'Can't Make You Love Me'
Chapter Two
By
Ponderer
One Week Later –
The week seemed to move way too fast for Harry's liking. Everyone tried to ignore the subject of Christiana's trip but it still loomed over his head, like a storm cloud about to pour down rain. He tried to think positively, remembering their conversation from his birthday, how they could pull through it together. But, as the end of the week came, his nerves got to the best of him. Every chance he had, he'd be with her, touching her arm, holding her hand, anything physical contact so he'd know she was there for the time being. Hermione looked on sadly, feeling deeply sorry for her best friend, but had no clue what to do to make him feel better.
Harry wasn't the only one having to deal with the trip. Christiana became slightly possessive of Harry, trying to show how he was hers and hers alone so everyone knew well enough to leave him be while she was gone away. Between that and getting the last minute details done at work, she was having a wonderful time thinking of her months away, traveling the world. To even things over, Ron and Harry decided to throw a Bon Voyage party for her at their flat. Everyone was invited and it seemed to be the perfect idea.
Surprisingly enough, the party seemed to depress Harry even more by seeing how excited Christiana appeared. Hermione noticed how lonely he looked, just sitting in a corner with a beer, watching everyone else having a good time. Grinning sadly, she excused herself from Sirius and made her way over to Harry. He gave another large gulp of his Muggle beer before he saw his best friend coming his way.
"Hey there," he smiled faintly. Hermione stood before him, her stance showing her worry and concern toward her friend.
"Hey yourself," she replied. "Why aren't you up and around?" She took a seat next to him on the couch, making herself comfortable.
"I don't know. Just not really up to anything tonight. Who was that guy you were talking to earlier?" he asked instead, slightly changing the subject. It didn't go unnoticed by Hermione but she went with it nonetheless.
"Oh, it's a client of Christiana's. Where is she anyway?" Hermione asked, looking around their crowded living room. Harry took another sip of his beer and shrugged.
"I'm not sure. I haven't seen her that much tonight. Once we got here, I lost her in the sea of people," Harry explained.
"Yes, it was a pretty good turnout." After a few minutes of silence between them, both watching the Weasly twins dancing about with their latest flings to the music played from the kitchen, she asked, "Why don't you go find her?"
"Who? Christiana? I don't know. She seems to be having fun without me. I don't want to ruin her night."
"You wouldn't be ruining her night Harry. Go find her," Hermione grinned patting his knee.
"I'm not so sure…" he stuttered but there was a grin on his handsome face nonetheless.
"Just go," Hermione laughed as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. He stood up, straightening his black button-up shirt.
"What about you?" he asked, looking down at her.
"I'll be fine. Have some fun okay?" Hermione asked and he nodded. She watched him disappear into the crowd, on his way to find his girl. Hermione took a final sip of her own drink before standing up and making he way to where Ginny and Draco stood by the drinks.
"Granger, what a nice little party your friends made, eh?" Draco asked, pouring himself a glass of beer while Ginny held onto him from behind.
"Yeah, they did do pretty good pulling this together," Hermione agreed.
"Where is the lady of the hour?" Ginny asked.
"Somewhere off with Harry I suppose," she shrugged.
"She looked rather lovely in that red gown," the red head admitted. Ginny was right, Hermione silently agreed. Christiana had showed up in a dashing yet elegant red gown, filling out her whole body, making her look even more stunning than she already was. With her gorgeous hair swung up into a bun, she was the most beautiful girl there. It just added bonus when she entered on Harry's arm. Lovely was an understatement and Hermione was jealous. She wasn't gorgeous, never was. All her friends were except for her, and she felt awkward being with them when everyone else looked so good. They all told her differently, telling her how beautiful she really was, but she disagreed as always. She had been known to be quite stubborn, another little perk that came with Hermione Granger. To her, she was ordinary Hermione, bookworm to all who knew her.
"As do you as well darling. Christiana has nothing on you," Draco drawled, giving Ginny a sweet kiss. Draco was right as well. Ginny was exceptionally beautiful with the perfect body, attitude, and boyfriend. Lavender was the same as well. Hermione often felt left out because she was the only single one out of the group. They all noticed her distance when they went out and once they noticed, they would bring her right back in, making her forget her earlier thoughts. She had dated several wizards and Muggles alike but had never found any of them remotely interesting.
"Yes, you do look wonderful as always Ginny," Hermione added, smiling at her friend who seemed so happy to be in Draco's arms.
