Harry sat at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee. He was still feeling shaky about his scene with Hermione in the pool the night before. He had been so close…
Ron entered to room; he had dark circles under his eyes. "Hey, when did you get in last night?" Harry asked.
"Three, maybe?" Ron said. "Don't ever ask me another favor again."
"What did I ask you this time?"
"You told me to stay at the stupid bachelor party to watch over David after you left. Don't ever ask me for another favor again."
Harry laughed. "What happened?"
Ron glared at Harry. "No laughing matter, Potter."
"Sorry, what happened?"
Ron sighed. "Being around, say, one hundred extremely drunk people is not my idea of fun."
"Did David do anything?" Harry asked cautiously.
"What did he NOT do was a better question," Ron sighed again. "He didn't cheat on Herm, I'll give you that. Not actually. He kind of did, though."
Harry waved his hand. "I don't want to hear about it. I don't care."
"I'm sure Hermione does. What do you want to tell her?" Ron questioned. "Does she know you weren't there?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "Ron," he began. "Lots of things happened last night."
"Like what?" Ron inquired, suddenly very interested.
"I almost kissed Hermione," Harry said, taking another sip of his coffee.
"How do you mean almost?"
"We were interrupted by Maggie's mother."
Ron chuckled. "Where did you 'almost' kiss her?"
"In the pool. We were swimming," Harry said.
"Ooooh, sexy!" Ron joked.
Harry nodded. "It was." He put his head on the table. "I love her so."
"Love who?" Maggie's mother asked as she came into the room. "I hate to be nosy, but I overheard and I love romances. Do continue."
"You wouldn't know her," Harry lied.
"Well, then tell me who it is. If I don't know her, what difference will it make?"
"Mrs. Chabert," Ron began.
"Chloe. Call me Chloe."
"Chloe, Harry is kind of secretive about these types of things," Ron explained.
"Oh, I get it," Chloe said. "Tell me about her; what is she like?" she asked, completely ignoring Ron's warning.
Harry smiled sadly. "She's beautiful, brilliant, fun, sweet, and absolutely perfect in every way."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Chloe gasped. "I love that! It always takes a strong young man to admit how much he loves a girl."
Ron rolled his eyes, but Harry continued, listing everything he loved about Hermione. "She's a bit short, but I love that. I love her small hands and feet, her brown eyes, her bushy hair, her …" he stopped with a swift kick from Ron from under the table. Harry glared at Ron until he realized that he was giving away Hermione's identity.
Chloe was almost in tears. "Oh, how romantic! Does she feel the same way about you?"
Harry sighed. "I don't know. I haven't told her yet."
"You have to!" Chloe exclaimed. "You absolutely have to! Get on the phone and tell her!"
"I will when the time's right," Harry lied. "I'll tell you what happens, all right?"
"Oh yes, please do!" Chloe cried. "Now, what are you boys doing today?"
"I'm going to a WADD meeting," Ron said.
"A what?"
"WADD. Wizards Against Drunk Driving. We're trying to pass a new law for longer imprisonment of those accused of DUI."
"Are you an active member in that?" Chloe asked.
"Yes. I joined after my dad died in a DUI three years ago. WADD is for wizards and witches who have lost family members and friends to drunk driving," Ron explained.
"That's wonderful that you're so involved," Chloe said.
"Hey Harry, why don't you and Hermione go today? It's a really important meeting, and she hasn't gone in a year."
Harry shook his head. "I think Hermione will most likely be too busy to go to the meeting. The rehearsal dinner's tonight."
"At least ask her. It might be good for her to get her mind of the wedding. It starts at eleven and it's only an hour long," Ron argued.
"I'll ask her, but no promises," Harry said. He got up and left the room. He found Hermione sitting on the couch, with her head in her hands.
She looked up at him. "Hey," she said awkwardly.
"Hey," he said, sitting next to her. "Ron wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the WADD meeting today."
"I really should go, I haven't been in a year," Hermione said. "But I have so much to do!"
"It's a very important meeting. They're trying to push a new law that requires more prison time," Harry told her.
Hermione studied his face for a minute. "My parents will most likely kill me for this, but I'll go."
"Really?" Harry exclaimed.
She laughed. "Really. I need to get away from this for this. This wedding is driving me crazy!"
"Elope," Harry joked.
Hermione shook her head. "David's family would kill him. So many people, business people, are going to be there. They'd loose so much money if they didn't have the wedding."
"You make it sound like it's a business meeting, not a wedding!" Harry cried.
"I think it'll probably be," Hermione sighed. She turned and smiled. "I'll go. When is it?"
Harry checked his watch. "It's ten now, so it starts in an hour. We probably need to leave in half an hour."
"Let me go get ready then," Hermione said, getting up. "See ya'!" she called out as she went down the hall.
"Adios, mi amor," he whispered.
"Ahem," someone cleared her throat from across the room. Harry spun around to see Mrs. Granger standing there.
"Uh, hello Mrs. Granger," Harry said nervously.
"Hello Harry," she said coldly. "I heard what you said." Harry gulped. "Actually, I saw more than that. I saw you two last night, I saw you two horribly flirting yesterday. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Uh," Harry mumbled. He had no clue what to say.
"You love her, don't you?" Mrs. Granger whispered, her gaze softening. She sat down on the couch next to Harry, where Hermione had been sitting down moments before.
"Yes," Harry admitted. "I do."
She smiled. "I do wish it was you she was marrying."
"Why?"
Mrs. Granger snorted. "Who the hell actually likes David Mercenary? I know I don't!"
Harry smiled. "Mrs. Granger," he scolded mockingly.
"Please do call me Caroline. Mrs. Granger sounds so formal," she said.
"All right, Caroline. Why do you think she's marrying him?" Harry asked.
"I have no clue. My daughter is a very intelligent girl, but no leader in common sense. He's too old, she's too young, and he's a wealthy ass," Caroline sighed. "I do wish she was marrying you."
