in mock horror. "I can't believe you!" she said and shoved him.
"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed.
"Oh you baby, I didn't hurt you," Hermione said, smiling broadly. She placed a hand on his shoulder where she had shoved him.
"Well, uh, you COULD have," Harry said nervously. He couldn't think with Hermione's hand on him. He lightly shook at her touch and his heart sped up. Their eyes met, and Hermione reluctantly removed her hand from Harry's shoulder. The room was quiet for a minute, then began its chaos and noise again. Everyone went back into full action. Everyone except three people.
Harry, Hermione, and Mrs. Granger. Harry, trying to let his heart slow down; Hermione, trying to get rid of the feeling of how good it felt to touch him; and Mrs. Granger, who was staring at the two, especially Harry.
***
"Congratulations, Hermione!" her co-worker, Abby Mustard, exclaimed at the wedding shower.
"Thanks," Hermione said shyly. She was being greeted and congratulated by people she had hardly known. She had not expected that marrying David would get this much attention. How much attention would she get if she was marrying Harry?
Don't do this! She scolded herself. Harry never returned your feelings, don't make yourself go through this again! He liked pretty girls, like Cho Chang, not brainy know-it-alls like herself. Don't do this!
She did it anyway. She thought about Harry, how much she had loved him. She thought about how his smile had made her heart skip a bit, how his touch had sent good-natured chills up her spine. She had loved everything about him, the feel of his skin, the glisten of his eyes, the untidiness of his hair. She had loved his faults, his sometimes annoying innocence on most matters, his impatience, the way he would never listen to others in dangerous situations; he would always jump right in and be a hero, no matter how stupid it was. She had loved the way he had wrinkled his nose when in thought, the way his tears ran down his cheeks, the way he walked with his wide, confident step.
She had fallen so in love with him that she used to go into his room every night since they moved in to the apartment after graduating, just to kiss him goodnight and watch him in slumber. He was so angelic looking when he was sleeping. Once or twice he had woken up while she was sitting there; she had always lied and said that he had been screaming in his sleep from nightmares. He always bought her excuses, most likely because he was continually having nightmares. Hermione's heart ached for him when she thought of him having bad dreams.
She had loved him since her third year, when she had ridden behind him on the hippogriff. She had smelled his hair, the way it always smelled like cinnamon, and felt his skin, so rough yet so soft and smooth at the same time, and somehow he had entered her heart.
Had he really left her heart? She asked herself, then cursed herself for thinking it. Of course he had, she was madly in love with David, and he loved her back. She hadn't an idea why David loved her, she wasn't anything special. But he did, and she was going to marry him. I love David, she told herself. What do I love about him? she asked herself. She couldn't concentrate on an answer, her mind fled to when he proposed to her, at sunset on the banks of the Amazon.
"Hermione, I want to marry you," he had said that day. He was so handsome.
"Why?" she asked.
"I love you," he answered. He got down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket.
It was the most beautiful ring Hermione had ever seen. It had more diamonds than she had ever seen, all on a 14 karat gold band. Hermione couldn't tell which she was more bedazzled by, the ring or the fact that David wanted to marry her. "Yes," she finally said. "Yes, I'll marry you."
I love him, Hermione told herself. Get a grip. What do I love about him? she asked herself again.
She couldn't think of anything.
"Hermione, are you having fun?" Ginny asked. "You seem kind of out there."
"I'm fine," Hermione replied sweetly. "I'm just a little bit tired; I've been so busy, running all over town…"
Ginny put a friendly hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I understand. You've been through a lot lately. Why don't you sit down for a minute?"
Hermione nodded and sat down in a chair. She stayed there, chatting politely with the guests, until everyone had gone except Ginny and Maggie, who were cleaning up. Hermione laid her head on a desk and fell asleep.
She was on a beach in her dream, and it was sunset. The sky was a magnificent shade of pink, with a purple color nearing the heavens and it being more orange near the horizon. The sun was a brilliant, blazing orange that was half peeking above the turquoise waters. She was barefoot, white sand seeping between her toes. The light breeze blew her hair behind her, off her face. She felt someone's arms go around her waist, and she felt a tiny kiss on her cheek. Expecting to see David, she turned around.
