My One And Only

The Renewal

"Harry!" Ron said, "Hermione and I have decided to get back together. We're in love!" Ron pulled Hermione into another kiss. Harry stared at them. Hermione turned away.

"Um, um, congratulations guys!" Harry forced a fake smile and a half-hearted hug to both Hermione and Ron.

"Yeah, thanks...," Hermione said, also forcing a fake smile. There was a long pause where Harry's soulful, green eyes fastened on Hermione's. Hermione started to melt and her soul--yearned for Harry.

"Well, guys! Come on, it's about dinner time. Come, my beautiful queen and good sir!" Ron shouted, while picking up Hermione and heading out of the Gryffindor common room, followed by Harry.

As Hermione walked down the stairs, her sudden flash of love for Ron dissolved. She knew who she loved. But, she could only hope...only hope for the love-her desire. She looked at Harry: his bright green eyes, that beautiful, beautiful scar on his forehead, his skinny body. How could Hermione stay away from him so long?

"Harry! Hey, what's up! You wanna go down to dinner with me?" It was Cho. The girl she had been dreading this whole year. Harry found her quite attractive, lessening her hopes of ever being loved by him.

"Um, yeah! Ron, Hermione, that's okay right? In fact, I have to talk to you Cho," he said. He said it brightly and enthusiastically, but his heart was crying deep down.

"Of course!" said Ron, "I'll meet you guys down there with Hermione."

Oh no, Hermione thought, what if he asks her out? What if she asks him out? He's bound to say yes. Breathe, she told herself, think about your relationship with Ron. They walked down hand and hand. Ron was so happy with her. She loved him, but not the way she loved Harry. Not the way he needed her to love him.

*** ***

"So Harry, what's up?" said Cho.

"Nothing, sexy," Harry said smoothly. He knew it was a joke between him and Cho, but as he said that, he felt like he was betraying the true feelings of his heart.

"Yes, I am. Hahaha. I wanted to ask you something. Now. Here," Cho said. She stroked his cheek. She looked him in his eye and kissed him. It wasn't just any kiss. They were there on the stairs as if they were two people in love. When Harry finally rose to consciousness again and broke away, Cho smiled at him.

"Harry, you're so hot," Cho said innocently, "I mean, I heard about you and Lavender, but who says you can't have some fun. Come on, I want fun. Just a little."

"Me and Lavender? Heard about us? How did you hear that? We're not--"

"Harry, I can't say who told me. But, I know. Shh-don't spoil the fun," Cho pulled him forward and stuck her tongue down Harry's throat. Harry had heard about Cho's provocative ways, but never actually believed it. He didn't know how to pull away, Cho was pretty and really attractive to him.

When they finally broke apart, Harry smiled mischievously. Well, Harry thought, I can't get Hermione, so I might as well have some fun. The walked down hand in hand, Harry whispering small talk in Cho's ear. He was pretty short, but even though she was a year older, she was even shorter. When they entered the Great Hall, everyone turned around and stared. Harry waved good-bye and winked at Cho as she walked to the Ravenclaw table to eat.

"Harry, my man!" Ron shouted, "I can't believe this. How did you, of all people get one of the prettiest girls in the school, other than Hermione of course, to hold your hand? I am impressed, I am impressed!"

"Well, what can I say? We made out. It's official. I have my charm with ladies. Sorry Ron, I'll give you a clinic later," Harry said. He didn't really feel this way. In fact, as he said this, his heart burned in pain. He was having fun , but missing out on the true love he really wanted.

*** ***

Hermione ate her dinner in silence. She headed up the stairs with out a word to anyone. No kiss to Ron. No good-night to Harry. She just laid there in bed for 2 hours. She say Harry and Cho come down to dinner. They acted as if they were love-birds. Aftre dinner, all they did was make out. Even as she was coming up to bed, there they were. Near the Gryffindor tower: making out. How could she let Harry fall into the hands of her? She guessed that everyone BUT Harry had heard about Cho's last relationship with Draco Malfoy. Just like Harry used to be, he was head over heals and mesmerized by her beauty. Just like Harry, one year younger than Cho. Just like Harry was going to be, he was taken advantage of and had his heart-broken, Hermione thought. It was nice to see Malfoy sulk nowadays, but now he was just making out with Pansy Parkinson every minute to rebound. She couldn't just tell Ron it was over. That would tear him apart. But, if she didn't break up with him, she would be torn apart. What to do-what to do.

Hermione woke up at 9:30 the next day. She screamed and hurried to put on her class robes and didn't even bother to brush her hair. Just as she was about to exit the Gryffindor common room and head to Double Potions with Slytherins-- a voice.

"Hey, Hermione! What's the hurry? We have no classes today! Hehe, I'll bet you thought we had Potions with Slytherins."

"How did you know, Harry?" Hermione said, sinking down in a chair and laughing.

"Your face. I know that face. It's the face that dreads to see Snape's angry face as one walks in late for class. I have worn that face so many times," said Harry laughing.

"Yeah, you sure have. Ommmiiiiiggggoooooddd, I am so so tired, Harry. You have no idea."

"It's okay, Herm. No classes today, so just sit down and chill. How are you and Ron?" Harry said, forcing a smile. Hermione didn't know that he was hoping for her to be unhappy.

"Um, we're doing...great! Ron is just such a good friend-boyfriend. He is so cute and sweet. I am so glad that we're a circle of friends. You, me, and Ron."

"That's great. Um, me too. I mean--I'm glad we're friends too. Uh-Hermione, I have to ask you a question. I really need your help. See-there's this girl--" Harry said, getting cut off.

"Oh, Cho? Are things good with you guys?"

"Well, no. Cho and I are kind of just having some fun. I don't feel anything for her," Harry said, as Hermione's heart rose up off of the ground, "Just that--I like this girl, I need to know what to do. I've never felt this way for her before." Hermione's heart sank once more.

"Well, who is it? You can tell me, c'mon. I won't tell, I promise," Hermione said, acting very innocent.

"Well, I don't know. I trust you. It just doesn't...feel right. I guess."

"C'mon, Harry. It's the only way I can help..."Hermione said.

"Well, um, I think I should tell you this. I've been wanting to tell you this for so long. You have no idea. I think I'm in love with--" Harry was cut off by someone who jumped down the stairs and into the common room. He was the guest least expected. Least welcome. He came at just the wrong time, just the wrong time so Harry wasn't able to finish--

Ron.