"Why?"
Caroline smiled. "In the last week that I've been here, I've grown very fond of you."
"Really?" Harry asked, flattered.
"You're such a sweet, mischievous, boy. Just like your parents."
Harry felt a lump in his throat. "You knew my parents?"
Caroline nodded. "I was best friends with you mother, before she found that she was a witch. We weren't as close after that, because she went of to school, but we did keep up our friendship. I was a bridesmaid at her wedding." Caroline paused. "Your mother was most likely the nicest person I've ever met; she was very cunning and cheerful. Your father, whom I only met twice, seemed to be very mischievous and charming."
"I can't believe you knew them," Harry said.
"I remember when we were both pregnant, your mother with you and me with Hermione, we used to joke about you two. How you'd fall in love and marry and we'd be family." Caroline sighed. "I guess we got the love part right."
Harry sat still, stunned. "I can't believe this."
"I never told Hermione, well, for obvious reasons. I know how horrible you had it, growing up, and I'm very sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I tried to visit you once," Caroline told him. "I brought Hermione. You both were about three, so I'm sure neither of you remembers. Your aunt recognized me, and I went inside for tea. You and Hermione instantly hit it off and started playing with your cousin's toys, but you cousin started crying because he felt left out. Your aunt blamed his tears on you and Hermione, so I left. I wish I hadn't, but I can't change it."
"I do remember that," Harry said. "A bit. All I remember was that a visitor came with a little girl my age, and Dudley threw a fit."
Caroline laughed. "Yes, that's your first encounter with the Granger family. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when Hermione wrote us and said that one of her best friends was Harry Potter."
Just then Hermione came into the room. "I'm ready!" she called out.
"Let's go then," Ron said, walking out of the kitchen. "Ginny went early so she could help set up."
"Ok," Harry said. "Bye, Caroline."
"Bye Harry," she smiled. "Bye Hermione,"
"Bye mum!" she called as she went out the door. "Harry, where you and my mum talking the entire time I was getting ready?"
"Yeah," Harry admitted.
"What did you talk about?" Hermione asked, bewildered.
"Stuff. She's a very interesting woman," Harry said as they got into the elevator.
"I guess so."
***
"When will we know that the law's been approved?" Hermione asked Harry as they left the WADD meeting.
"We should know by tonight," Ron said. "They'll call me, but I'll pass it along to you." He sighed. "I can't tell you how excited about this law. If it had been around when my dad died, his killer would have stayed in jail for six years, not six months like he did."
Ginny put her hand on Ron's shoulder. "It's so hard," she said. Ron hugged her. "It's the most horrible thing in the world, what they did. It was like betrayal when the police let him out. It's not like this was his first offense!" she cried.
"We don't feel avenged," Ron said. "This law is so that others in our situation don't have to feel this way."
"It's all we can hope for," Ginny whispered. Hermione hugged her and walked her to the cab.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked Ron.
"Not really. I'm so overjoyed by this, but this meeting has brought back some really hard memories," Ron said. This was the most serious Harry had ever seen Ron. We really are all growing up, he thought.
"Where do you want to go to celebrate?" Hermione asked.
Ron shook his head. "We'll celebrate tonight, after we get word of the approval."
"After the rehearsal dinner," Ginny said.
"Yes, we'll all go out and get desert!" Harry exclaimed.
"Why can't we just skip the rehearsal dinner?" Hermione suggested slyly.
"Hermione, it's your wedding!" Ginny exclaimed.
"So?"
"You at least have to be there!"
"I don't care. I don't want to go," Hermione smiled.
"Don't you want to get married?" Ron asked.
"Of course I do," Hermione said, shyly looking at Harry. "I want to get married. I just don't want to go to the dinner."
"Same difference," Harry mumbled to himself. "I'm hungry!" he announced. "If we aren't celebrating, can we at least go and get something to eat?"
"Of course!" Ron said.
"I'm famished," Ginny agreed.
"There's an ice-cream store about a block from here? How about that?" Hermione suggested.
"YES!" They all said in unison.
"Let's go," Ron said, offering his arm to Ginny.
"Why, certainly," she giggled.
Harry turned to Hermione and offered his arm the way Ron did. She shyly took it and they walked down the street in search of ice-cream.
***
When the four arrived home, they found a pleasant surprise waiting for them.
"David!" Hermione exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to let him in; he would have broken the door down," Caroline said.
David chuckled. "You are so funny, Carrie." Caroline cringed at the nickname he gave her.
"Really, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I'd like to ask something of you," he said.
"What?" Hermione inquired.
"Not of you," he snapped. "Harry and Ron, look, I wouldn't be asking this of you if it wasn't absolutely necessary."
"Way to go on buttering us up," Ron muttered under his breath.
"My two friends who were going to be my ushers can't make it, minor snow boarding accident," David explained. "Would you two be in the wedding and be the ushers?"
"Sure!" Ron exclaimed. Harry glared at him. He certainly didn't want to be in the wedding.
"Great, I knew you'd do it!" David said. "Now, I'll see you tonight at seven, all right?"
"Uh, huh," Hermione nodded. She had suddenly become silent and held back, like she was the afternoon at the Cabana Club.
"I've got to run. Chow!" David called as he walked out the door.
"What an ass," Caroline mumbled under her breath.
Harry heard and started laughing.
"What?" Hermione asked him. "What's so funny?"
***
Hermione pulled her dress over her head. It was a satin material, and was a medium blue tone. Ginny had helped her pick it out the week before. Hermione pulled her hair back into a French twist easily with the help of her wand. I look all right, she said. Not really.
She sat down on her bed. Her legs ached from her recent lack of exercise. It's funny, she thought. When I first started running my legs ached horribly, and now they ache when I don't run. She chuckled to herself.