Instead, she saw Harry Potter.
***
Harry and Ron stood outside Piño's, a successful muggle bar where the bachelor party was to be held. The parking lot was full of cars, and the street had cars parallel parked a mile away for this event.
"He's a popular guy," Ron said. Harry nodded. "A lot of muggles."
"Why are we here?" Harry asked. "I don't like the guy."
"Neither do I. And to tell you the truth, I don't know why I'm here either," Ron hissed.
"Harry, Ron!" a voice called from behind them. It was David. "Come inside and join the fun!"
"Uh, ok," Harry said. The two walked in. The bar was super crowded, with cigarette smoke in the air so thickly it was hard to breathe.
"Have a drink," David offered.
"No thanks," Harry refused.
"Why not?" David asked. "Loosen up a bit!"
"I have a pact," Harry began. He looked down at his palm and saw a ghost of a scar. He remembered the day three years ago he had created this scar.
It had been just Harry and Hermione, sitting at home, watching TV. They had been watching a comedy program, which was a bit ironic, considering what was lying ahead of them. The phone had rang, and Harry had had reached over and answer it, being careful not to remove Hermione's feet, which were in his lap.
"Hello?" He had said. It was Ron calling from the Burrow. He sounded very shaken up.
"Harry, my dad died at three o'clock this morning."
"What happened?" Harry had asked lamely, not knowing what else to say. Hermione looked at him quizzically, not having any clue what was happening.
"He was in a DUI. He was just driving in his car, and this goddamn drunk muggle asshole was driving on the wrong side of the road," Ron paused to fight back tears. "They had a head-on collision. The muggle didn't even have a concussion."
Harry didn't remember what he said next, just comforting Ron and offering to come over to the Burrow and help, but Ron told him not to, that he would be home tomorrow. Harry hung up the phone, feeling destroyed. Mr. Weasley had almost been another father to him; he had taken Harry in so many times after the Dursley's had been cruel.
"What happened?" Hermione asked softly.
"Mr. Weasley was killed by a drunk driver," Harry explained. He told her everything that Ron had told him. To his surprise, Hermione did not cry; she got angry.
"How dare he! Goddamn it! The f****** bastard! I could just kill him! F*** him!" she screamed at the top her lungs.
"Screaming isn't going to help," Harry said softly. Hermione had stared at him for a minute, then went into the kitchen.
She came back a minute later with a knife. "Give me your hand," she demanded.
"What the hell?"
She sighed. "Let's make a pact. We won't drink as long as we live, as a gift to Mr. Weasley. One last dedication."
Harry bit his lip. "Ok," he agreed. He held out his palm, and Hermione made a cut down it, then cut a identical mark on her palm. As they pressed their hands together, Harry could feel his blood mixing with hers.
"If we break this," Hermione began.
"We WON'T break this."
Hermione looked at him. "No, we won't." Tears ran down her face, and Harry pulled her into his arms so that she could cry on his shoulder. Harry started to sob also; he cried into her hair. Goodbye, Arthur Weasley. We won't forget you.
"I have a pact," Harry repeated. "Not to drink."
David snorted. "A pact?" he mocked. "A pact?"
"Yes!"
"With whom?" David laughed. "The pope? The arch-bishop?"
"Hermione," Harry said. "Your fiancée. A friend of ours was killed in a DUI, and we don't drink." Ron looked down on the floor, trying not to cry as he thought of his father.
David snorted again. "Whatever. Make yourself at home." He walked off and started talking to some of his muggle buddies.
"You didn't tell me about the pact," Ron said softly.
Harry looked at his feet. "It was between Hermione and I, and I wanted to keep it that way. I didn't want to bring it up, anyway."
Ron looked at his best friend. "My dad would have been proud of you. Proud of you both."
"Why?"
"You actually did something about it, and are sticking to it. He's be proud. I'm proud to be your friend," Ron said.
"It was Hermione's idea."
"I'm proud of her too," Ron said. It seemed a bit of an odd place to be having such a sensitive conversation; an overcrowded, smoke filled bar is not the norm place to talk about the deceased.
