A/N: Who would have thought I was ALIVE? Ya I'm sorry about that TINY delay, but my social life kinda put this on the back burner for a while. Here's a decision that I know will make you sad or will make you want to go kiss your unsuspecting mailman (or woman): I'm discontinuing When James Met Lily, or whatever it's called. I've lost interest and I know I didn't end at the best place, but I'm BORED WITH IT. I can only write when I have time, and that will be never for I'm off to school next year and I'll have NO free time. So, again sorry, and here's the LONG awaited Part 6...
Part 6: Chapters 21 - 25
Chapter 21
"Are you sure this is safe?" Ron asked for the hundredth time. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender were waiting in a Muggle airport in London.
"Ron," said Harry. "You're safer in the air than on the ground."
"I find that quite hard to believe," said Ron. Hermione sighed.
"Harry meant," she explained. "That you're safer in an airplane than in a car."
"Well why didn't he say that then?" asked Ron.
"Flight 434 to Bulgaria is now boarding First Class and those that require assistance," said the flight attendant.
"Only a few more minutes," said Hermione. "Then we'll be in Bulgaria in about twelve hours (A/N: I looked in an atlas and thought that it might be appropriate for flying time). I can't wait for you all to meet his fianc‚e, she's beautiful."
"She's probably not as beautiful as you," said Harry. Ron groaned.
"Suck up," he coughed, so as not to be heard, but it didn't work. Hermione laughed and Harry hit him round the head.
"Damn straight," said Hermione. "You should try it sometime, it might get you somewhere." Lavender nodded her head in agreement.
"Flight 434 to Bulgaria is now boarding rows one through ten, rows one through ten," said the flight attendant.
"That's us," said Lavender. "I'm so excited. I love weddings." They boarded the plane, stowed their luggage, and sat down. Harry, who was sitting next to Hermione, started to get jittery.
"What's the matter, Harry?" asked Hermione. "Are you okay?"
"I've never flown before," said Harry. "In a plane, I mean. The Dursley's never took me anywhere..."
"Not if we could help it, we wouldn't," said a voice from the row of seats behind. "What are you doing on a plane, boy?" Harry visibly gulped. He slowly turned around. Hermione turned around as well and looked into a pair of piggy eyes belonging to a whale of a boy. He smiled at her and she nearly barfed.
"Hello Uncle Vernon," said Harry, calmly. "How are you?"
"I was fine until you turned up," barked the man. "What're you doing on a plane? How'd you get the money?"
"I'm going to a wedding of a friend," said Harry. "Viktor Krum. Hermione lent me the money."
"Where are your manners, Harry?" smirked Dudley. "Introduce us."
"Dudley, this is Hermione Granger, top student at Hogwarts. Hermione, this is my cousin, Dudley." It was Harry's turn to smirk. All of the color had drained out of Dudley's face. Dudley's hands slowly inched toward his bottom, which occupied two seats.
"What are you doing in Bulgaria?" asked Hermione, trying to keep things friendly.
"We're on a family trip, not that it's any of your business," snapped a horse-faced woman sitting next to Harry's uncle. Harry and Hermione turned back around. It was going to be a long trip. They sat back in their seats. Hermione laid her head on Harry's chest and he put his head on hers. Hermione slowly started to drift off to sleep.
TWELVE HOURS LATER...
"Hermione," whispered Harry. "Wake up. We're here." Hermione had been dozing on and off throughout the flight. She leaned back over into her seat and stretched.
"Please put your seat backs and tray tables in the upright and locked position," said the flight attendant. "We will be landing shortly." Hermione looked out her window: she was looking straight up to the sky. She saw Ron across the way tightly gripping the armrest.
When they landed, Hermione got out her passport. As they got off the plane, Hermione saw Viktor standing in the waiting area. He waved. Hermione ran over and hugged him.
"Congratulations, Viktor," said Hermione.
"Thank you," he said. They followed him to the luggage wheel. When they had their luggage, Harry, Hermione, Lavender and Ron slowly made their way through customs. They found Viktor's car and sitting at the wheel was a very pretty young woman.
"Friends," said Viktor. "This is Natasha."
"Hello all," said Natasha. "Nice to meet you all, Hermione, good to see you again."
"Natasha," said Ron. "Why don't you have a accent?"
"I originally grew up in America. We moved to Bulgaria when my mother died and I attended Durmstrang. Hop in, I'll pop the trunk and you can put your stuff in." Harry and Ron took the girls' luggage and heaved it into the trunk. Viktor got into the passenger's side and they were off. They drove for half an hour before stopping outside a large, Victorian looking house with white clap-board and blue shutters.
