Chapter 3: A True Friend's Feelings
Christmas was approaching fast. Four days to be exact. If the Weasley household had been hectic before, it was nothing as to what it was now. It was early morning and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were dusting all the wooden furniture pieces inside the Burrow. Harry and Ron were picking weeds outside in the garden and throwing garden Gnomes into the distance. Fred and George were sitting on a bench looking over the floor plans for their new flat they were going to move into next month. Ever since they had gone flat searching with their father just two days ago, they had done nothing else except talk excitedly about their perfect find. They knew very well they were supposed to be emptying out barrels of weeds into the dumpster down by the hollow, and every other minute they would look into the house to make sure their mother was not observing their slacking off. To their displeasure, Ron was.
"Oy! Lazies. Get up off your duffs and work!" shouted Ron.
"Dear little brother," replied Fred, innocently. "If you don't leave your pointy little nose out of our business, then only Harry here will be allowed to visit our place this Summer."
"Oh, spare me," said Ron, walking up the dirt pathway toward them. "If you don't do your work around here, then I'll tell mum and she just might find out about... ohh, let's say, your intentions of asking Angelina to move in?" Ron knew this would work. He had overheard Fred talking to George yesterday about how he planned to ask Angelina to move in with them. Fred knew his mother would eventually find out if she said `yes' to his proposal, but he reasoned now was not the best time for that. Ron smiled triumphantly at the look on Fred's face and threw a dirty dishtowel at him. "You might be needing this. There's a lot of Gnome droppings." With that, Ron strolled merrily back down the path to continue his weeding.
The morning came and went and all the boys working out in the garden were extremely exhausted. It wasn't until well passed lunch time that they heard the shouts of Mrs. Weasley at the front door. "LUNCH IS READY!" All the boys, including Mr. Weasley who had been working out in the shed, sighed greatily and marched into the house. Mrs. Weasley looked shocked at their tired expressions and filthy clothes. "Oh dear. We can't have you come in like this. Quick showers, all of you. I'll make extra sandwiches in the mean time, I can tell you're all very hungry."
So they did as they were told. Harry was first to shower and first to come downstairs. Mrs. Weasley was piling roast beef onto sandwich rolls while Ginny was working on homework at the kitchen table.
"Oh hello, Harry dear. I have plenty of sandwiches ready. Eat a few, there's plenty." Harry sat down and Mrs. Weasley set a tray full of delicious looking roast beef sandwiches in front of him. He immediately grabbed one and took a huge bite. It was extremely tasty and Harry was more than half way done with the sandwich when he finally slowed down, swallowed and turned his focus toward Ginny.
"What are you working on?" he asked.
Ginny looked up at him. Ever since their strange coversation at the park, they had both been purposely avoiding eachother. The whole thing was extremely weird for both of them. It was purely an act of impulse, Harry reasoned. He was just glad he hadn't kissed her. This was Ginny Weasley, afterall; Ron's little sister. Ginny smiled awkwardly.
"Oh, just a Potions Essay. I can't believe Snape assigned us homework over Christmas break. I knew he was mean, but this is ridiculous." Harry just smiled and Ginny returned to her work. A second later Ron came tumbling downstairs and said outloud. "I could eat a Hippogriff!" before stealing a sandwich off the plate in front of Harry and taking a seat next to him. Harry helped himself to a second one.
"So, what time is Hermione coming tonight?" asked Mrs. Weasley, setting another plate of sandwiches on the table. Harry looked at Ron and noticed a huge grin growing on his face, his mouth stuffed full of food. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Mrs. Weasley, turning to look at the two of them.
"Nothing Mrs. Weasley," mumbled Harry, suddenly aware of Ron's accusing stare.
"She's due at six tonight mum," cut in Ron. Another grin beamed on his face and Harry just couldn't help but smile himself at Ron's all too obvious facial expressions. Mrs. Weasley kept taking glances between the two of them, then finally shook her head and continued with her sandwich making.