She turned her thoughts back to what happened last night, or what almost happened. Harry had almost kissed her. His lips had been on hers for an instant. She acknowledged something, she felt more electric sparks in the second Harry's lips were touching hers than of all the times David had kissed her.
Don't do this! She screamed. You love David; you're marrying him. Harry didn't want anything more than friendship. Or did he? He did seem eager to kiss her the night before. She cursed Maggie's mother for coming in and ruining the moment. She hadn't seen Maggie all day; she wondered where she was. She laid back on her bed, reflecting a bit on her life so far. It seemed an appropriate time to do so; she was starting a semi-new life with David this time tomorrow.
Hermione had always been perfect. She had always brought home perfect grades, been the model child. She had been a mentor in primary school for the younger kids. She was a perfectionist; nothing she did was ever good enough. She had long ago adopted the philosophy that you could always be better. Hermione always saw so much room for improvement in herself. She was chubby, her teeth were gangly, she was the biggest know-it-all who ever existed.
She had become teacher's pet in every class she ever had, save Potions with Snape. Her teachers used to dote over her, showering her with compliments and bragging about her achievements. Their words always made Hermione feel so good, good about herself. After a while, their praise ceased because they were so used to her above average marks and achievements. So Hermione pushed herself harder. That was why in her third year she used the time turner; wouldn't it be grand if she took all of these classes and make perfect marks! Her teachers would all admire her and praise her efforts.
Ron didn't exactly help her inferiority complex either. He was always teasing her about being bossy and a know-it-all. Although his joking was always good-natured, she took it to heart. Harry had broken her heart so many times, although he wasn't aware of it, that she often didn't know if she could pick up all the pieces. She was so scared of falling for Harry again because he was so capable of hurting her. David wouldn't break her heart.
David could hurt her ego. After him telling her that she was fat and shallow the entire time they were in the Amazon, she started to believe him. She was so fat, and shallow. She didn't deserve anything she ever got. Hermione hated herself. She didn't deserve the ring on her finger, the food in her stomach, the bed in her room. Sometimes, when she was the most depressed, she thought she didn't deserve to live.
Hermione looked one more time in the mirror before she left. I don't deserve this dress; it would flatter someone else so much more. Hermione sighed and left her room feeling very despondent about herself and her life.
***
Harry sat two seats down from Hermione at the rehearsal dinner. They had just gotten to the restaurant from the church, where they had had a run through of the ceremony. The church was lovely, but the ceremony lacked depth, feeling. Maybe it was that everyone was tired and would do better tomorrow, but Harry felt like no one was too excited about the wedding in general.
Hermione was sitting, gazing out the window at the heavily pouring rain absently. Harry watched her closely; she was so beautiful. She was going to kill herself if she went ahead and married this guy. He would eventually drive her insane, or she would become so depressed that she might…. Harry didn't want to think about it.
"Hermione," David's father asked. "I understand that you work for a magical environmental company."
"I own the company," Hermione said proudly.
David laughed and put his arm around Hermione. "She's so proud of her achievements, as trivial they might be." Hermione was silent and folded her hands in her lap. Then she found her voice.
"I don't think owning one of the most successful companies in the wizarding world is anything trivial," Hermione argued.
"Especially at twenty-two," Ron put in. Hermione sent him a smile.
David took his arm away from Hermione in shock. She contradicted him? What nerve! He turned away in anger.
"Well, a little environmental company, that's so cute!" exclaimed David's mother. "What do you do, save the whales?"
"We use our nature around us to find things such a cures for diseases and potions to increase food growth to prevent hunger in third world countries. We're very successful."
"And then," David said. "They waste the majority on profit on saving the whales and the rain forest. Quite a loss, if you ask me."
Hermione sighed and withdrew, resuming her stare out the window. Harry's heart ached for her. He just wanted to hold her and kiss all her problems away. "If they didn't save the whales and the rain forest then we wouldn't have any nature left to cure diseases and feed the hungry," Harry said.
David sent a death glare at Harry, and Hermione sent him a weak smile. He ignored David's stare and relished Hermione's smile. "I don't think you're an expert on such matters?" David asked icily.
"Nor are you," Harry pointed out. David glared at him, but didn't rebuke. He turned away and started talking to his father. Hermione turned to look at Harry, who returned his glance. They sat there for a very long time, just staring into each other's eyes, until David's mother asked Hermione another question and she had to break their gaze.
"Yes?" she asked.
"You never introduced us to your friends," David's mother said.
"Oh, of course!" she exclaimed. "This is Ron Weasley," she said, pointing to Ron, who was sitting across from Harry. "This is Ginny Weasley, Ron's little sister," she quickly hugged Ginny, who was sitting beside her. "And last, but not least, this is Harry Potter," she said, smiling at Harry in a way that made his heart jump.
"Harry Potter, eh?" David's father asked. "I hear you're pretty famous in the wizarding world."
"I am," Harry admitted.
"You're the one who killed what's-his-name, correct?"
Harry nodded, trying to stifle a laugh. It was a first when someone didn't say Voldemort's name not out of fear, but of the fact that they didn't remember his name! He noticed that Ron was laughing to, and Hermione was trying very hard not to giggle.
"What?" David asked. "What's so funny?" That set the trio off, laughing in hysterics.
"I don't know them, I've never seen them before, and they are definitely not my friends," Ginny joked. That made them laugh harder.
"I still don't get it," David whined. You wouldn't get it, you stuck up jerk, Harry thought between guffaws. He turned to look at Hermione, who had a broad smile on her face, her first all evening.
"If you would care to inform us on your childish joke, please feel free," David's father said coldly, making the trio stop mid-laugh. They looked down and suddenly concentrated on their food.
David leaned over and whispered something in Hermione's ear. She looked at him, then gazed outside at the pouring rain. Harry noticed a lone tear fall down her cheek and wanted to pound David to a pulp.