Hermione got out of the car and looked around. Mr. And Mrs. Krum came running out of the house. They spotted Hermione and planted to large kisses on her cheeks.
"Hello, how have you been?" asked Hermione. Mrs. Krum said something in Bulgarian that no one understood except Natasha and Viktor.
"She says she's missed you and is happy that you could come," said Natasha. "You want to go upstairs and unpack?"
"That'd be really nice," said Lavender. "I'm dead tired."
"Same here," said Hermione. Hermione picked up her bag and followed Natasha out to the guest house.
"You'll be staying in the guest house. It has more than enough room and good access to the pool," said Natasha. "The only reason you'll be out here is because I have family and Viktor has family coming and it might be a bit rude to put them in the guest house. Can I ask that you four calm your raging hormones for one week?" Hermione blushed as did Ron. Harry looked at the ground and Lavender nodded meekly.
"No problem," said Lavender, finally. Natasha winked at them and left.
"How should we divide this up?" asked Hermione. "Do you want to share rooms or does everyone want their own?"
"Oh," said Natasha, running in again. "You'll have a few of my cousins coming in to stay with you. Sorry, but you guys'll have to share rooms."
"That's okay," said Hermione. "At least we get first pick." Lavender and Hermione set off to find rooms. They wandered through the kitchenette and the dining room until they found a back stairway. Hermione led the way up the rickety narrow stairs, until she found herself in a long hallway lined with doors. Hermione walked halfway down and randomly opened a door. It was a linen closet. The one next to it was a bathroom. She walked across from the bathroom and opened another door. She walked into a beautiful pale blue room with dancing stars on the wallpaper. There were two double beds made up with matching bed linen.
"Ohhhhh," squealed Lavender. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's a wonderful room," said Hermione. "Look, we've got a skylight." Hermione walked over, set her bag on the luggage rack at the foot of her bed and lay down. She looked up at the skylight and it took a while for her to realize what she was looking at. There were two twin faces looking back at her. Hermione screamed.
Chapter 22
Harry and Ron came running in at the sound of Hermione's scream.
"What is it?" asked Ron. Hermione pointed up. The twin faces were still there, smiling back. The faces disappeared and they heard footsteps on the stairs. Five minutes later, the twins appeared.
"Yikes," said one.
"Yeah," said the other.
"What?" asked Harry.
"She screams loud," said the first. The second one opened her mouth.
"Are you..." she started.
"Yeah," said Harry. "She also happens to be my girlfriend. Who are you?"
"I'm Annie," said the first. "This is Maggie. We're Natasha's twin sisters. Who are you?"
"I'm Hermione," said Hermione. "This, as you have probably guessed, is Harry. That's Ron and that's Lavender. What were you doing staring into our room like that?"
"It's an inside joke," said Annie.
"And you're on the outside," said Maggie. The twins doubled over into fits of giggles. Hermione rolled her eyes, first Lavender, now the twins. The only way she would get through the week was Harry.
"Nice to meet you," said Harry politely, with a look at Hermione.
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As the week progressed, Natasha got more and more nervous, Lavender got more and more giddy, the twins giggled more and more frequently and Hermione was getting more and more headaches. Harry and Ron would disappear every morning before Hermione was awake and they wouldn't be back until one or two in the afternoon. She desperately wanted them to take her with them, but they refused.
"What'll Lavender do?" asked Ron.
"I don't know Ron," said Hermione. "She's your date."
"Mimi," said Harry. "Don't worry about it. Go swimming, hiking, you could even go shopping if you wanted to. If you're so bored, do something active."
"Will you at least tell me where you go?" asked Hermione.
"Mimi," said Ron. "The more you ask, the more we won't want to tell you."
"Whatever," said Hermione. "Don't forget that the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night."
"We're never later than two," said Ron. "The place closes at one-thirty...OOF" Ron was cut off by Harry elbowing him hard in the stomach.
That afternoon, Harry and Hermione went to town to eat lunch. They found a tiny caf‚ on a remote side street. Hermione took a sip of her Coke and realized Harry was looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied.
"Don't look at me like that," said Hermione.
"Like what?" asked Harry. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You know what I'm talking about," she said.
"Sorry," said Harry. "But I can't help thinking how beautiful you look."
"Flattery can only get you so far," said Hermione. "There's something that's been nagging me for a while though. Promise you'll answer me honestly?"
"Sure," said Harry. "Fire at will."