The time was nearing for Hermione's arrival. Ron spent a good deal of the last couple of hours preparing himself. Harry found it quite comical that Ron would behave so finicky, seeing as to how he'd just seen Hermione only about a week ago. Harry reasoned that being in a relationship must hold some sort of weird grip on people; it just seemed too strange to see Ron acting this way. Harry had to admit to himself that he was jealous. Harry had been slightly fond of Hermione for a while now. He never told her, or Ron for that matter, but he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be with her. He assumed his impulse with Ginny was out of slight jealousy; as if he was trying to get back at Ron somehow. This idea made him feel horrible; as though he'd been using Ginny. This wasn't exactly the only thing ailing Harry though. Harry also felt a little left out when Ron and Hermione took walks by themselves or sat snuggled close together at school while he sat alone and unnoticed. He never let it be known to them how he felt, though, and just played along with it. He knew they were both very fond of eachother and he couldn't live with himself if he construed their relationship in any way just out of self pity.
Everyone was down in the dining room waiting patiently for Hermione. Fred and George were sitting on either side of Ginny whispering things in her ear while she wrote a letter to someone. Harry couldn't make out what they were saying but knew it must have been bothersome by the look on Ginny's face.
"Mum, please tell Fred and George to stop harassing me!" she grumbled, holding the letter up to her chest so neither on them could see it.
"Fred, George, stop that right now. Who she is writing to is none of your business!" Mrs. Weasley gave her sons dissaproving glares while she set coasters around the coffee table. The way the Weasleys were going about the arrival of Hermione seemed oddly formal to Harry's eyes. He noticed everyone had on what looked like their best attire. He wanted to ask why everyone was doing all this just for Hermione when George came to his rescue.
"Where's Ron? You'd think he'd be asking the Grangers for their daughter's hand in marriage the way he's been getting ready." Everyone in the room swiveled their heads in George's direction.
"George?" said Mrs. Weasley as a warning.
"Hermione's parents are coming?" said Harry.
"Oh, yes dear, didn't you know? They're coming over with Hermione. We invited them the beginning of the break, but of course you weren't here yet." Harry nodded his head in understandment. No wonder Ron had been behaving so oddly.
Ron finally came trotting down the stairs wearing a nervous smile. He had his hair slicked back, brown snugly fit trousers, a white tucked in collared shirt, shiny polished black boots, and a...
"A Bowtie?" snorted Fred. Ron swivelled his eyes at Fred with a threatening expression on his face. Fred rolled his eyes and looked away. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave Ron odd stares also. Ginny looked as if a headless horse had just trotted by and Harry felt utterly stupid when he burst out an impulsive laugh.
"I'm sorry, Ron," he appologized quickly. "I just wasn't expecting... that." Harry's face was beat red and he could only hope Ron wasn't angry at him.
"Ron, you look very lovely dear." said Mrs. Weasley, finally. Mr. Weasley whispered something in Mrs. Weasley's ear and she smiled.
"You know, Ron," said George, eyeing him skeptically. "You kind of resemble a lion tamer." Ginny laughed at this.
"Shove it, George. You kind of look like an arse but you don't see me complaining."
"Ron Weasley!" scolded Mrs. Weasley. But Harry knew he saw the slightest smirk on her face at Ron's quick comment.
"Fine, I'll take the bow-tie off!" raged Ron, storming back upstairs.
"Change the pants too!" shouted Fred after him.
"Enough, all of you!" said Mrs. Weasley.
Finally, after moments of awaited silence, a loud clunk of a man came sprawling out from the fire place. Everyone stood up and Mr. Weasley ran over to help Mr. Granger up off the floor. "You'd think after years of using the Floo Network, you'd finally get it down right," said Mr. Granger. He stepped aside only to be trailed by a lady, falling straight forward on her face.
"Mrs. Granger!" shouted Mrs. Weasley, stepping forward to help her. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine." she exclaimed, standing up and fixing the hat atop her head. Harry couldn't be too sure but he thought he heard a snicker escape from Fred. "Oh, dear, it's like a rollercoaster." Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley both laughed.
"Ahh!" It was Hermione, and she too fell forward. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny all laughed at Hermione's tumbling. Ron rushed forward and helped her up. "Hi Ron!" she shrieked, giving him a big hug and kissing him on the cheek. Both the Grangers and the Weasleys gave them peculiar stares. Hermione pulled away and walked over to Harry. "Hello Harry." She hugged Harry, also giving him a kiss on the cheek. Harry chuckled.
"Hi Hermione. I'm glad you're here." Harry looked over Hermione's shoulder and was midly shocked when he saw Mr. Granger wink at him and Mrs. Granger gave him a sharp nod. His stomach gave a lurch and he let go. He wondered dully what that could be about. He gave Hermione a confused stare and she mouthed the words "I'll tell you later." Harry nodded.
