'Can't Make You Love Me'
Chapter Five
by
Ponderer
Hermione had no clue as what to think of the current situation. Harry sat to her right, telling jokes, acting just like himself, and that kind of scared her. What was going through his mind? One minute, he'd been as depressed as usual, than he turned around, back to normal, or maybe more happy. Stephen didn't seem unfazed by this, because he'd never met Harry before, and had only heard what the amazing tales he had overheard of the famous Harry Potter. Ron noticed the change to, looking confused while Harry continued on his way, happily exchanging remarks back and forth between him and Stephen. Lavender was currently admiring the way everyone was dancing at the club, and didn't notice anyone else at the table, clearly bored. Hermione felt for her, she knew she would be bored as well if her boyfriend was ignoring her. But, she had Stephen's warm, big hand on her bare knee, and she felt content, even though her head was telling her to concentrate on Harry's behavior.
"Gosh Hermione, why haven't you introduced me to your friends sooner?" Stephen asked, turning to her with a big grin on his face. Hermione smiled back slightly, then looking towards Harry who had a strange look on his face.
"Well, I guess I needed you all to myself first," she said, not knowing why if felt weird to say it to Stephen, but he didn't mind, he was smiling too much.
"She's great, isn't she?" he said, directing his attention back to Harry, who's face had changed dramatically once Hermione's words had left her mouth.
"Yes, she is something," he said, kind of quiet, but Ron heard him. Shocked, Ron looked toward Hermione, wondering if she had heard their friend. Seeing that she didn't, he got her attention.
"Hermione, could you walk with me to the bar? I think another round is in order," Ron said, excusing himself from the table. Hermione nodded, then followed her red-headed friend. The bar was packed and the bartender looked swamped so they waited in line silently and patiently. "So, Stephen sounds like a great guy," he started.
"Yes, he's great," she agreed, smiling slightly.
"Okay, I can't stand this, have you noticed the change in Harry tonight?" Ron asked, his ears becoming red because of his impatience. Hermione thanked him for that in her head because she couldn't stand the small talk they were engaging in.
"Yes, I didn't know what was going on. I mean, I was there when Christiana called and I don't know, one minute he was all holed up like every other day, but then he came into the kitchen, a whole different attitude with him," Hermione explained. She waited a minute for Ron to take it all in, looking down at her feet briefly.
"I don't get him sometimes. Do you think we have something to worry about? Anything else unusual that you've caught?" he asked, the line moving a little. Hermione searched her mind for anything peculiar.
"No, nothing lately. Maybe something happened on the phone? Maybe Christiana talked some sense into him," Hermione suggested.
"Nah, I mean, she's great for him and all, but something's off about her. I talked to her once when she called, and she seems almost too glad to be away," Ron said, shaking his head firmly.
"I agree. I talked to her today, and it doesn't even seem like she misses the poor bloke. He's here, a complete mess without her and there she is wherever she is, having the time of her life," Hermione said, almost jealous.
"You don't think she'd ever do something away from him do you?" Ron asked, more quietly.
"I'm not sure, but I hope not for his sake," Hermione answered him.
When they got back from the bar, Harry was dancing with Lavender out with the crowd. Ron set the drinks down and went out to find his girlfriend to dance, leaving Hermione alone with her date. Stephen stretched his arm out while Hermione sat down so she would sit close to him. She placed her hand on his knee and looked up at him seriously. "I'm sorry I had to drag you out here like this, meeting my friends. I didn't mean for this to happen, honestly. But, Harry, I don't know what's going on with him tonight. And I'm sorry that our first date was ruined," she rambled on, not sure how Stephen would take it. She knew it wouldn't be a total waste if nothing happened between them. He had just been a nice guy to her at work, and extremely attractive, which led to some physical attraction. Funny enough, he found her attractive as well but both knew it was just a fling, someone to be with on lonely nights.