"Well, you had a thing for Cho last year, right?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," said Harry, going red. "Why?"
"Well, I was thinking," said Hermione. "What happened?"
"I wrote to her in August, asking her if she liked me," said Harry. "She wrote back to me saying that she did, but she thought that it wouldn't work because real love was right under my nose. I spent three weeks trying to figure out who."
"You think it's me?" asked Hermione.
"Why wouldn't it be?" asked Harry. "Frankly, you're the only girl I can stand in our house and year. Parvati has hated me since the Yule Ball, and Lavender, is well, Lavender. You, on the other hand, are sweet, funny, smart and a good person who isn't self absorbed."
"Having you as a boyfriend might change that," said Hermione. "With all this flattery I might become egocentric."
"Well," said Harry. "That'd be a crying shame. Should I stop complimenting you?"
"By all means no," said Hermione. "I wouldn't want you running off with an idea like that. Besides, with your fame, I should be egocentric for you. God knows you aren't."
"Well," said Harry. "I try, I really do." Hermione laughed and Harry smiled at her a smile that made her heart melt. "So Lavender keeps going on and on about this dress of yours."
"She made me promise not to tell you," said Hermione with an apologetic look. "I would, but I can't. You really won't recognize me though. I look so different in this dress."
"Good different of bad different?" asked Harry.
"Depends on who you are," said Hermione. "I'll make you a deal. If you tell me where you go every morning I'll tell you what my dress looks like."
"You'll find out at the wedding," said Harry.
"Then so will you," said Hermione.
Chapter 23
The next night was the rehearsal dinner. The reception was catered by a small wizard catering business called Ceno Cena and was to take place in the massive backyard at the Krum residence. There was a large tent set up with numerous tables scattered around a wooden dance floor. Lavender persuaded Hermione to get dressed up a little. Hermione was dressed in a simple black knee length skirt and white button down shirt. She was wearing the necklace Lavender had bought her, and allowed Lavender to put the bare minimum of makeup on.
"You look nice," said Harry.
"You don't look bad yourself," said Hermione. It was true, Harry looked especially nice. He was wearing khakis, a blue button down shirt and a navy blazer that actually fit him for a change.
"Shall we sit?" asked Harry. He pulled out her chair for her. Hermione sat down and put her napkin in her lap. Harry sat down next to her, with Ron on her other side.
"Thank you all for coming," said Natasha. "I really appreciate it, truly. This is going to be a special day for Viktor and I and we're truly glad that you are all here to share it with us. Enjoy your meal." She sat down. The waiters started coming around, serving the guests of which there were about three hundred. The music started up and Harry turned to Hermione.
"May I have this dance?"
"Of course," replied Hermione. A slow song started, and the female singer stood at the microphone.
"You found hope, you found faith, found how fast she could take it away, found true love, lost your heart, now you don't know who you are. She made it easy, made it free, made you hurt till you couldn't see. Sometimes it stops, sometimes it floats, but baby that is how love goes.
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall.
"It's a secret, that no one tells, one day it's heaven, one day its hell, and it's no fairy tale, take it from me, that's the way it's supposed to be
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall.
"You laugh, you cry, no one knows why, but oh the thrill of it all, your on the ride you might as well open your eyes
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall. Even angels fall, even angels fall."
"Hermione," said Harry.
"Yes?" asked Hermione.
"Do you know how much I like you?" he asked.
"Well, I know that you like me, otherwise I'd be dancing with someone else watching jealously as you danced closely with someone, her head on your shoulder, your chin resting on her head, smelling her hair, but I don't know to what extent you like me," replied Hermione. Harry laughed and kissed the top of her head.
"Being with you makes me happy," said Harry. "Knowing that you're always there when I need to talk to someone who cares, knowing that when I've had a bad day, I have someone to complain to, even when you're on top of the world. When I see you in the morning, I smile and this horrible load that has made me a beast of burden lightens. Just your smile makes Voldemort seem a little less important. Even when the world is being a bitch, I have you to talk to. You are always there for me, even when I'm in my worst moods."
"Oh, Harry, stop," said Hermione. "You're embarrassing me."
"Well it's true," said Harry.
"Harry, there's something I have to tell you," said Hermione.
Chapter 24
"I haven't been completely honest with you," continued Hermione.
"What?" asked Harry. "You're related to Voldemort?" He laughed.
"Not quite," said Hermione. "Nothing like that really. This may take a while, so why don't we go back to the guest house?"
"Okay," said Harry uneasily.