After the Grangers had tea and talked animatedly with the Weasleys, they said their goodbyes and gave Hermione their hugs and flooed back to their place. Harry, Ron and Hermione went upstairs to Ron's room. Harry wanted to ask just what Hermione's parents gestures meant, but didn't think it neccesary to do in front of Ron, especially since he and Hermione were giving eachother googly eyes and pecks on the lips right now.
"Is this my cue to leave?" asked Harry in an aggravated tone.
Hermione giggled. "I'm sorry Harry." Ron stood up.
"I'll be back in a bit. I promised my dad I'd help him in the shed tonight since I didn't this morning. I won't be too long."
Hermione made exaggerated puppy eyes at him. "Aww, but I wanted to snuggle." She slapped him playfully on his backside. Ron laughed, turned around, kissed her roughly on the mouth before turning back around and disappearing out the door. Harry rolled his eyes and made a gagging face.
"Oh hush!" scolded Hermione and threw a pillow off of Ron's bed at him.
"Don't throw Ron's pillows at me! You don't know what he's done to those since you've been away." Harry laughed as Hermione made a look of repulsion. "Fine, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for." He laughed again.
"Yes, it most certainly was!" said Hermione.
"O.k., bunk over." said Harry, taking a seat next to Hermione. "Time for the story."
"Story?"
"Don't play dumb. Why did your parents give me those looks and why did you say you'd tell me later. What's going on?"
Hermione blushed and looked away. "I was actually hoping you'd forget I said that."
Harry looked at her quizzically. "Hermione?"
"Fine, but promise me you won't be angry!"
"What the hell did you do?" Harry was quite ammused.
Hermione was silent for a moment before she continued. "I sort of told my parents that I was dating you instead of Ron." Her voice was quiet yet Harry heard every single word.
Harry raised his eyebrows to the heavens and laughed. "What?!"
"Harry. Don't tell Ron, o.k.?" Harry nodded, his expression still confused. "I was scared, Harry. My parents always talk about you. They think the world of you." She paused. "So do I," she said as an afterthought. "I just... I know it's no excuse, but I just..."
"Hermione, what are you saying?" asked Harry. He wasn't sure he liked where this was headed.
"I told them I was dating you, Harry, because I thought they'd be prouder I was dating you than Ron!" She blurted all this out and Harry froze. He didn't know how to respond to that.
"Why would they be prouder about me than Ron?" Harry seriously didn't quite understand.
"Oh, Harry! Brighten up. I don't mean to sound pig-headed, but the Weasley's are poor and Ron... well, he's stubborn and temperamental and... and I just blurted your name out when they asked."
"Why did they even ask?" Harry was beginning to feel hurt. Hermione had used Harry; used his feelings.
"They saw a letter I wrote to Ron. I hadn't put his name on it, and they asked me one morning - the letter in their fist. They're protective of me, Harry. They wanted full details. They know you. They trust you. They know you're wealthy and recognized. I don't know why I said it, really. I just knew they wouldn't pester me as much if I said your name instead of Ron's."
Harry stood up and looked down upon Hermione, a hurt look in his eyes. "To be honest, Hermione, I don't know what to say. Just tell me next time before you begin to screw with my feelings. You don't even care how I feel do you?"
Hermione looked startled. "Harry, of course I do."
Harry looked at her for a minute. "No you don't. You have no idea how I feel about you." Harry froze. He didn't mean to say the `about you' part.
"About me?" she asked quietly, cocking her head in confusion.
Harry sighed. "Just forget it Hermione." He started to walk slowly toward the door before Hermione stood up and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him back around.
"No, Harry, I won't forget it!" Harry realized she was angry.
"What do you want me to say?" Harry fumed. "I just made an arse out of myself, isn't that good enough for now?"
Hermione stared, disbelief struck all over her face. Harry could see tears swelling up in her eyes.
"Oh my god, Harry. I can't believe you're telling me this."
"Hermione, don't do this! We've been friends for years, and that's exactly what we are. O.k., look. I'm sorry I said that."
"No!" shouted Hermione. She glanced at the door then lowered her voice again. "I don't want to hear that you're sorry Harry. That's not what I'm trying to get at and you know it!" Her voice was hushed, yet harsh.
"I'm leaving this here Hermione. I feel very stupid right now. I'm leaving." Harry started to leave again; Hermione grabbed his shoulder once more.
