b u c Just Waiting for the Rain /b /u /c

b c Chapter 2 /b /c

a/n: Yay!  I got reviews!  I love you all!  HAPPY HAPPY ME! This chapter is very very angsty at some points, but otherwise very very sweet.  Disclaimer: I own nothing *sniff*.  JK Rowling owns everything *cheers*.  Except for the plot, that is.  No one except me could write a plot as messed up as this one is...  Please r/r, and enjoy!

*April 30, 2002 – 10:00 AM – Hogwarts – Quidditch Pitch

            "HARRY POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH!  GRYFFINDOR WINS THE MATCH!"  Colin Creevey, who had been the quidditch announcer since Lee Jordan had graduated, shouted.  One half of the spectators, a sea of red, rose from their seats as one, cheering mightily.  Harry, his head swelling so large that it might soon become to heavy for his broomstick, did a long, slow victory lap, through and around the hoops and into the locker rooms.  He landed his broom near his own belongings and began to hurriedly change, eager to get back up to the common room for the celebration that was bound to take place in his honor.  Pulling his school robes quickly over his uniform, he scampered out the door, only to run into Professor Lupin. 

            "Good match Harry.  You have gotten very proficient at catching the snitch early on," the professor said.

            "Thank you sir," Harry trailed off a bit, looking suspiciously at his teacher, "What brings you back here?" 

            "I wanted to congratulate the team of course!" Lupin exclaimed, "Oh, yes, I also wanted to see how you and Hermione are doing on your counter curse.  Are you making good progress?  I believe that Hermione has been in the library several nights this past week working on it.  Have either of you discovered anything of interest yet?"  Lupin smiled loftily.  He knew that Harry hadn't been working at all.  It was obvious to him – the amount of time Hermione spent explaining things to him in class, how tired Hermione looked in the mornings, and how wide-awake Harry looked comparatively.

            "Uh... Yeah Professor.  It's coming along all right.  Now if you'll excuse me," Harry tried to get past his teacher, only to find himself blocked. 

            "Off to the library, are you?  I just saw Hermione head up there.  That's the spirit Harry.  The quidditch party can certainly wait!" Lupin said slyly.

            "Um... Of course.  Yeah, I was just on my way up there.  I'll, uh... see you at lunch Professor Lupin." Harry said, making hasty tracks for the library.  Perhaps Hermione wouldn't be in there, and then he could just go to the Common Room.

*Hogwarts – Library

            Hermione sat, deeply immersed in a book written entirely about the Impediment curse.  It was rather intricate.  It seemed to her, that the originally the curse had been a certain potion.  If I could extract a potion from the curse... she mused, and find the antidote to the potion, then transfer the potion back into a spell... Then I'd have it!  Hermione sighed in triumph.  It would be absolutely simple if she could find the potions ingredients and preparation somewhere.  Perhaps Madam Pince would have some very old Potions textbooks around somewhere.  Maybe even an old Defence book would do the trick.  Hermione was hurrying toward the front of the library when she collided with Harry Potter.  Rubbing her head, she looked up at him and said, "Ha-Harry?  What are you doing up here?"   

            "Oh... um..." Harry paused and looked at his former best friend.  Sighing, he repeated something they had asked each other many times before, "Would you prefer the truth, or a friendly white lie?"

            Hermione laughed, remembering the saying.  It had been a joke between them and Ron for years.  "The truth, of course.  Isn't that what I always said.  It was Ron who like the friendly white lie..."

            "Professor Lupin cornered me at the quidditch match and discreetly lectured me for not helping you.  He just as discreetly suggested I come up here and help you instead of going to my own party." Harry mumbled.

            "Excellent!" Hermione cried, "Just when I needed help, too.  I'm looking for a book, you see."

            "You mean I have to stay up here?  I figured you let me go to the common room." Harry said.

            Hermione's faced flushed several shades darker than normal.  Trying to keep her temper under control (this was a library, after all) she said, "No.  I think you need to stay right here and actually help me with this project," Hermione glared darkly, "Go on Potter.  Go ask Madam Pince to come back to my usual table.  She'll know where it is.  Then I'll explain to you what's happening."  Hermione spun around and practically marched back to her usual nook. 