Harry and Ron hung out for about an hour, chatting with some of the friendlier looking guys. Harry watched David as he had one drink, than another.
"Do ya' think David's had a bit much to drink?" Harry whispered.
"He's had about five beers in about forty five minutes. He needs to stop," Ron said.
"I'm not going to tell him."
"Well, I'm sure not."
David walked up to the stage where the band was playing. "Thank you very much for coming," he said in a slurred voice. "I *hiccup* really appreciate *hiccup* it. And now," he looked around. "It's time for some really *hiccup* good entertainment! Let's *hiccup* go, boys!"
A very pretty girl walked on stage, dressed in very provocative clothing. Harry didn't want to be there.
"I'm going," he told Ron.
"Then I'm leaving too!"
"NO!" Harry said. "Stay here and make sure David doesn't take that girl home or anything."
Ron scowled at him, but nodded. "Go." Harry went.
***
When Harry reached the apartment, it was very empty. He walked around, searching for people, but found no one. "Hello!" he cried. "Is anyone here?" No answer. Harry peered out the window, and saw Hermione out by the pool. There apartment complex had a very nice pool out in the courtyard of the building. The pool was surrounded by greenery that resembled what Hermione saw in the Amazon, and had little lights woven in the trees that looked like Christmas tree lights. It was beautiful. Harry saw Hermione sitting in a lounge chair, gazing up at the stairs. She was beautiful. Harry ran to his room, pulled on his trunks, and left the apartment to join her.
***
Hermione sat in a flimsy lounge chair, looking at the sky, trying to pick out her favorite constellations. There's Orian, she thought. She tried to pick out others, but could not concentrate. She couldn't stop thinking about the dream she had during her nap after her wedding shower.
What did it mean? At that moment in time, Hermione wished dearly that she had taken divination at Hogwarts; dream interpreting was one of the main themes of the class. Did it mean that Harry was the one she was supposed to be with? Did it mean that she still loved him?
I don't love him, I don't, she told herself. I mean, I love him dearly, as a friend, but nothing more than that. Then why did I dream it? She had fallen out of love with Harry a year ago, when she had met David. Or so she thought. Do I still love him?
That's silly, she scolded herself. Besides, he never considered her more than just a friend. Re-examining their relationship would just leave her more heart broken than before. But do I still love him?
"Hey," a voice came from behind her, making her jump about three feet in the air.
"Harry! You startled me," Hermione said, catching her breath. She gazed at him. Oh, he was so handsome in the moonlight that he made her stomach hurt in a good-natured way.
"Sorry," Harry smiled at her. She was so beautiful. Her eyes burned into his, making his heart speed up.
"Why aren't you at the party?" Hermione asked.
"I left; it was boring. I would rather be here," Harry answered, not breaking their stare.
"Oh," she said. They were silent for a minute. "Do you want to swim?"
Harry grinned. "Love to." He placed his glasses on the chair next to Hermione's and walked over to the pool's edge. "After you, mademoiselle."
Hermione took off her shirt, revealing her tankini. "Yes, sir," she said. She stepped on the first step of the pool, barely getting her feet wet.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You'll never get in at that rate. Watch me." He ran to the side and cannonballed into the water, splashing Hermione.
"You got me wet!" She laughed.
"That was my point," Harry said. He walked next to her. "Hurry up," he whined.
"It's cold," Hermione complained.
"I'm not cold. You should just jump in," Harry said.
"I can't."
"Come on, take a chance," Harry coaxed. "You do want to swim, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Then jump. Come on," he said sweetly.
"Ok, here goes," Hermione said. She closed her eyes and jumped into the pool, creating a huge splash. She screamed. "It's so cold!"
"It gets better," he said softly. She was shivering, so he walked over to her and started rubbing her arms, before he realized what he was doing. "Still cold?" he whispered.
"No." She was hot, her face was hot, her arms were hot from his touch. She felt if she could burn from the heat, as if she would never be cold again.
He took his arms off of her, trembling with joy from being so close to her. "Let's swim," he suggested.
"Ok," she said. They both swam into deeper waters, where Hermione could barely stand up with her head above the water. "I'm too short," she complained.