"Don't worry, it's not horrible, just something I think you might want to know," said Hermione. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. They walked silently to the guest house, Hermione wondering how she was going to phrase her story. When they reached the guest house, Hermione and Harry sat down in the living room.
"It's a long story, so before we start, why don't you make some tea or cocoa, and we'll get comfortable on the couch?" asked Hermione.
"Okay," said Harry. "Run upstairs and get some pillows and blankets, it looks like rain anyway." Hermione went up and got a few pillows from the spare bedroom and some blankets from the linen closet. As she passed her room, she saw a tiny box protruding from under her bed. She set down the bundle in her arms and knelt on the ground and picked it up. It was what she thought it was.
"Oh well," said Hermione to herself. "It might help." She went back to the door with the box and picked up the blankets and pillows. When she got downstairs, Harry was sitting on the couch, waiting for her. He patted the cushion on the couch next to him and she sat down. Harry handed Hermione a glass of cocoa and she snuggled up against him.
"There's more on the stove if we need it," said Harry. "So what's this big story?"
"Well," said Hermione. "I don't really know where to begin.
"I don't know if you know, but I was adopted when I was two years old, but my parents died right after I was born, meaning I can't remember anything about them. I had a happy childhood with my adoptive parents. I had a sister to play with after a few months and they loved me and I loved them. My parents had always been very open that I was adopted and told me what they knew about my family. I had had a father and a mother named David and Joanna Smith and a big sister named Allison, who was three years my senior.
"That was what my parents knew and I was content with that information until recently. Over the summer, I had a little bit of free time after I finished my homework, about a day or two before school started, so I went to the Library in search of something to do. I was just sitting and staring at the newspaper until I came across the obituary section, and I got the idea to look up about my parents' death. So I went upstairs to the stacks where they keep the old newspapers. I looked at the pines of the books until I saw the number 1981, the year my parents were killed. I opened the book and skimmed through the later months. There, in December, I saw it. Under the headline was a picture, and in the picture were my family, my mother, father, sister, and me, and another family. Your family, Harry, and Peter, as well. He was standing there, in the back round but he was there. I read the headline, and it said, 'SMITH'S KILLED BY GAS EXPLOSION IN KITCHEN. ONLY BABY HERMIONE SURVIVES.' I knew that wasn't right, so the next day I got on a bus and went to the place where my family had lived, Godric's Hollow, which might be familiar to you too. I went to the local police station and asked to see the records of the Smiths' deaths. In the coroner's report it said there was no explanation for their deaths, they all just looked scared. In the police report, it said there was a mark etched on the door of a skull with a snake coming out of the mouth. They were killed by Voldemort Harry, Voldemort and Wormtail."
Chapter 25
"Well," said Harry in an unnaturally high voice. "I think I'm going to have to sleep on this for a little bit." He got up and went to bed, slamming the door behind him and leaving Hermione and the storm alone. Hermione sat for a long time, mulling over what she had just told Harry. Hermione eventually decided to go back to the party, where Ron and Lavender looked at her quizzically.
"Later," said Hermione. "I'll tell you later." She sat alone at the table for a while, watching Ron and Lavender dance. They looked nice together. Half an hour later, Ron appeared next to her.
"What happened?" asked Ron.
"I told him," said Hermione. "And he took it like I knew he would. The problem is, now we're together it's harder that he's not talking to me."
"Dance with me," said Ron. "You'll feel better."
"Alright Ron," said Hermione.
"Gray ceiling on the earth, well it's lasted for a while, take my thoughts for what they're worth, I've been acting like a child. Your opinion? What is that? It's just a different point of view. What else, what else can I do, I said I'm sorry, yeah, I'm sorry. I said I'm sorry but what for? If I hurt you then I hate myself I don't want hate myself, don't want to hurt you. Why do you choose your pain? If you only knew how much I love you, love you.
"Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here.
"Old picture on the shelf, it's been there for a while. Frozen image of ourselves, we were acting like a child. Innocent and in a trance in a dance that lasted for a while. You read my eyes just like a diary, oh remember, please remember. Well I'm not a beggar, but what's more if I hurt you then I hate myself, I don't want to hurt you. Why do you choose your pain? If you only knew how much I love you.
"Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. No, well I won't be your winter cause I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, and I will be here."
"May I cut in?" asked Harry.
"Harry, I..."started Hermione.
"Hermione, listen to me," interrupted Harry. "I've thought about your story, and I wish you had told me sooner, but that doesn't change anything. I love you."