"I'd like to hear it Harry." Harry glared at her.
"Hear what exactly?" Harry glanced at her hand still on his shoulder and she released it.
"How do you feel about me?" Harry gulped. This was turning dangerously ugly.
"I don't think you want to know." Once again he tried to leave before Hermione stopped him.
"Harold James Potter! I damn well do want to know." She was breathing in ragged breaths, obviously scared of what he just might say. If she wanted to play that way then he might as well to.
"Fine, Hermione! Fine. Just keep your voice down." He hesitated. "You really want to know?"
"Yes!" she answered almost instantly.
"O.k.!" Harry looked her straight in the eyes before continuing. "Hermione, you are everything I could ever wish to find inside myself. You're smart, you're brilliant, your beautiful. You're Hermione, and I love you for that. Yes, I've often thought about what it would be like to be with you. To be honest I mentally kicked myself for ever thinking such things about you because I couldn't imagine ever doing anything to mess up my friendship with you." Harry was rambling, hardly thinking about exactly what he was saying. He didn't even notice the look of shock on Hermione's face. He just kept going. "Sometimes, Hermione, sometimes I would just look at you and think `My God, this is the most amazing creature on this earth'. Sometimes when I was alone with you, all I could think about was reaching over and snogging you senseless, but you know what? I knew I'd pay for it. I knew you were too good for me. I knew you had more sense than to make more than just a friendship with me and to be quite honest, I was glad. I didn't know if I could deal with you anyway. And I see you being with Ron that I was right; I couldn't. Anything Ron ever does that is not quite up to your standard, you tell him and you make him feel like crap for it. Ron's not perfect Hermione; but I've got news for you. Neither are you. Cause if you were, then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. You would except Ron for who he is and wouldn't bring me into the picture, making me feel like crap right along with him." Harry took a deep breath and added one last thing. "If you don't tell your parents the truth then I'm going to tell Ron the truth."
It wasn't until Harry was done with his rambling that he realized Hermione was crying. And what he felt next was a crisp, cold slap across his face as Hermione brought her hand to his cheek. Harry was startled and stared at Hermione. Hermione finally lowered her gaze and stomped heatedly out of the room. Harry instantly began to feel regret.
Christmas was approaching fast. Four days to be exact. If the Weasley household had been hectic before, it was nothing as to what it was now. It was early morning and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were dusting all the wooden furniture pieces inside the Burrow. Harry and Ron were picking weeds outside in the garden and throwing garden Gnomes into the distance. Fred and George were sitting on a bench looking over the floor plans for their new flat they were going to move into next month. Ever since they had gone flat searching with their father just two days ago, they had done nothing else except talk excitedly about their perfect find. They knew very well they were supposed to be emptying out barrels of weeds into the dumpster down by the hollow, and every other minute they would look into the house to make sure their mother was not observing their slacking off. To their displeasure, Ron was.
"Oy! Lazies. Get up off your duffs and work!" shouted Ron.
"Dear little brother," replied Fred, innocently. "If you don't leave your pointy little nose out of our business, then only Harry here will be allowed to visit our place this Summer."
"Oh, spare me," said Ron, walking up the dirt pathway toward them. "If you don't do your work around here, then I'll tell mum and she just might find out about... ohh, let's say, your intentions of asking Angelina to move in?" Ron knew this would work. He had overheard Fred talking to George yesterday about how he planned to ask Angelina to move in with them. Fred knew his mother would eventually find out if she said `yes' to his proposal, but he reasoned now was not the best time for that. Ron smiled triumphantly at the look on Fred's face and threw a dirty dishtowel at him. "You might be needing this. There's a lot of Gnome droppings." With that, Ron strolled merrily back down the path to continue his weeding.
The morning came and went and all the boys working out in the garden were extremely exhausted. It wasn't until well passed lunch time that they heard the shouts of Mrs. Weasley at the front door. "LUNCH IS READY!" All the boys, including Mr. Weasley who had been working out in the shed, sighed greatily and marched into the house. Mrs. Weasley looked shocked at their tired expressions and filthy clothes. "Oh dear. We can't have you come in like this. Quick showers, all of you. I'll make extra sandwiches in the mean time, I can tell you're all very hungry."
So they did as they were told. Harry was first to shower and first to come downstairs. Mrs. Weasley was piling roast beef onto sandwich rolls while Ginny was working on homework at the kitchen table.