"Well, you outdid yourself yet again Hermione. You're competition with the girl of honor," Ginny complimented, receiving a blush from her bushy-haired friend. She looked down at her simple outfit of a pink blouse and a short jean skirt.
"Thanks Gin," she said.
"So, who was that guy you were talking to earlier?" Draco asked, letting Ginny take a sip of his drink.
"Oh, Kyle Edwards. He's a client of Christiana's," Hermione explained. "Why?"
"Because he's been staring at you ever since you came over here," he laughed, pointing to where, indeed, Kyle was watching her intently. They shared a small smile before Hermione turned back to her friends.
"Ooh, he's cute looking," Ginny gushed.
"Yes, he is, isn't he?" Hermione said, shuffling a bit.
Don't be so nervous Granger. He looks to be pure enough to me," Draco smirked.
"Oh, he must be the complete opposite of you," Hermione replied playfully. Ginny broke into laughter and Draco opened his mouth to say something back but was stopped when Kyle walked over to where they stood.
"Hello, I'm Kyle Edwards," he said, putting his hand out towards Draco. Malfoy eyed the man carefully, acting just like Harry and Ron when a new man entered Hermione's life. He too was just as protective over her as the other two, sometimes more so.
"Draco Malfoy and this is my girlfriend Ginny Weasly," he said slowly, motioning to Ginny with his hand. Ginny shook Kyle's hand without pause.
"It's nice to meet you," she smiled and he grinned back.
"Hermione, I was wondering if you would like to dance," Kyle said, putting his attention back to her. Hermione blushed faintly but nodded.
"That would be nice. I'll see you guys later," she said before taking Kyle's offered hand and letting him lead her to where everyone else was dancing.
"He seems nice," Ginny commented, leaning back so her head was resting on Draco's shoulder.
"I guess so," he sighed, taking a drink of his beer.
"What do you mean, you guess so? Did you see how nice he was? Do you know how much guts it takes to talk to the one and only Draco Malfoy?" Ginny laughed, watching his smirk widen. She could almost see his ego growing at her words.
"Yes, I suppose. He hasn't met the other two yet has he?"
"Probably not, knowing Hermione. But, he'll meet them soon enough. I feel bad for him. He doesn't know what he's got in store with meeting the two of them. I wonder who's worse, Harry or Ron?" Ginny wondered.
"Oh, definitely Harry," Ron answered, making Ginny jump slightly from the little scare her brother just gave her.
"God Ron, don't scare me like that," she laughed, slightly slapping his arm.
"Sorry, but I overheard you. Who's that guy dancing with Hermione?" Ron asked, already in 'brother mode'.
"Ron, leave her alone. Draco already met him," Ginny said, trying to help her friend.
"And what's he like?"
"I don't know. He seems kinda wormy but your sister seems to think he's cute looking so whatever that means," Draco explained, Ron rolling his eyes.
"That's not enough information. I'll have to ask around for more," Ron thought.
"You are so ridiculous Ron. Just leave the poor boy alone. Everytime Hermione meets someone, you three have to hover over him like a hawk. It's so mean," Ginny replied.
"What? I'm just trying to protect my friend. There isn't anything wrong with that," Ron defended, his eyes beginning to turn as red as his hair.
"No, there's not Ron. But, you chase every guy away before you even get to know him. Give him a chance will you?" Ginny laughed and Ron relaxed but sighed anyway.
"I don't know. We'll see. Hey, have you seen Harry anywhere?"
"No, Hermione said he was with Christiana somewhere," Draco shrugged.
"He isn't because she's over there with her mum," Ron said, scratching his head.
"I'm not sure, do you want us to keep an eye out for you?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to go see if I can find him. I'll see you two later. Watch that guy will you Draco?" Ron asked and left, leaving a frowning Ginny and smirking Draco.
Author's Note: All right, I know this is a stupid place to stop but I knew this chapter would take forever if I didn't stop it now. Okay, I tried one of those affects where it goes from one person to another. It won't always be like that, but I challenged myself to do it this chapter. The next one will be the ending of what would have been this chapter.
I would like to say sorry for taking so long, everyone's been really patient. But, I got really stuck with what was going to happen next. And I would like to thank everyone for seeing any errors I made. Christiana is indeed a Muggle, I'm sorry for not making that clear. Um… I promise this will be an H/Hr no matter what it seems like now. So, would everyone stop saying how they want Christiana to go? I have everything planned out and it will go that way. I won't disappoint anyone, or at least, I'll try not to. So, just enjoy, okay? All right. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
-- Ponderer