Awwwwwwwwwww. This is sorta dedicated to my boyfriend Will, I love ya hun. R/R, or not. Here's the usual:
Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING!!! JRK does, except for a few minor characters created by me that you won't ever hear from again because they died without being fed. I TOLD my friend to come by and feed them while I was on vacation but she forgot, so blame her, not me.
Part 6: Chapters 21 - 25
Chapter 21
"Are you sure this is safe?" Ron asked for the hundredth time. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender were waiting in a Muggle airport in London.
"Ron," said Harry. "You're safer in the air than on the ground."
"I find that quite hard to believe," said Ron. Hermione sighed.
"Harry meant," she explained. "That you're safer in an airplane than in a car."
"Well why didn't he say that then?" asked Ron.
"Flight 434 to Bulgaria is now boarding First Class and those that require assistance," said the flight attendant.
"Only a few more minutes," said Hermione. "Then we'll be in Bulgaria in about twelve hours (A/N: I looked in an atlas and thought that it might be appropriate for flying time). I can't wait for you all to meet his fianc‚e, she's beautiful."
"She's probably not as beautiful as you," said Harry. Ron groaned.
"Suck up," he coughed, so as not to be heard, but it didn't work. Hermione laughed and Harry hit him round the head.
"Damn straight," said Hermione. "You should try it sometime, it might get you somewhere." Lavender nodded her head in agreement.
"Flight 434 to Bulgaria is now boarding rows one through ten, rows one through ten," said the flight attendant.
"That's us," said Lavender. "I'm so excited. I love weddings." They boarded the plane, stowed their luggage, and sat down. Harry, who was sitting next to Hermione, started to get jittery.
"What's the matter, Harry?" asked Hermione. "Are you okay?"
"I've never flown before," said Harry. "In a plane, I mean. The Dursley's never took me anywhere..."
"Not if we could help it, we wouldn't," said a voice from the row of seats behind. "What are you doing on a plane, boy?" Harry visibly gulped. He slowly turned around. Hermione turned around as well and looked into a pair of piggy eyes belonging to a whale of a boy. He smiled at her and she nearly barfed.
"Hello Uncle Vernon," said Harry, calmly. "How are you?"
"I was fine until you turned up," barked the man. "What're you doing on a plane? How'd you get the money?"
"I'm going to a wedding of a friend," said Harry. "Viktor Krum. Hermione lent me the money."
"Where are your manners, Harry?" smirked Dudley. "Introduce us."
"Dudley, this is Hermione Granger, top student at Hogwarts. Hermione, this is my cousin, Dudley." It was Harry's turn to smirk. All of the color had drained out of Dudley's face. Dudley's hands slowly inched toward his bottom, which occupied two seats.
"What are you doing in Bulgaria?" asked Hermione, trying to keep things friendly.
"We're on a family trip, not that it's any of your business," snapped a horse-faced woman sitting next to Harry's uncle. Harry and Hermione turned back around. It was going to be a long trip. They sat back in their seats. Hermione laid her head on Harry's chest and he put his head on hers. Hermione slowly started to drift off to sleep.
TWELVE HOURS LATER...
"Hermione," whispered Harry. "Wake up. We're here." Hermione had been dozing on and off throughout the flight. She leaned back over into her seat and stretched.
"Please put your seat backs and tray tables in the upright and locked position," said the flight attendant. "We will be landing shortly." Hermione looked out her window: she was looking straight up to the sky. She saw Ron across the way tightly gripping the armrest.
When they landed, Hermione got out her passport. As they got off the plane, Hermione saw Viktor standing in the waiting area. He waved. Hermione ran over and hugged him.
"Congratulations, Viktor," said Hermione.
"Thank you," he said. They followed him to the luggage wheel. When they had their luggage, Harry, Hermione, Lavender and Ron slowly made their way through customs. They found Viktor's car and sitting at the wheel was a very pretty young woman.
"Friends," said Viktor. "This is Natasha."
"Hello all," said Natasha. "Nice to meet you all, Hermione, good to see you again."
"Natasha," said Ron. "Why don't you have a accent?"
"I originally grew up in America. We moved to Bulgaria when my mother died and I attended Durmstrang. Hop in, I'll pop the trunk and you can put your stuff in." Harry and Ron took the girls' luggage and heaved it into the trunk. Viktor got into the passenger's side and they were off. They drove for half an hour before stopping outside a large, Victorian looking house with white clap-board and blue shutters.
Hermione got out of the car and looked around. Mr. And Mrs. Krum came running out of the house. They spotted Hermione and planted to large kisses on her cheeks.
"Hello, how have you been?" asked Hermione. Mrs. Krum said something in Bulgarian that no one understood except Natasha and Viktor.