***
After dinner and desert had passed, everyone had gone home except Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Caroline, and Hermione's father, John. They had stayed behind, talking. Hermione had excused herself from the table several minutes ago and had not yet returned.
A sound of a phone ringing interrupted their thoughts. "What's that?" Ginny asked.
"It's a fellyphone, I mean telephone," Ron answered her, taking it out of his pocket. He answered it. "Hello?" He listened for a minute, then his face lit up. "Really?" he asked, fully enthused. "Oh my god!" He cried. "Thank you, thank you!" With that, Ron put his phone down on the table.
"What happened?" Caroline asked.
"It's approved! It's a law! We did it! WADD did it! We did it!" Ron cried. Ginny screamed and hugged Ron, then hugged Harry, then hugged Ron again.
"I'm going to find Hermione," Harry said, getting up from the table.
***
Hermione stood outside in the rain, thinking about what David had said to her. "Don't embarrass me like this again; you'd better not do it again." The words bounced in her head. Was it a warning, a threat? Was he just ticked off at her, or was he genuinely angry? She was bordering on scared. She wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to keep her warm. She felt a few tears fall down her cheeks.
Harry walked outside and saw her. She looked so sad… his heart broke for her. She needed some good news. "Hermione," he said.
She whipped around. "Yeah?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you cold?"
"Just a bit," she admitted. Harry took his jacket off and wrapped it around her. "Thank you," she said.
"Anytime," he smiled. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"No, guess."
"I really don't know! I give up!"
"How can you give up if you haven't tried?" Harry asked her.
"I don't know! Please tell!" Hermione cried.
"The law went through. It's approved. The sentence for DUI in the country of England has been lengthened considerably," he told her, his smile broadening at every word he said.
"Oh my god," Hermione murmured. "Oh my god!" she screamed. "Oh my god!" She ran into Harry's arms and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh my god," she mumbled into his shirt.
Harry was so overcome with joy that he put his arms on her waist and picked her up. "Put me down!" she squealed. He did no such thing. He started spinning her around and around and around until they both got so dizzy they couldn't see straight.
Her eyes met his, and he slowly put her down. She still her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her closer. And closer.
There was a electricity flowing threw his body, a power that he couldn't control, a power that was guiding his face closer to hers.
Hermione shook lightly like she had the night before, out of pure excitement of being this close to Harry. He was so close to her that their noses touched. "Harry," she whispered.
"Yeah?" He bent his head towards her. Their faces grew nearer as in slow motion.
"Oh my god," she whispered so softly. It felt so good to be so close to him, even if she was trembling violently. He edged closer to her, and she leaned in farther. They both closed their eyes at the same time. With one last pause, Harry pushed his lips to Hermione's.
This time their was no one to interrupt. Their kiss started out gentle, but grew so intense and passionate that it shook both of them. Hermione felt so dizzy, dizzier than she had been after Harry had spun her around. She felt like she was melting into him as they pulled each other nearer, until it was physically impossible for them be any closer. It was a deep, wet kiss, one that made the people on the street stare. Harry ran one hand in her hair to cradle her head and push her face closer to his.
It was an interesting site, Harry and Hermione kissing. The rain created a haze around them, and the fact that their clothes were wet let them pull each other closer than previously allowed. Harry felt like his heart was racing so fast that individual beats could not be distinguished. He felt Hermione's heart beating against his chest, and tried to pull her closer. The pure heat between them drove away the cold of the early May rain. The intense electricity that ran through his body was almost to much to bear, but he craved more. While he kissed her, he wanted her more than ever. He wanted to kiss her and touch her and be with her forever. He didn't want this kiss to end.
It did end, for both Hermione and Harry needed to catch their breath. "I, I…" Harry muttered, speechless.
"Um," Hermione said, trying and failing to produce the correct words.
"Um," Harry murmured. "Oh, Hermione," he whispered and bent to kiss her again. This kiss was a passionate as the first one, if not more. It lacked the initial shyness of the first, the timid feel that comes with kissing someone for the first time. Harry pressed as hard as he could against her, and drew her body closer to his.
Hermione felt like her world was spinning with joy. He was kissing her! It felt to good to be true. Then, another feeling washed over her. Fear. She was scared, scared of having her heart broken again, scared of David. Oh, David! She panicked and drew back from Harry.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked sweetly. Hermione looked at him, frightened. She stepped back from his embrace, still looking at him. "What's wrong?" he asked again.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and turned and ran back towards the restaurant. I'm so stupid, she told herself. But, you're engaged. Tears ran down her cheeks. I'm so stupid and scared.
Harry stood in shock, not processing what had just happened. He had been kissing Hermione, the girl he loved, a minute ago, and for no reason, she backed away and ran. Did he scare her? Did he do something wrong? He turned and looked at the street, trying to suppress the next thought that came to him.
Maybe she doesn't love you. Maybe she doesn't care about you.
Shut up! Harry screamed at himself. Shut up! Tears came from his eyes, and he sat down. He curled into a little ball and cried. She doesn't love me, she doesn't love me. He sat and cried.
A/N: Awww! Poor Harry! Well, poor Hermione too, she's the one who's messed up. I have one more part to write, and maybe an epilogue. A question: should the ending be fluffy or dramatic? Fluffy or dramatic? Fluffy (is that even a real word?) or dramatic? I kinda want to do the fluffy ending, but I do have an idea for the dramatic one. Please write it in with your review.
You know, I started off hating this fic, but now I kind of like it. Strange, huh?
Disclaimer: Can't forget the handy dandy disclaimer! I did a really bad one last time and I apologize. Ok, here goes.
J.K. Rowling's: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Snape, Arthur Weasley, James Potter, Lily Potter
Mine: Maggie Chabert, Chloe Chabert, Angie Chabert, Ethan Chabert, David Mercenary, Mr. Mercenary, Mrs. Mercenary
Mixed: The names of Mrs. Granger and Mr. Granger belong to J.K. Rowling, but their first names (Caroline and John) and their personalities belong to me.