            Harry muttered under his breath.  I shouldn't have to take orders from her.  We aren't even friends anymore, and I am SO much higher on the Hogwarts food chain.  I'll tell Madam Pince to go back to her, and then I'll slip away.  She'll just have to deal with it.  With that thought, Harry hurried off, eager to get to the party.

*May 2, 2002 – 10:30 PM – Hogwarts – Gryffindor girls' dormitory

            Hermione heaved what had to be the heaviest book in the Hogwarts library up the stairs to her dormitory.  She had been carrying the book (thicker by 500 pages than Hogwarts: A History) all the way from the dungeons to Gryffindor tower.  Madam Pince had told her to ask Professor Snape for some very old potions books, and the sneering greasy haired professor had obliged with this monster.  Hermione was, however, content.  Neville was on hall patrol duty tonight, which meant that she could simply curl up in her dorm and leaf through the book.  She knew the other girls wouldn't disturb her.  Lavender and Parvati had both given up on Hermione's reading habits a long time ago.  Finally reaching her bed, Hermione heaved the book onto it.  Carefully, she removed her Head Girl badge and placed it gently on her bedside table.  She quickly undressed and pulled a flannel nightdress over her head.  At last, she pulled a reading light toward her and began to pour through the yellow, crumpling pages.  The type was rather small and extremely difficult to read.  Most of the potions in the book she had never heard of.  Professor Snape had warned her of that.  Most potions were eventually replaced by spells, because most wizards were somewhat hopeless with potions. But if a potion could become a spell, couldn't a spell become a potion?  Finally she gave up and shoved the book aside.  She quickly grabbed her diary from underneath her bed and obliged it with her daily entry.

*Hermione's diary

Dear Diary,

            Well, this is a fine kettle of fish.  I haven't even seen Harry Potter since the other day in the library.  I suppose he slept all of Sunday.  But he didn't come to a single class today.  I honestly do not want to have to do this entire project on my own.  I will certainly need his help when it comes to collecting the ingredients for a multitude of potions I will have to brew.  Thank God for Fourth year Potions class and lectures on antidote development.      

            Professor Lupin has been trying to guilt Potter into actually working on this project, but thus far it hasn't worked.  I'm still hoping, diary.  I do want to help the professors figure out what is up with him, but I'm loosing hope.  I mean, I can't very well find out anything about him if he's completely ignoring me, can I?

            I wonder what Ron would do with him?  The two of them were always so much closer to each other than they were to me.  But... maybe if Ron was still alive... Harry Potter would still be the same guy he used to be.  Gods, I miss Ron.  He was better than anyone else I know at patching up arguments when the time came 'round.  Of course, he had plenty of practice...  Are you laughing?  Cause I sure as hell am. 

            I'm going to attempt to actually get some sleep tonight.  Are you proud, or what?

                                                                        Hermione

*May 3, 2002 – 10:25 AM – Hogwarts - DADA

            Harry Potter slipped into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom five minutes before class was do to start.  He strode quickly up the center aisle and stodd directly in front of the Professor Lupin's desk.  The aforementioned professor, who had been scribbling out next weeks lesson plans, glanced up. 

            "Okay Professor Lupin, what's the catch?" Harry demanded impatiently.

            "Catch?  What catch?  Catch in what?" Lupin said calmly.

            "In this project!  Honestly Professor, that was the first time you had ever checked up on my progress in a project.  And you know I have the work ethic of a slug." Harry said.

            "I just don't want you to let Hermione do all of the work.  First of all, it's not fair if you get an 'A' for doing nothing, and second because if you don't start helping her, Hermione is going to seriously endanger her health from over working." the professor said in a calm, rational tone. 

            Harry put his hands on to the desk and leaned a bit toward his teacher, "I've known you for four long years Professor Lupin.  I think that's enough time for me to be able to tell when you're keeping something from me!"