"She says she's missed you and is happy that you could come," said Natasha. "You want to go upstairs and unpack?"
"That'd be really nice," said Lavender. "I'm dead tired."
"Same here," said Hermione. Hermione picked up her bag and followed Natasha out to the guest house.
"You'll be staying in the guest house. It has more than enough room and good access to the pool," said Natasha. "The only reason you'll be out here is because I have family and Viktor has family coming and it might be a bit rude to put them in the guest house. Can I ask that you four calm your raging hormones for one week?" Hermione blushed as did Ron. Harry looked at the ground and Lavender nodded meekly.
"No problem," said Lavender, finally. Natasha winked at them and left.
"How should we divide this up?" asked Hermione. "Do you want to share rooms or does everyone want their own?"
"Oh," said Natasha, running in again. "You'll have a few of my cousins coming in to stay with you. Sorry, but you guys'll have to share rooms."
"That's okay," said Hermione. "At least we get first pick." Lavender and Hermione set off to find rooms. They wandered through the kitchenette and the dining room until they found a back stairway. Hermione led the way up the rickety narrow stairs, until she found herself in a long hallway lined with doors. Hermione walked halfway down and randomly opened a door. It was a linen closet. The one next to it was a bathroom. She walked across from the bathroom and opened another door. She walked into a beautiful pale blue room with dancing stars on the wallpaper. There were two double beds made up with matching bed linen.
"Ohhhhh," squealed Lavender. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's a wonderful room," said Hermione. "Look, we've got a skylight." Hermione walked over, set her bag on the luggage rack at the foot of her bed and lay down. She looked up at the skylight and it took a while for her to realize what she was looking at. There were two twin faces looking back at her. Hermione screamed.
Chapter 22
Harry and Ron came running in at the sound of Hermione's scream.
"What is it?" asked Ron. Hermione pointed up. The twin faces were still there, smiling back. The faces disappeared and they heard footsteps on the stairs. Five minutes later, the twins appeared.
"Yikes," said one.
"Yeah," said the other.
"What?" asked Harry.
"She screams loud," said the first. The second one opened her mouth.
"Are you..." she started.
"Yeah," said Harry. "She also happens to be my girlfriend. Who are you?"
"I'm Annie," said the first. "This is Maggie. We're Natasha's twin sisters. Who are you?"
"I'm Hermione," said Hermione. "This, as you have probably guessed, is Harry. That's Ron and that's Lavender. What were you doing staring into our room like that?"
"It's an inside joke," said Annie.
"And you're on the outside," said Maggie. The twins doubled over into fits of giggles. Hermione rolled her eyes, first Lavender, now the twins. The only way she would get through the week was Harry.
"Nice to meet you," said Harry politely, with a look at Hermione.
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As the week progressed, Natasha got more and more nervous, Lavender got more and more giddy, the twins giggled more and more frequently and Hermione was getting more and more headaches. Harry and Ron would disappear every morning before Hermione was awake and they wouldn't be back until one or two in the afternoon. She desperately wanted them to take her with them, but they refused.
"What'll Lavender do?" asked Ron.
"I don't know Ron," said Hermione. "She's your date."
"Mimi," said Harry. "Don't worry about it. Go swimming, hiking, you could even go shopping if you wanted to. If you're so bored, do something active."
"Will you at least tell me where you go?" asked Hermione.
"Mimi," said Ron. "The more you ask, the more we won't want to tell you."
"Whatever," said Hermione. "Don't forget that the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night."
"We're never later than two," said Ron. "The place closes at one-thirty...OOF" Ron was cut off by Harry elbowing him hard in the stomach.
That afternoon, Harry and Hermione went to town to eat lunch. They found a tiny caf‚ on a remote side street. Hermione took a sip of her Coke and realized Harry was looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied.
"Don't look at me like that," said Hermione.
"Like what?" asked Harry. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You know what I'm talking about," she said.
"Sorry," said Harry. "But I can't help thinking how beautiful you look."
"Flattery can only get you so far," said Hermione. "There's something that's been nagging me for a while though. Promise you'll answer me honestly?"
"Sure," said Harry. "Fire at will."
"Well, you had a thing for Cho last year, right?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," said Harry, going red. "Why?"
"Well, I was thinking," said Hermione. "What happened?"
"I wrote to her in August, asking her if she liked me," said Harry. "She wrote back to me saying that she did, but she thought that it wouldn't work because real love was right under my nose. I spent three weeks trying to figure out who."
"You think it's me?" asked Hermione.