Ron entered to room; he had dark circles under his eyes. "Hey, when did you get in last night?" Harry asked.
"Three, maybe?" Ron said. "Don't ever ask me another favor again."
"What did I ask you this time?"
"You told me to stay at the stupid bachelor party to watch over David after you left. Don't ever ask me for another favor again."
Harry laughed. "What happened?"
Ron glared at Harry. "No laughing matter, Potter."
"Sorry, what happened?"
Ron sighed. "Being around, say, one hundred extremely drunk people is not my idea of fun."
"Did David do anything?" Harry asked cautiously.
"What did he NOT do was a better question," Ron sighed again. "He didn't cheat on Herm, I'll give you that. Not actually. He kind of did, though."
Harry waved his hand. "I don't want to hear about it. I don't care."
"I'm sure Hermione does. What do you want to tell her?" Ron questioned. "Does she know you weren't there?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "Ron," he began. "Lots of things happened last night."
"Like what?" Ron inquired, suddenly very interested.
"I almost kissed Hermione," Harry said, taking another sip of his coffee.
"How do you mean almost?"
"We were interrupted by Maggie's mother."
Ron chuckled. "Where did you 'almost' kiss her?"
"In the pool. We were swimming," Harry said.
"Ooooh, sexy!" Ron joked.
Harry nodded. "It was." He put his head on the table. "I love her so."
"Love who?" Maggie's mother asked as she came into the room. "I hate to be nosy, but I overheard and I love romances. Do continue."
"You wouldn't know her," Harry lied.
"Well, then tell me who it is. If I don't know her, what difference will it make?"
"Mrs. Chabert," Ron began.
"Chloe. Call me Chloe."
"Chloe, Harry is kind of secretive about these types of things," Ron explained.
"Oh, I get it," Chloe said. "Tell me about her; what is she like?" she asked, completely ignoring Ron's warning.
Harry smiled sadly. "She's beautiful, brilliant, fun, sweet, and absolutely perfect in every way."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" Chloe gasped. "I love that! It always takes a strong young man to admit how much he loves a girl."
Ron rolled his eyes, but Harry continued, listing everything he loved about Hermione. "She's a bit short, but I love that. I love her small hands and feet, her brown eyes, her bushy hair, her …" he stopped with a swift kick from Ron from under the table. Harry glared at Ron until he realized that he was giving away Hermione's identity.
Chloe was almost in tears. "Oh, how romantic! Does she feel the same way about you?"
Harry sighed. "I don't know. I haven't told her yet."
"You have to!" Chloe exclaimed. "You absolutely have to! Get on the phone and tell her!"
"I will when the time's right," Harry lied. "I'll tell you what happens, all right?"
"Oh yes, please do!" Chloe cried. "Now, what are you boys doing today?"
"I'm going to a WADD meeting," Ron said.
"A what?"
"WADD. Wizards Against Drunk Driving. We're trying to pass a new law for longer imprisonment of those accused of DUI."
"Are you an active member in that?" Chloe asked.
"Yes. I joined after my dad died in a DUI three years ago. WADD is for wizards and witches who have lost family members and friends to drunk driving," Ron explained.
"That's wonderful that you're so involved," Chloe said.
"Hey Harry, why don't you and Hermione go today? It's a really important meeting, and she hasn't gone in a year."
Harry shook his head. "I think Hermione will most likely be too busy to go to the meeting. The rehearsal dinner's tonight."
"At least ask her. It might be good for her to get her mind of the wedding. It starts at eleven and it's only an hour long," Ron argued.
"I'll ask her, but no promises," Harry said. He got up and left the room. He found Hermione sitting on the couch, with her head in her hands.
She looked up at him. "Hey," she said awkwardly.
"Hey," he said, sitting next to her. "Ron wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the WADD meeting today."
"I really should go, I haven't been in a year," Hermione said. "But I have so much to do!"
"It's a very important meeting. They're trying to push a new law that requires more prison time," Harry told her.
Hermione studied his face for a minute. "My parents will most likely kill me for this, but I'll go."
"Really?" Harry exclaimed.
She laughed. "Really. I need to get away from this for this. This wedding is driving me crazy!"
"Elope," Harry joked.
Hermione shook her head. "David's family would kill him. So many people, business people, are going to be there. They'd loose so much money if they didn't have the wedding."
"You make it sound like it's a business meeting, not a wedding!" Harry cried.
"I think it'll probably be," Hermione sighed. She turned and smiled. "I'll go. When is it?"
Harry checked his watch. "It's ten now, so it starts in an hour. We probably need to leave in half an hour."
"Let me go get ready then," Hermione said, getting up. "See ya'!" she called out as she went down the hall.
"Adios, mi amor," he whispered.
"Ahem," someone cleared her throat from across the room. Harry spun around to see Mrs. Granger standing there.
"Uh, hello Mrs. Granger," Harry said nervously.
"Hello Harry," she said coldly. "I heard what you said." Harry gulped. "Actually, I saw more than that. I saw you two last night, I saw you two horribly flirting yesterday. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Uh," Harry mumbled. He had no clue what to say.
"You love her, don't you?" Mrs. Granger whispered, her gaze softening. She sat down on the couch next to Harry, where Hermione had been sitting down moments before.
"Yes," Harry admitted. "I do."
She smiled. "I do wish it was you she was marrying."
"Why?"
Mrs. Granger snorted. "Who the hell actually likes David Mercenary? I know I don't!"
Harry smiled. "Mrs. Granger," he scolded mockingly.
"Please do call me Caroline. Mrs. Granger sounds so formal," she said.
"All right, Caroline. Why do you think she's marrying him?" Harry asked.
"I have no clue. My daughter is a very intelligent girl, but no leader in common sense. He's too old, she's too young, and he's a wealthy ass," Caroline sighed. "I do wish she was marrying you."