            At that point, the class began to file in.  Lupin rose from his desk and, lowering his voice slightly, spoke to Harry, "Calm down, Harry.  No one is plotting anything malicious and evil behind your back," Harry turned around and began to walk to his usual seat, "One more thing, Harry," Lupin said, "I don't know why you're putting yourself and Hermione through all of this, but one things for sure: you two have a lot to talk about.   And I suggest you do some talking. Soon."

*May 3, 2002 – 8:30 PM – Hogwarts – Potions Dungeons

            Hermione hovered over a steaming cauldron in the middle of the empty potions laboratory.  Professor Snape had grudgingly allowed her to use the lab after classes to work on the Impediment potion.  Her shoulders were slumped in disappointment.  She had thought that she had everything she could ever need to brew this potion, but apparently not.  Some unidentifiable thing was wrong with this potion.  It just needed something.  And she had no idea what that was.  Hermione sighed and steadied herself, squaring her shoulders and back.  Sure, she rather liked being alone most of the time (especially while she did homework), but this was getting ridiculous.  Harry... I mean Potter just has to realize sometime that I can't do a lick more work than I'm already doing!  She kneaded her forehead.  It's not his pride that is at stake if we fail this project. People are used to him doing poorly.  But... Oh I don't know.  It would be nice to have something of a reputation...

            "Granger?" a voice asked from deep in the shadows, "Granger are you down here?  I thought you might be working on the project and I... I wanted to help," Hermione didn't answer; she wanted to see what he would say if she remained quiet.  "Please Hermione?  Look, we haven't exactly been friends these past few years but is that any reason to ignore me?  Especially when we're supposed to be working together.  I'm sorry about the social life crack last week, all right?  It was a bit... harsh.  This isn't as important to me as it is to you, but... I reckon I have to get decent grades eventually.  And I know you want help with this," Harry sighed.  It seemed like the Head Girl wasn't going to deign to speak to him.  He turned around, and began heading for the stairs that lead to the entrance hall. 

            "Wait Harry." Hermione said.  Her legs shook distinctly, but she crossed the drafty room to him regardless.  "Yes, I'd like help.  Come, I'll explain it to you."  Hermione quickly outlined her line of thinking and all of the work she had done in the last few days.  Finally, she said, "But I just can't reckon what the last ingredient is.  I just can't seem to figure it out.  Have you got an idea?" 

            Harry frowned deeply, than ran a hand threw his black hair.  "Well," Harry said, "I haven't done any research or anything.  But it occurs to me that in potions you often need something, like a hair, that came from the person the potion is intended for.  So... maybe as a potion, you need the hair or something of the person you want to slow down."

            Hermione smiled widely, "Brilliant Harry!  That's really clever.  So... whose hair?  Yours or mine?" 

            "Mine.  To make up for being a prat."

            "Well.  Go ahead and add it then.  It'll have to brew for four hours until we can test it.  You don't have to stay up if you don't want to though.  I'm sure you have something more important to do." Hermione said quietly.

            Harry pulled a hair from his head and quickly added it to the potion, which abruptly turned purple and started bubbling.  He then turned to face Hermione again, "I'll stay up.  I've done my homework."

            "For once," Hermione chuckled, "C'mon then.  Let's not wait down here.  We can go to the Head Girl's study."  Setting her watch alarm to go off in four hours, Hermione led Harry out of the dungeons and into a red and gold bedecked study near Professor McGonagall's office.  Sinking onto a poof (much like the ones in Professor Trelawney's room, although Hermione was loathe to admit it) Hermione smiled tentatively at Harry and gestured him into a nearby poof. 

            "So..." Harry said after a few minutes of apprehensive silence, "What's been up with you lately Hermione?  I mean... what have you been doing, apart from studying."          

            "Not much.   Revising for NEWTS mostly."  She answered.

            "Going to break all of the school records for number of NEWTS?"

            "I'll try!" Hermione laughed, albeit uneasily, "I suppose I don't really need to worry about it.  I've got some good job offers that I've been considering, and... well I guess I've got my future all patched up," she looked quietly at her former best friend, "And what about you, Harry?  Beating off the pleading quidditch teams with a stick?"