"Oh hello, Harry dear. I have plenty of sandwiches ready. Eat a few, there's plenty." Harry sat down and Mrs. Weasley set a tray full of delicious looking roast beef sandwiches in front of him. He immediately grabbed one and took a huge bite. It was extremely tasty and Harry was more than half way done with the sandwich when he finally slowed down, swallowed and turned his focus toward Ginny.
"What are you working on?" he asked.
Ginny looked up at him. Ever since their strange coversation at the park, they had both been purposely avoiding eachother. The whole thing was extremely weird for both of them. It was purely an act of impulse, Harry reasoned. He was just glad he hadn't kissed her. This was Ginny Weasley, afterall; Ron's little sister. Ginny smiled awkwardly.
"Oh, just a Potions Essay. I can't believe Snape assigned us homework over Christmas break. I knew he was mean, but this is ridiculous." Harry just smiled and Ginny returned to her work. A second later Ron came tumbling downstairs and said outloud. "I could eat a Hippogriff!" before stealing a sandwich off the plate in front of Harry and taking a seat next to him. Harry helped himself to a second one.
"So, what time is Hermione coming tonight?" asked Mrs. Weasley, setting another plate of sandwiches on the table. Harry looked at Ron and noticed a huge grin growing on his face, his mouth stuffed full of food. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Mrs. Weasley, turning to look at the two of them.
"Nothing Mrs. Weasley," mumbled Harry, suddenly aware of Ron's accusing stare.
"She's due at six tonight mum," cut in Ron. Another grin beamed on his face and Harry just couldn't help but smile himself at Ron's all too obvious facial expressions. Mrs. Weasley kept taking glances between the two of them, then finally shook her head and continued with her sandwich making.
The time was nearing for Hermione's arrival. Ron spent a good deal of the last couple of hours preparing himself. Harry found it quite comical that Ron would behave so finicky, seeing as to how he'd just seen Hermione only about a week ago. Harry reasoned that being in a relationship must hold some sort of weird grip on people; it just seemed too strange to see Ron acting this way. Harry had to admit to himself that he was jealous. Harry had been slightly fond of Hermione for a while now. He never told her, or Ron for that matter, but he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be with her. He assumed his impulse with Ginny was out of slight jealousy; as if he was trying to get back at Ron somehow. This idea made him feel horrible; as though he'd been using Ginny. This wasn't exactly the only thing ailing Harry though. Harry also felt a little left out when Ron and Hermione took walks by themselves or sat snuggled close together at school while he sat alone and unnoticed. He never let it be known to them how he felt, though, and just played along with it. He knew they were both very fond of eachother and he couldn't live with himself if he construed their relationship in any way just out of self pity.
Everyone was down in the dining room waiting patiently for Hermione. Fred and George were sitting on either side of Ginny whispering things in her ear while she wrote a letter to someone. Harry couldn't make out what they were saying but knew it must have been bothersome by the look on Ginny's face.
"Mum, please tell Fred and George to stop harassing me!" she grumbled, holding the letter up to her chest so neither on them could see it.
"Fred, George, stop that right now. Who she is writing to is none of your business!" Mrs. Weasley gave her sons dissaproving glares while she set coasters around the coffee table. The way the Weasleys were going about the arrival of Hermione seemed oddly formal to Harry's eyes. He noticed everyone had on what looked like their best attire. He wanted to ask why everyone was doing all this just for Hermione when George came to his rescue.
"Where's Ron? You'd think he'd be asking the Grangers for their daughter's hand in marriage the way he's been getting ready." Everyone in the room swiveled their heads in George's direction.
"George?" said Mrs. Weasley as a warning.
"Hermione's parents are coming?" said Harry.
"Oh, yes dear, didn't you know? They're coming over with Hermione. We invited them the beginning of the break, but of course you weren't here yet." Harry nodded his head in understandment. No wonder Ron had been behaving so oddly.
Ron finally came trotting down the stairs wearing a nervous smile. He had his hair slicked back, brown snugly fit trousers, a white tucked in collared shirt, shiny polished black boots, and a...
"A Bowtie?" snorted Fred. Ron swivelled his eyes at Fred with a threatening expression on his face. Fred rolled his eyes and looked away. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave Ron odd stares also. Ginny looked as if a headless horse had just trotted by and Harry felt utterly stupid when he burst out an impulsive laugh.
