Hi it's me again here with another chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Chapter 7: The Rise of Something Else
An hour later, Hermione's arm was bandaged, she had managed to break it, but in the wizarding world, it would heal in about two days. Harry had been by her side throughout the whole ordeal. She found him sitting on the edge of her bed, and she nudged him with her foot. He turned to her, smiled, and she smiled as well.
"Hey," he said softly, smoothing her hair back.
"Hey," she replied.
"How's your arm?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Doesn't hurt anymore…" and then, "you saved me."
Harry took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "It was nothing."
She suddenly seemed to remember what had happened. "That match… you… you.. didn't lose?"
Harry shrugged "You were more important than catching the snitch."
"Harry…" she looked to him, tears in her eyes.
"None of that," Harry said, wiping her cheeks with his thumb. "There will be plenty of matches. Get some rest."
"Viktor… didn't come, did he?" she asked quietly.
Harry locked eyes with the floor. "No."
Hermione sighed and nodded.
"Ron and Lavender were here earlier," Harry said. "They went to buy you loads of sweets, I'm sure."
Hermione gave a small smile.
The nurse came bustling over. "Ah, Miss Granger! Yes, you're free to go. Just keep that arm immobile the next couple of days." She pointed a finger at Harry. "I'm leaving her in your charge."
Hermione looked up at him with a smile when the nurse had left. "In your charge, am I?" she asked.
He grinned. "Yep."
They strolled around Durmstrag together, laughing and talking.
"So," Hermione said, smiling, "Since I'm in your charge, what do you think we should do?"
"Do?" he asked, stopping and staring down at her. She had always been a few inches shorter than he. He reached out a hand and pinched her chin.
"You saved me," she whispered again.
He reached out and trailed a finger down her lips lightly. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.
She looked up into his emerald eyes that she loved.
And then, he leaned down and kissed her.
Hermione smiled at herself in the mirror the next day, and rubbed her lips, remembering the way Harry's felt on hers. It sent waves of heat through her body. She secretly wished she was going to the ball with Harry, and not Viktor. But after yesterday, after he had kissed her, Cho snaked her way over to them, and pulled him away from her. So she muttered something about finding Viktor and hurried off. But tonight was the Ball, and like it or not (though love it was more on her page), she'd be seeing Harry tonight.
Harry couldn't believe the way Cho was acting. She had all but dressed him for the ball, and then was bringing down Hermione and the Weasleys. Enough was enough. Was this the way she really was? Had he been too blinded by her beauty to realize it? Even as he rotated with her to the music, she was bickering about his hair. How it wasn't up to par. Harry looked over to their table, and saw Hermione sitting there alone, looking miserable. Viktor had left to go dance with a girl Harry didn't recognize without even asking Hermione if she would mind.
Harry felt himself fill with anger as he watched the scene play out. He saw Hermione sitting there, trying her best not to cry.
It was obvious Krum didn't give a crap about her; that she was just another pretty face to him.
But she was much more than that to Harry.
What had he done?
What had they done to each other?
He removed his arms from Cho. "Listen,"
"What're you doing?" she snapped.
"I… I can't see you anymore," he said. "I'm sorry," and he turned, and started jogging over to Hermione. He had to make things right with her. He had to at least try.
"Harry!" Cho yelled after him. She crossed her arms and scowled as she watched him head over to Granger. "Harry!" He didn't look back.
A few had stopped dancing, and were staring at her, Cho Chang on the dance floor alone.
"What're you looking at?" she snarled. She walked to the nearest couple, butted the girl out of the way, and continued dancing with the guy as though nothing had happened.
"Hey," Harry said as he approached her. He had never seen her look so miserable.
"Hey," she said, her voice breaking. She didn't look at him, but he saw tears fall into her lap.
"Hermione," he said softly. "I'm… I'm sorry."
"Don't be," she said, wiping her eyes with the cloth napkin. "I didn't love Viktor. I thought I did…"
"Oh," he said. "Well, he doesn't deserve you."
"Thanks, Harry," she whispered. "Where's Cho?"
"Cho," he replied. "Cho… I uh… broke up with her."
Hermione gave a small intake of breath that sounded like a gasp. "Would you like to sit down?"
"No," he said, raking his hands through his hair. "I'd rather stand… Herm," he said softly. "This year…"
"It's been crazy," she added. She lowered her gaze to the floor.
"Hey," he said quietly, lifting her chin up to meet him.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I'm sorry for everything, Harry! I'm just so sorry. I didn't mean anything that I did, I was just so confused…"
"Come dance with me," he whispered.
"What?" she looked up into his eyes and saw that he was smiling at her.
All she wanted to do was fling her arms around his neck, and never ever let go.
"Come," he gently prodded, giving her arms a gentle tug.
Hermione got up, and he lead her away, and onto the dance floor.
They stared at each other for a moment, and then Hermione looped her arms around his neck, and Harry put his hands around her waist. They began swaying to the music.
God, this felt so right.
"I'm sorry too," he whispered into her ear.
Hermione gave a small whimper.
"I know now that I want to be with you," he said, gazing into her cinnamon colored eyes. "You're the only one I want, you're all I want."
"I love you, Harry Potter," she blurted out.
"Oh, Herm…" he said, smoothing her hair back with his hand. "I love you too."
Hermione smiled, the first real smile she had in far too long.
And then, Harry leaned down and kissed her, the way she deserved, the way that he felt like it was coming from his soul.
Hermione felt tears welling in her eyes, even though her eyes were closed. This was the Harry she loved. Not the anxious, making out in the closets Harry.
And when they broke apart, Hermione lay her head on his chest, as they finished out the song.
From the table, Ron caught Harry's eye, grinned his famous grin, and raised his goblet. Harry grinned too, and nodded.
Lavender took Ron's hand, and lead him over to talk to the Patils.
Harry breathed in deep, let his lungs fill in Hermione's scent. For once in his life, he was truly happy. Voldemort was still out there somewhere, hiding in the shadows, waiting for him, Malfoy was still an asshole and Snape seemed to want to poison him every class, but Harry Potter was happy. Because he knew no one could take this moment from him. He was in love. And when you're with the one you love, everything seems less important, and he couldn't think of any other place he'd rather be than here, with Hermione in his arms.