"Why wouldn't it be?" asked Harry. "Frankly, you're the only girl I can stand in our house and year. Parvati has hated me since the Yule Ball, and Lavender, is well, Lavender. You, on the other hand, are sweet, funny, smart and a good person who isn't self absorbed."
"Having you as a boyfriend might change that," said Hermione. "With all this flattery I might become egocentric."
"Well," said Harry. "That'd be a crying shame. Should I stop complimenting you?"
"By all means no," said Hermione. "I wouldn't want you running off with an idea like that. Besides, with your fame, I should be egocentric for you. God knows you aren't."
"Well," said Harry. "I try, I really do." Hermione laughed and Harry smiled at her a smile that made her heart melt. "So Lavender keeps going on and on about this dress of yours."
"She made me promise not to tell you," said Hermione with an apologetic look. "I would, but I can't. You really won't recognize me though. I look so different in this dress."
"Good different of bad different?" asked Harry.
"Depends on who you are," said Hermione. "I'll make you a deal. If you tell me where you go every morning I'll tell you what my dress looks like."
"You'll find out at the wedding," said Harry.
"Then so will you," said Hermione.
Chapter 23
The next night was the rehearsal dinner. The reception was catered by a small wizard catering business called Ceno Cena and was to take place in the massive backyard at the Krum residence. There was a large tent set up with numerous tables scattered around a wooden dance floor. Lavender persuaded Hermione to get dressed up a little. Hermione was dressed in a simple black knee length skirt and white button down shirt. She was wearing the necklace Lavender had bought her, and allowed Lavender to put the bare minimum of makeup on.
"You look nice," said Harry.
"You don't look bad yourself," said Hermione. It was true, Harry looked especially nice. He was wearing khakis, a blue button down shirt and a navy blazer that actually fit him for a change.
"Shall we sit?" asked Harry. He pulled out her chair for her. Hermione sat down and put her napkin in her lap. Harry sat down next to her, with Ron on her other side.
"Thank you all for coming," said Natasha. "I really appreciate it, truly. This is going to be a special day for Viktor and I and we're truly glad that you are all here to share it with us. Enjoy your meal." She sat down. The waiters started coming around, serving the guests of which there were about three hundred. The music started up and Harry turned to Hermione.
"May I have this dance?"
"Of course," replied Hermione. A slow song started, and the female singer stood at the microphone.
"You found hope, you found faith, found how fast she could take it away, found true love, lost your heart, now you don't know who you are. She made it easy, made it free, made you hurt till you couldn't see. Sometimes it stops, sometimes it floats, but baby that is how love goes.
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall.
"It's a secret, that no one tells, one day it's heaven, one day its hell, and it's no fairy tale, take it from me, that's the way it's supposed to be
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall.
"You laugh, you cry, no one knows why, but oh the thrill of it all, your on the ride you might as well open your eyes
"You will fly and you will crawl. God knows even angels fall, no such thing as you lost it all, God knows even angles fall. Even angels fall, even angels fall."
"Hermione," said Harry.
"Yes?" asked Hermione.
"Do you know how much I like you?" he asked.
"Well, I know that you like me, otherwise I'd be dancing with someone else watching jealously as you danced closely with someone, her head on your shoulder, your chin resting on her head, smelling her hair, but I don't know to what extent you like me," replied Hermione. Harry laughed and kissed the top of her head.
"Being with you makes me happy," said Harry. "Knowing that you're always there when I need to talk to someone who cares, knowing that when I've had a bad day, I have someone to complain to, even when you're on top of the world. When I see you in the morning, I smile and this horrible load that has made me a beast of burden lightens. Just your smile makes Voldemort seem a little less important. Even when the world is being a bitch, I have you to talk to. You are always there for me, even when I'm in my worst moods."
"Oh, Harry, stop," said Hermione. "You're embarrassing me."
"Well it's true," said Harry.
"Harry, there's something I have to tell you," said Hermione.
Chapter 24
"I haven't been completely honest with you," continued Hermione.
"What?" asked Harry. "You're related to Voldemort?" He laughed.
"Not quite," said Hermione. "Nothing like that really. This may take a while, so why don't we go back to the guest house?"
"Okay," said Harry uneasily.
"Don't worry, it's not horrible, just something I think you might want to know," said Hermione. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. They walked silently to the guest house, Hermione wondering how she was going to phrase her story. When they reached the guest house, Hermione and Harry sat down in the living room.
"It's a long story, so before we start, why don't you make some tea or cocoa, and we'll get comfortable on the couch?" asked Hermione.