"Why?"
Caroline smiled. "In the last week that I've been here, I've grown very fond of you."
"Really?" Harry asked, flattered.
"You're such a sweet, mischievous, boy. Just like your parents."
Harry felt a lump in his throat. "You knew my parents?"
Caroline nodded. "I was best friends with you mother, before she found that she was a witch. We weren't as close after that, because she went of to school, but we did keep up our friendship. I was a bridesmaid at her wedding." Caroline paused. "Your mother was most likely the nicest person I've ever met; she was very cunning and cheerful. Your father, whom I only met twice, seemed to be very mischievous and charming."
"I can't believe you knew them," Harry said.
"I remember when we were both pregnant, your mother with you and me with Hermione, we used to joke about you two. How you'd fall in love and marry and we'd be family." Caroline sighed. "I guess we got the love part right."
Harry sat still, stunned. "I can't believe this."
"I never told Hermione, well, for obvious reasons. I know how horrible you had it, growing up, and I'm very sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I tried to visit you once," Caroline told him. "I brought Hermione. You both were about three, so I'm sure neither of you remembers. Your aunt recognized me, and I went inside for tea. You and Hermione instantly hit it off and started playing with your cousin's toys, but you cousin started crying because he felt left out. Your aunt blamed his tears on you and Hermione, so I left. I wish I hadn't, but I can't change it."
"I do remember that," Harry said. "A bit. All I remember was that a visitor came with a little girl my age, and Dudley threw a fit."
Caroline laughed. "Yes, that's your first encounter with the Granger family. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when Hermione wrote us and said that one of her best friends was Harry Potter."
Just then Hermione came into the room. "I'm ready!" she called out.
"Let's go then," Ron said, walking out of the kitchen. "Ginny went early so she could help set up."
"Ok," Harry said. "Bye, Caroline."
"Bye Harry," she smiled. "Bye Hermione,"
"Bye mum!" she called as she went out the door. "Harry, where you and my mum talking the entire time I was getting ready?"
"Yeah," Harry admitted.
"What did you talk about?" Hermione asked, bewildered.
"Stuff. She's a very interesting woman," Harry said as they got into the elevator.
"I guess so."
***
"When will we know that the law's been approved?" Hermione asked Harry as they left the WADD meeting.
"We should know by tonight," Ron said. "They'll call me, but I'll pass it along to you." He sighed. "I can't tell you how excited about this law. If it had been around when my dad died, his killer would have stayed in jail for six years, not six months like he did."
Ginny put her hand on Ron's shoulder. "It's so hard," she said. Ron hugged her. "It's the most horrible thing in the world, what they did. It was like betrayal when the police let him out. It's not like this was his first offense!" she cried.
"We don't feel avenged," Ron said. "This law is so that others in our situation don't have to feel this way."
"It's all we can hope for," Ginny whispered. Hermione hugged her and walked her to the cab.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked Ron.
"Not really. I'm so overjoyed by this, but this meeting has brought back some really hard memories," Ron said. This was the most serious Harry had ever seen Ron. We really are all growing up, he thought.
"Where do you want to go to celebrate?" Hermione asked.
Ron shook his head. "We'll celebrate tonight, after we get word of the approval."
"After the rehearsal dinner," Ginny said.
"Yes, we'll all go out and get desert!" Harry exclaimed.
"Why can't we just skip the rehearsal dinner?" Hermione suggested slyly.
"Hermione, it's your wedding!" Ginny exclaimed.
"So?"
"You at least have to be there!"
"I don't care. I don't want to go," Hermione smiled.
"Don't you want to get married?" Ron asked.
"Of course I do," Hermione said, shyly looking at Harry. "I want to get married. I just don't want to go to the dinner."
"Same difference," Harry mumbled to himself. "I'm hungry!" he announced. "If we aren't celebrating, can we at least go and get something to eat?"
"Of course!" Ron said.
"I'm famished," Ginny agreed.
"There's an ice-cream store about a block from here? How about that?" Hermione suggested.
"YES!" They all said in unison.
"Let's go," Ron said, offering his arm to Ginny.
"Why, certainly," she giggled.
Harry turned to Hermione and offered his arm the way Ron did. She shyly took it and they walked down the street in search of ice-cream.
***
When the four arrived home, they found a pleasant surprise waiting for them.
"David!" Hermione exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to let him in; he would have broken the door down," Caroline said.
David chuckled. "You are so funny, Carrie." Caroline cringed at the nickname he gave her.
"Really, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I'd like to ask something of you," he said.
"What?" Hermione inquired.
"Not of you," he snapped. "Harry and Ron, look, I wouldn't be asking this of you if it wasn't absolutely necessary."
"Way to go on buttering us up," Ron muttered under his breath.
"My two friends who were going to be my ushers can't make it, minor snow boarding accident," David explained. "Would you two be in the wedding and be the ushers?"
"Sure!" Ron exclaimed. Harry glared at him. He certainly didn't want to be in the wedding.
"Great, I knew you'd do it!" David said. "Now, I'll see you tonight at seven, all right?"
"Uh, huh," Hermione nodded. She had suddenly become silent and held back, like she was the afternoon at the Cabana Club.
"I've got to run. Chow!" David called as he walked out the door.
"What an ass," Caroline mumbled under her breath.
Harry heard and started laughing.
"What?" Hermione asked him. "What's so funny?"
***
Hermione pulled her dress over her head. It was a satin material, and was a medium blue tone. Ginny had helped her pick it out the week before. Hermione pulled her hair back into a French twist easily with the help of her wand. I look all right, she said. Not really.
She sat down on her bed. Her legs ached from her recent lack of exercise. It's funny, she thought. When I first started running my legs ached horribly, and now they ache when I don't run. She chuckled to herself.
She turned her thoughts back to what happened last night, or what almost happened. Harry had almost kissed her. His lips had been on hers for an instant. She acknowledged something, she felt more electric sparks in the second Harry's lips were touching hers than of all the times David had kissed her.