Harry laughed. "No, you're perfect." He turned towards the deeper end of the pool. "Look," he said, pointing to the floor of deeper waters. "What's that?" He swam off towards it, grabbing her arm and dragging her with him.
"Harry, no," Hermione cried, but Harry couldn't hear her. He dragged her into just before the six foot deep waters, then let go of her wrist and dove down. "I can't stand up here," she moaned, treading water.
Harry came up above the surface. "Look what I found!" It was a baby turtle.
"Is it ok?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "I wonder how it got on the bottom of the pool."
"Go put it on the side," Hermione suggested. "Near the plants."
"Good idea," he whispered and swam off to the side. "There you go," he told the turtle. "Go find your mother." The little turtle started to walk off in the direction of the large palm about three feet from the edge of the pool.
"You saved his life," Hermione said as Harry swam back over to her.
Harry shrugged. "I guess I did." He smiled at her. "What's wrong? Why are you squirming so?"
Hermione sighed. "I can't stand up here, it's too deep, and I hate treading water. I can't do it!"
Harry grinned at her. "Come here," he said as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Lean on me," he whispered.
Hermione put her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Thanks," she whispered, her face burning hot from being so near him.
"You're welcome," Harry murmured. His heart started beating fast because they were so close to each other, their noses were touching. "Hermione," he started. He looked into her eyes and his heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah?" she whispered. Her entire body was trembling violently.
"Uh," Harry started, but he couldn't seem to find any words.
"Um." She bit her lip. Harry brought his face a little closer to hers, which made her shake harder.
"Hermione," Harry whispered again. He didn't know why he was getting closer to her; it was involuntary.
"Yeah?" she murmured so softly it was almost inaudible. Harry didn't answer her, he just tilted his head. Hermione inclined her head the opposite way, and the two drew closer and closer, as in slow motion, until his lips touched hers.
"Hey guys!" A cheerful female voice called. Hermione quickly pulled herself out of Harry's arms and turned to face their visitor.
"Hello Mrs. Chabert," Hermione greeted. She swam towards the shallow end and climbed out of the pool. Harry followed her reluctantly. Goddamn Mrs. Chabert, ruining my wonderful moment with Hermione. I would have gotten to kiss her too, he thought bitterly. It doesn't count as a kiss if my lips were only touching hers for a second.
"Please, call me Chloe!" the woman chuckled. "It's a rarity when I have to tell people that; most young people now have no manners!"
"So unlike yourself," Harry muttered to himself.
"What were you two doing out here?" Chloe asked.
"Talking," Hermione answered. And a bit more, she thought to herself.
"It's so nice you two are such good friends. Friends are often the most important things one can have," Chloe said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. I don't want to be her friend, Harry thought. I want to be more than that.
"Friends are important," Hermione agreed. What just happened to Harry and my friendship? What did we almost do? She asked herself.
Harry walked over to the huge palm tree by the pool. "Hey, Herm, come look!"
"What is it?" she asked, not sure how to act around him anymore.
"Come here," he motioned.
"What?" she asked again, kneeling beside him.
"Look," he pointed. It was the baby turtle. It had found it's mother, and it's mother was protecting some eggs hidden inside a crevice underneath a raised root of the tree.
"Looks like our turtle friend is getting some brothers and sisters," Hermione smiled.
"I guess so," he said and helped her up. "Let's go in."
Hermione nodded, and the two left Chloe and walked up to their apartment in silence. When they arrived there, Hermione noticed that Harry was still holding her hand.
"Sorry," he said, blushing profusely.
"It's ok," she whispered. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight," he said sweetly.
"Night," she whispered, walking out of the room. Harry watched her leave. I love her, he thought. I love her so much that it kills me to be apart from her, even if she's in the next room. David hasn't even seen her in a week. I should be the one marrying her, not him.
And if I had gotten to kiss her, maybe I would be the one marrying her, Harry thought. If only I had gotten to kiss her.
A/N: Please read and review! I really don't have much to say, except I think there's going to be two more parts, k? REVIEW! It makes me feel loved
Disclaimer: Harry & co. belong to J.K. Everyone else belongs to me.