"Why are you sorry? I've been having a wonderful time. Harry's great, and so is Ron and his girl, and you, you're wonderful as well," he grinned lazily, kissing her cheek sweetly. Hermione grinned, glad to have him be like this, but it still bothered her.
"Are you sure? We could leave you know. No one's around to noticeā¦" she started, still unsure but was interrupted by Harry's entrance.
"You aren't planning on ditching us are you?" he asked, his big goofy grin on his face. He sat down across from them, looking completely innocent as usual and Hermione sighed. Damn you Potter, she thought to herself, knowing she could never tell the man no. That's why she was there in the first place.
"No, we aren't going anywhere," Hermione smiled, looking up at Stephen.
"Good," Harry grinned, then began nursing his drink. Lavender and Ron came back sometime later, both red from dancing.
"Hermione, let's go hit the dance floor for a bit, shall we?" Stephen asked, standing up and handing his hand out to her. She nodded and accepted, following him. The music was louder there than at the table and it was hard to hear Stephen chat. She kept getting closer to him, trying to hear him, as he tried in vain to speak loudly enough. Soon, they were so close, they had to stop dancing and he got a funny look in his eye. Before Hermione could do anything, Stephen's lips had closed over hers in their first kiss.
Harry had been watching them for sometime and couldn't describe the feeling in his stomach as he watched them laugh and talk while dancing around happily. He knew he should be happy for his best friend, as he could for Ron and how he hoped she was for him and Christiana. So why was he feeling different now? And the feeling got worse when he turned his head and found Hermione kissing someone else.
Hermione felt ill when she tried to nicely back away from Stephen's kiss. It wasn't that he was a good kisser, because he was, but it just didn't feel right. She didn't like kissing him, she would rather kiss Harry. Her heart stopped and she pulled away immediately. Harry? Why would she rather kiss him? Stephen looked confused as to why Hermione backed away, but said nothing as she gave him a tight hug before resuming to dance. Turning in circles, Hermione's glance went to the table where she saw Harry staring at her, an expression on his face that she couldn't decipher.
Later that night, when everyone went home, Harry and Hermione sat on the couch in silence, staring at the flames in the fire, both in their own worlds. She turned to him, thoughtfully, and asked him what had been on her mind all night. "Why did you want to go out so badly tonight? Especially when I had a date?"
Harry turned to her in surprise from her second question. He knew the answer, deep down, but he was still in denial. "I just thought it'd be nice to go out. Is that such a bad thing? I hope I didn't ruin anything but I think your date did it on his own," Harry replied coolly and Hermione's eyes widened.
"Stephen did nothing wrong. I had a good time with him. But, you knew it was our first date, why did you insist on tagging along? You could have went out with other friends," she shot back, trying to control herself.
"Well, I'm sorry I wanted to be with my best friends for an evening. I'll make sure not to make that mistake again," Harry replied sarcastically. Hermione huffed and started to go upstairs, hearing enough but Harry wasn't done. "So, was he a good kisser?"
"What is it to you Harry? Huh? Is there something you don't like about Stephen? I'm sorry if he doesn't measure to your standards but I like him and I don't really care what you think of him," Hermione said, her hands on her hips. Harry stood up and started walking towards her quickly.
"Just, answer my question," he answered huskily and Hermione saw how his mood had changed dramatically within seconds. Desire built in the green pools and she didn't bother resisting an answer.
"Yes," she lied.
"Well, I guess you've never had any better," he said, and leaned in, almost slowly, making Hermione ache in anticipation. She knew it was wrong and she should have felt guilty, but once his lips touched hers, she knew she wouldn't stop him.
Author's Note: I hope this chapter was good. It took me a few days to get it right, for what I wanted to say. I didn't want to make the date go any longer, and their little 'fight' so I made them right to the point. I had waiting for stuff and I figured everyone else does as well. If not, I'm sorry. Use your imaginations. As to what happens next, you'll just have to wait and find out! You know what to do! Read/Review!
-- Ponderer