Don't do this! She screamed. You love David; you're marrying him. Harry didn't want anything more than friendship. Or did he? He did seem eager to kiss her the night before. She cursed Maggie's mother for coming in and ruining the moment. She hadn't seen Maggie all day; she wondered where she was. She laid back on her bed, reflecting a bit on her life so far. It seemed an appropriate time to do so; she was starting a semi-new life with David this time tomorrow.
Hermione had always been perfect. She had always brought home perfect grades, been the model child. She had been a mentor in primary school for the younger kids. She was a perfectionist; nothing she did was ever good enough. She had long ago adopted the philosophy that you could always be better. Hermione always saw so much room for improvement in herself. She was chubby, her teeth were gangly, she was the biggest know-it-all who ever existed.
She had become teacher's pet in every class she ever had, save Potions with Snape. Her teachers used to dote over her, showering her with compliments and bragging about her achievements. Their words always made Hermione feel so good, good about herself. After a while, their praise ceased because they were so used to her above average marks and achievements. So Hermione pushed herself harder. That was why in her third year she used the time turner; wouldn't it be grand if she took all of these classes and make perfect marks! Her teachers would all admire her and praise her efforts.
Ron didn't exactly help her inferiority complex either. He was always teasing her about being bossy and a know-it-all. Although his joking was always good-natured, she took it to heart. Harry had broken her heart so many times, although he wasn't aware of it, that she often didn't know if she could pick up all the pieces. She was so scared of falling for Harry again because he was so capable of hurting her. David wouldn't break her heart.
David could hurt her ego. After him telling her that she was fat and shallow the entire time they were in the Amazon, she started to believe him. She was so fat, and shallow. She didn't deserve anything she ever got. Hermione hated herself. She didn't deserve the ring on her finger, the food in her stomach, the bed in her room. Sometimes, when she was the most depressed, she thought she didn't deserve to live.
Hermione looked one more time in the mirror before she left. I don't deserve this dress; it would flatter someone else so much more. Hermione sighed and left her room feeling very despondent about herself and her life.
***
Harry sat two seats down from Hermione at the rehearsal dinner. They had just gotten to the restaurant from the church, where they had had a run through of the ceremony. The church was lovely, but the ceremony lacked depth, feeling. Maybe it was that everyone was tired and would do better tomorrow, but Harry felt like no one was too excited about the wedding in general.
Hermione was sitting, gazing out the window at the heavily pouring rain absently. Harry watched her closely; she was so beautiful. She was going to kill herself if she went ahead and married this guy. He would eventually drive her insane, or she would become so depressed that she might…. Harry didn't want to think about it.
"Hermione," David's father asked. "I understand that you work for a magical environmental company."
"I own the company," Hermione said proudly.
David laughed and put his arm around Hermione. "She's so proud of her achievements, as trivial they might be." Hermione was silent and folded her hands in her lap. Then she found her voice.
"I don't think owning one of the most successful companies in the wizarding world is anything trivial," Hermione argued.
"Especially at twenty-two," Ron put in. Hermione sent him a smile.
David took his arm away from Hermione in shock. She contradicted him? What nerve! He turned away in anger.
"Well, a little environmental company, that's so cute!" exclaimed David's mother. "What do you do, save the whales?"
"We use our nature around us to find things such a cures for diseases and potions to increase food growth to prevent hunger in third world countries. We're very successful."
"And then," David said. "They waste the majority on profit on saving the whales and the rain forest. Quite a loss, if you ask me."
Hermione sighed and withdrew, resuming her stare out the window. Harry's heart ached for her. He just wanted to hold her and kiss all her problems away. "If they didn't save the whales and the rain forest then we wouldn't have any nature left to cure diseases and feed the hungry," Harry said.
David sent a death glare at Harry, and Hermione sent him a weak smile. He ignored David's stare and relished Hermione's smile. "I don't think you're an expert on such matters?" David asked icily.
"Nor are you," Harry pointed out. David glared at him, but didn't rebuke. He turned away and started talking to his father. Hermione turned to look at Harry, who returned his glance. They sat there for a very long time, just staring into each other's eyes, until David's mother asked Hermione another question and she had to break their gaze.
"Yes?" she asked.
"You never introduced us to your friends," David's mother said.
"Oh, of course!" she exclaimed. "This is Ron Weasley," she said, pointing to Ron, who was sitting across from Harry. "This is Ginny Weasley, Ron's little sister," she quickly hugged Ginny, who was sitting beside her. "And last, but not least, this is Harry Potter," she said, smiling at Harry in a way that made his heart jump.
"Harry Potter, eh?" David's father asked. "I hear you're pretty famous in the wizarding world."
"I am," Harry admitted.
"You're the one who killed what's-his-name, correct?"
Harry nodded, trying to stifle a laugh. It was a first when someone didn't say Voldemort's name not out of fear, but of the fact that they didn't remember his name! He noticed that Ron was laughing to, and Hermione was trying very hard not to giggle.
"What?" David asked. "What's so funny?" That set the trio off, laughing in hysterics.
"I don't know them, I've never seen them before, and they are definitely not my friends," Ginny joked. That made them laugh harder.
"I still don't get it," David whined. You wouldn't get it, you stuck up jerk, Harry thought between guffaws. He turned to look at Hermione, who had a broad smile on her face, her first all evening.
"If you would care to inform us on your childish joke, please feel free," David's father said coldly, making the trio stop mid-laugh. They looked down and suddenly concentrated on their food.
David leaned over and whispered something in Hermione's ear. She looked at him, then gazed outside at the pouring rain. Harry noticed a lone tear fall down her cheek and wanted to pound David to a pulp.
***
After dinner and desert had passed, everyone had gone home except Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Caroline, and Hermione's father, John. They had stayed behind, talking. Hermione had excused herself from the table several minutes ago and had not yet returned.