            "I've got an interesting offer to, actually.  And not from a quidditch team, either.  Dumbledore is going to let me replace Madam Hooch!  She's retiring you know." Harry answered.

            Hermione stared at him, dumbfounded, "You mean, you'll be at Hogwarts next year?" she waited for Harry's affirmative nod before saying, "Me too.  I mean, Professor Dumbledore has offered me Flitwick's position.  I'm going to be the Charms teacher."

            "So we'll be together again." Harry said quietly.

            "Yeah, the youngest staff members at Hogwarts.  Won't it be strange?" Hermione trailed off slightly.

            "So we're really going to have to get along!" Harry laughed, but then brought his voice down to a much more somber tone, "Hermione... we need to talk about what happened after our fourth year."

            "Are you ready to?  Cause you sure as hell weren't three years ago.  Are you really mature enough that we can talk about this, Harry?" Hermione spat in a rare fit of vengeance.

            "I know." Harry sighed, "Hermione, I don't like the person I've become.  I didn't know how else to deal with everything.  No one knew that Ron was the one who really held me together.  Everyone thought he was the one who had the hot temper and was the one who acted like a total prat.  After he died... I lost an entire part of myself.  And I felt like I could never get it back."

            "But I felt the same way!" Hermione interjected, "I've never told anyone this before but... a few minutes before Ron died I finally told him that I was in love with him.  And he said he loved me too!" Hermione glanced away from Harry's stare, "Don't look at me like that!  I know we were only fourteen, but...  Oh, I don't know.  But it was definitely truly love.  And when he died and when you and I stopped speaking... I just lost something.  I don't know what.  It was just an empty place in my heart.  But.. Harry?"

            "Yeah?"

            "When you came in tonight... And you apologized and offered to help... That hole just kind of started to fill in, you know?" 

            "Really?" Harry asked curiously.  When Hermione inclined her head slightly, he went on to say, "Cause I felt some of those missing pieces come back when you actually smiled at me earlier tonight.  And I'm starting to get an objective view of the person I've been.  And I don't like what I'm seeing."

            "I can understand that.  I don't know why I went so deep inside of myself.  Maybe if I hadn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."  Hermione stood up and began to pace furiously.

            Harry chuckled, "Do you suppose this is what Lupin had in mind when he assigned us to be partners?"

            "I know it is."

            "Oh?"

            "The day before he assigned the project, Professor Lupin asked me if I would agree to work with you to help him figure out what was going on in your mind.  I thought it was a damn stupid idea, but he was SO convinced that it would work." Hermione admitted. "Well," she shrugged, "The jokes on us.  It did work, didn't it?"

            Harry laughed, "Does he need to know that?" 

            "What are you one about Harry Potter?" Hermione asked.

            "He doesn't need to know that we're both recovering, does he?  I mean, he doesn't know that we (or at least I) know his evil plot.  So what do you say: wanna mess with that stodgy old professor's mind?" Harry asked, a familiar mischievous glint in his eyes.

            "I haven't done anything like this in a long while," Hermione mused, "but it sounds good to me!" The two teenagers laughed and sprung out of their chairs.  Impulsively, they hugged.  Harry spun Hermione around playfully and caught her with one arm.  Suddenly, they both stopped laughing.  Hermione's dark brown eyes connected with Harry's clear green ones and they stared at each other for several minutes.  Harry slowly began pulling her closer and closer to his chest when Hermione's watch alarm went of loudly. "That will be the potion, Harry..." Hermione murmured, not meeting his eyes.

            "It can wait," he whispered.

            Hermione pulled back carefully and looking apologetic, she grabbed his hand and pulled him down to the dungeons. 

*

a/n: That was a nice long chapter... (3,168 words.) You might not see an update until after 8/24, as I leave on vacation next Tuesday.  I'll try to get another chapter up before I go, though.  Hope you all enjoy.  This was a REALLY HARD CHAPTER TO WRITE!  So review and make me happy, lol.