"I'm sorry, Ron," he appologized quickly. "I just wasn't expecting... that." Harry's face was beat red and he could only hope Ron wasn't angry at him.
"Ron, you look very lovely dear." said Mrs. Weasley, finally. Mr. Weasley whispered something in Mrs. Weasley's ear and she smiled.
"You know, Ron," said George, eyeing him skeptically. "You kind of resemble a lion tamer." Ginny laughed at this.
"Shove it, George. You kind of look like an arse but you don't see me complaining."
"Ron Weasley!" scolded Mrs. Weasley. But Harry knew he saw the slightest smirk on her face at Ron's quick comment.
"Fine, I'll take the bow-tie off!" raged Ron, storming back upstairs.
"Change the pants too!" shouted Fred after him.
"Enough, all of you!" said Mrs. Weasley.
Finally, after moments of awaited silence, a loud clunk of a man came sprawling out from the fire place. Everyone stood up and Mr. Weasley ran over to help Mr. Granger up off the floor. "You'd think after years of using the Floo Network, you'd finally get it down right," said Mr. Granger. He stepped aside only to be trailed by a lady, falling straight forward on her face.
"Mrs. Granger!" shouted Mrs. Weasley, stepping forward to help her. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine." she exclaimed, standing up and fixing the hat atop her head. Harry couldn't be too sure but he thought he heard a snicker escape from Fred. "Oh, dear, it's like a rollercoaster." Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley both laughed.
"Ahh!" It was Hermione, and she too fell forward. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny all laughed at Hermione's tumbling. Ron rushed forward and helped her up. "Hi Ron!" she shrieked, giving him a big hug and kissing him on the cheek. Both the Grangers and the Weasleys gave them peculiar stares. Hermione pulled away and walked over to Harry. "Hello Harry." She hugged Harry, also giving him a kiss on the cheek. Harry chuckled.
"Hi Hermione. I'm glad you're here." Harry looked over Hermione's shoulder and was midly shocked when he saw Mr. Granger wink at him and Mrs. Granger gave him a sharp nod. His stomach gave a lurch and he let go. He wondered dully what that could be about. He gave Hermione a confused stare and she mouthed the words "I'll tell you later." Harry nodded.
After the Grangers had tea and talked animatedly with the Weasleys, they said their goodbyes and gave Hermione their hugs and flooed back to their place. Harry, Ron and Hermione went upstairs to Ron's room. Harry wanted to ask just what Hermione's parents gestures meant, but didn't think it neccesary to do in front of Ron, especially since he and Hermione were giving eachother googly eyes and pecks on the lips right now.
"Is this my cue to leave?" asked Harry in an aggravated tone.
Hermione giggled. "I'm sorry Harry." Ron stood up.
"I'll be back in a bit. I promised my dad I'd help him in the shed tonight since I didn't this morning. I won't be too long."
Hermione made exaggerated puppy eyes at him. "Aww, but I wanted to snuggle." She slapped him playfully on his backside. Ron laughed, turned around, kissed her roughly on the mouth before turning back around and disappearing out the door. Harry rolled his eyes and made a gagging face.
"Oh hush!" scolded Hermione and threw a pillow off of Ron's bed at him.
"Don't throw Ron's pillows at me! You don't know what he's done to those since you've been away." Harry laughed as Hermione made a look of repulsion. "Fine, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for." He laughed again.
"Yes, it most certainly was!" said Hermione.
"O.k., bunk over." said Harry, taking a seat next to Hermione. "Time for the story."
"Story?"
"Don't play dumb. Why did your parents give me those looks and why did you say you'd tell me later. What's going on?"
Hermione blushed and looked away. "I was actually hoping you'd forget I said that."
Harry looked at her quizzically. "Hermione?"
"Fine, but promise me you won't be angry!"
"What the hell did you do?" Harry was quite ammused.
Hermione was silent for a moment before she continued. "I sort of told my parents that I was dating you instead of Ron." Her voice was quiet yet Harry heard every single word.
Harry raised his eyebrows to the heavens and laughed. "What?!"
"Harry. Don't tell Ron, o.k.?" Harry nodded, his expression still confused. "I was scared, Harry. My parents always talk about you. They think the world of you." She paused. "So do I," she said as an afterthought. "I just... I know it's no excuse, but I just..."
"Hermione, what are you saying?" asked Harry. He wasn't sure he liked where this was headed.