A sound of a phone ringing interrupted their thoughts. "What's that?" Ginny asked.
"It's a fellyphone, I mean telephone," Ron answered her, taking it out of his pocket. He answered it. "Hello?" He listened for a minute, then his face lit up. "Really?" he asked, fully enthused. "Oh my god!" He cried. "Thank you, thank you!" With that, Ron put his phone down on the table.
"What happened?" Caroline asked.
"It's approved! It's a law! We did it! WADD did it! We did it!" Ron cried. Ginny screamed and hugged Ron, then hugged Harry, then hugged Ron again.
"I'm going to find Hermione," Harry said, getting up from the table.
***
Hermione stood outside in the rain, thinking about what David had said to her. "Don't embarrass me like this again; you'd better not do it again." The words bounced in her head. Was it a warning, a threat? Was he just ticked off at her, or was he genuinely angry? She was bordering on scared. She wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to keep her warm. She felt a few tears fall down her cheeks.
Harry walked outside and saw her. She looked so sad… his heart broke for her. She needed some good news. "Hermione," he said.
She whipped around. "Yeah?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you cold?"
"Just a bit," she admitted. Harry took his jacket off and wrapped it around her. "Thank you," she said.
"Anytime," he smiled. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"No, guess."
"I really don't know! I give up!"
"How can you give up if you haven't tried?" Harry asked her.
"I don't know! Please tell!" Hermione cried.
"The law went through. It's approved. The sentence for DUI in the country of England has been lengthened considerably," he told her, his smile broadening at every word he said.
"Oh my god," Hermione murmured. "Oh my god!" she screamed. "Oh my god!" She ran into Harry's arms and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh my god," she mumbled into his shirt.
Harry was so overcome with joy that he put his arms on her waist and picked her up. "Put me down!" she squealed. He did no such thing. He started spinning her around and around and around until they both got so dizzy they couldn't see straight.
Her eyes met his, and he slowly put her down. She still her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her closer. And closer.
There was a electricity flowing threw his body, a power that he couldn't control, a power that was guiding his face closer to hers.
Hermione shook lightly like she had the night before, out of pure excitement of being this close to Harry. He was so close to her that their noses touched. "Harry," she whispered.
"Yeah?" He bent his head towards her. Their faces grew nearer as in slow motion.
"Oh my god," she whispered so softly. It felt so good to be so close to him, even if she was trembling violently. He edged closer to her, and she leaned in farther. They both closed their eyes at the same time. With one last pause, Harry pushed his lips to Hermione's.
This time their was no one to interrupt. Their kiss started out gentle, but grew so intense and passionate that it shook both of them. Hermione felt so dizzy, dizzier than she had been after Harry had spun her around. She felt like she was melting into him as they pulled each other nearer, until it was physically impossible for them be any closer. It was a deep, wet kiss, one that made the people on the street stare. Harry ran one hand in her hair to cradle her head and push her face closer to his.
It was an interesting site, Harry and Hermione kissing. The rain created a haze around them, and the fact that their clothes were wet let them pull each other closer than previously allowed. Harry felt like his heart was racing so fast that individual beats could not be distinguished. He felt Hermione's heart beating against his chest, and tried to pull her closer. The pure heat between them drove away the cold of the early May rain. The intense electricity that ran through his body was almost to much to bear, but he craved more. While he kissed her, he wanted her more than ever. He wanted to kiss her and touch her and be with her forever. He didn't want this kiss to end.
It did end, for both Hermione and Harry needed to catch their breath. "I, I…" Harry muttered, speechless.
"Um," Hermione said, trying and failing to produce the correct words.
"Um," Harry murmured. "Oh, Hermione," he whispered and bent to kiss her again. This kiss was a passionate as the first one, if not more. It lacked the initial shyness of the first, the timid feel that comes with kissing someone for the first time. Harry pressed as hard as he could against her, and drew her body closer to his.
Hermione felt like her world was spinning with joy. He was kissing her! It felt to good to be true. Then, another feeling washed over her. Fear. She was scared, scared of having her heart broken again, scared of David. Oh, David! She panicked and drew back from Harry.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked sweetly. Hermione looked at him, frightened. She stepped back from his embrace, still looking at him. "What's wrong?" he asked again.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and turned and ran back towards the restaurant. I'm so stupid, she told herself. But, you're engaged. Tears ran down her cheeks. I'm so stupid and scared.
Harry stood in shock, not processing what had just happened. He had been kissing Hermione, the girl he loved, a minute ago, and for no reason, she backed away and ran. Did he scare her? Did he do something wrong? He turned and looked at the street, trying to suppress the next thought that came to him.
Maybe she doesn't love you. Maybe she doesn't care about you.
Shut up! Harry screamed at himself. Shut up! Tears came from his eyes, and he sat down. He curled into a little ball and cried. She doesn't love me, she doesn't love me. He sat and cried.
A/N: Awww! Poor Harry! Well, poor Hermione too, she's the one who's messed up. I have one more part to write, and maybe an epilogue. A question: should the ending be fluffy or dramatic? Fluffy or dramatic? Fluffy (is that even a real word?) or dramatic? I kinda want to do the fluffy ending, but I do have an idea for the dramatic one. Please write it in with your review.
You know, I started off hating this fic, but now I kind of like it. Strange, huh?
Disclaimer: Can't forget the handy dandy disclaimer! I did a really bad one last time and I apologize. Ok, here goes.
J.K. Rowling's: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Snape, Arthur Weasley, James Potter, Lily Potter
Mine: Maggie Chabert, Chloe Chabert, Angie Chabert, Ethan Chabert, David Mercenary, Mr. Mercenary, Mrs. Mercenary
Mixed: The names of Mrs. Granger and Mr. Granger belong to J.K. Rowling, but their first names (Caroline and John) and their personalities belong to me.