"Okay," said Harry. "Run upstairs and get some pillows and blankets, it looks like rain anyway." Hermione went up and got a few pillows from the spare bedroom and some blankets from the linen closet. As she passed her room, she saw a tiny box protruding from under her bed. She set down the bundle in her arms and knelt on the ground and picked it up. It was what she thought it was.
"Oh well," said Hermione to herself. "It might help." She went back to the door with the box and picked up the blankets and pillows. When she got downstairs, Harry was sitting on the couch, waiting for her. He patted the cushion on the couch next to him and she sat down. Harry handed Hermione a glass of cocoa and she snuggled up against him.
"There's more on the stove if we need it," said Harry. "So what's this big story?"
"Well," said Hermione. "I don't really know where to begin.
"I don't know if you know, but I was adopted when I was two years old, but my parents died right after I was born, meaning I can't remember anything about them. I had a happy childhood with my adoptive parents. I had a sister to play with after a few months and they loved me and I loved them. My parents had always been very open that I was adopted and told me what they knew about my family. I had had a father and a mother named David and Joanna Smith and a big sister named Allison, who was three years my senior.
"That was what my parents knew and I was content with that information until recently. Over the summer, I had a little bit of free time after I finished my homework, about a day or two before school started, so I went to the Library in search of something to do. I was just sitting and staring at the newspaper until I came across the obituary section, and I got the idea to look up about my parents' death. So I went upstairs to the stacks where they keep the old newspapers. I looked at the pines of the books until I saw the number 1981, the year my parents were killed. I opened the book and skimmed through the later months. There, in December, I saw it. Under the headline was a picture, and in the picture were my family, my mother, father, sister, and me, and another family. Your family, Harry, and Peter, as well. He was standing there, in the back round but he was there. I read the headline, and it said, 'SMITH'S KILLED BY GAS EXPLOSION IN KITCHEN. ONLY BABY HERMIONE SURVIVES.' I knew that wasn't right, so the next day I got on a bus and went to the place where my family had lived, Godric's Hollow, which might be familiar to you too. I went to the local police station and asked to see the records of the Smiths' deaths. In the coroner's report it said there was no explanation for their deaths, they all just looked scared. In the police report, it said there was a mark etched on the door of a skull with a snake coming out of the mouth. They were killed by Voldemort Harry, Voldemort and Wormtail."
Chapter 25
"Well," said Harry in an unnaturally high voice. "I think I'm going to have to sleep on this for a little bit." He got up and went to bed, slamming the door behind him and leaving Hermione and the storm alone. Hermione sat for a long time, mulling over what she had just told Harry. Hermione eventually decided to go back to the party, where Ron and Lavender looked at her quizzically.
"Later," said Hermione. "I'll tell you later." She sat alone at the table for a while, watching Ron and Lavender dance. They looked nice together. Half an hour later, Ron appeared next to her.
"What happened?" asked Ron.
"I told him," said Hermione. "And he took it like I knew he would. The problem is, now we're together it's harder that he's not talking to me."
"Dance with me," said Ron. "You'll feel better."
"Alright Ron," said Hermione.
"Gray ceiling on the earth, well it's lasted for a while, take my thoughts for what they're worth, I've been acting like a child. Your opinion? What is that? It's just a different point of view. What else, what else can I do, I said I'm sorry, yeah, I'm sorry. I said I'm sorry but what for? If I hurt you then I hate myself I don't want hate myself, don't want to hurt you. Why do you choose your pain? If you only knew how much I love you, love you.
"Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here.
"Old picture on the shelf, it's been there for a while. Frozen image of ourselves, we were acting like a child. Innocent and in a trance in a dance that lasted for a while. You read my eyes just like a diary, oh remember, please remember. Well I'm not a beggar, but what's more if I hurt you then I hate myself, I don't want to hurt you. Why do you choose your pain? If you only knew how much I love you.
"Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. No, well I won't be your winter cause I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. Well I won't be your winter and I won't be anyone's excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, and I will be here."
"May I cut in?" asked Harry.
"Harry, I..."started Hermione.
"Hermione, listen to me," interrupted Harry. "I've thought about your story, and I wish you had told me sooner, but that doesn't change anything. I love you."
Awwwwwwwwwww. This is sorta dedicated to my boyfriend Will, I love ya hun. R/R, or not. Here's the usual:
Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING!!! JRK does, except for a few minor characters created by me that you won't ever hear from again because they died without being fed. I TOLD my friend to come by and feed them while I was on vacation but she forgot, so blame her, not me.