"I told them I was dating you, Harry, because I thought they'd be prouder I was dating you than Ron!" She blurted all this out and Harry froze. He didn't know how to respond to that.
"Why would they be prouder about me than Ron?" Harry seriously didn't quite understand.
"Oh, Harry! Brighten up. I don't mean to sound pig-headed, but the Weasley's are poor and Ron... well, he's stubborn and temperamental and... and I just blurted your name out when they asked."
"Why did they even ask?" Harry was beginning to feel hurt. Hermione had used Harry; used his feelings.
"They saw a letter I wrote to Ron. I hadn't put his name on it, and they asked me one morning - the letter in their fist. They're protective of me, Harry. They wanted full details. They know you. They trust you. They know you're wealthy and recognized. I don't know why I said it, really. I just knew they wouldn't pester me as much if I said your name instead of Ron's."
Harry stood up and looked down upon Hermione, a hurt look in his eyes. "To be honest, Hermione, I don't know what to say. Just tell me next time before you begin to screw with my feelings. You don't even care how I feel do you?"
Hermione looked startled. "Harry, of course I do."
Harry looked at her for a minute. "No you don't. You have no idea how I feel about you." Harry froze. He didn't mean to say the `about you' part.
"About me?" she asked quietly, cocking her head in confusion.
Harry sighed. "Just forget it Hermione." He started to walk slowly toward the door before Hermione stood up and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him back around.
"No, Harry, I won't forget it!" Harry realized she was angry.
"What do you want me to say?" Harry fumed. "I just made an arse out of myself, isn't that good enough for now?"
Hermione stared, disbelief struck all over her face. Harry could see tears swelling up in her eyes.
"Oh my god, Harry. I can't believe you're telling me this."
"Hermione, don't do this! We've been friends for years, and that's exactly what we are. O.k., look. I'm sorry I said that."
"No!" shouted Hermione. She glanced at the door then lowered her voice again. "I don't want to hear that you're sorry Harry. That's not what I'm trying to get at and you know it!" Her voice was hushed, yet harsh.
"I'm leaving this here Hermione. I feel very stupid right now. I'm leaving." Harry started to leave again; Hermione grabbed his shoulder once more.
"I'd like to hear it Harry." Harry glared at her.
"Hear what exactly?" Harry glanced at her hand still on his shoulder and she released it.
"How do you feel about me?" Harry gulped. This was turning dangerously ugly.
"I don't think you want to know." Once again he tried to leave before Hermione stopped him.
"Harold James Potter! I damn well do want to know." She was breathing in ragged breaths, obviously scared of what he just might say. If she wanted to play that way then he might as well to.
"Fine, Hermione! Fine. Just keep your voice down." He hesitated. "You really want to know?"
"Yes!" she answered almost instantly.
"O.k.!" Harry looked her straight in the eyes before continuing. "Hermione, you are everything I could ever wish to find inside myself. You're smart, you're brilliant, your beautiful. You're Hermione, and I love you for that. Yes, I've often thought about what it would be like to be with you. To be honest I mentally kicked myself for ever thinking such things about you because I couldn't imagine ever doing anything to mess up my friendship with you." Harry was rambling, hardly thinking about exactly what he was saying. He didn't even notice the look of shock on Hermione's face. He just kept going. "Sometimes, Hermione, sometimes I would just look at you and think `My God, this is the most amazing creature on this earth'. Sometimes when I was alone with you, all I could think about was reaching over and snogging you senseless, but you know what? I knew I'd pay for it. I knew you were too good for me. I knew you had more sense than to make more than just a friendship with me and to be quite honest, I was glad. I didn't know if I could deal with you anyway. And I see you being with Ron that I was right; I couldn't. Anything Ron ever does that is not quite up to your standard, you tell him and you make him feel like crap for it. Ron's not perfect Hermione; but I've got news for you. Neither are you. Cause if you were, then we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. You would except Ron for who he is and wouldn't bring me into the picture, making me feel like crap right along with him." Harry took a deep breath and added one last thing. "If you don't tell your parents the truth then I'm going to tell Ron the truth."
It wasn't until Harry was done with his rambling that he realized Hermione was crying. And what he felt next was a crisp, cold slap across his face as Hermione brought her hand to his cheek. Harry was startled and stared at Hermione. Hermione finally lowered her gaze and stomped heatedly out of the room. Harry instantly began to feel regret.