Can't Make You Love Me

Chapter 8

By

Ponderer

            Hermione planted herself on the doorstep to her home the next day after much talk with Ginny and Draco the night before. Draco had told her everything that had went on with Harry, and she decided to go back the next day. She was scared, she would admit that, but more than anything, she had the feeling that her friendship with Harry would never be the same and that scared her more. They had always been friends, ever since first year. A part of her wanted to believe everything would be okay, that nothing would ever come between them. But, they weren't children anymore. They couldn't believe in that anymore. Things were different now, whether they liked it or not. What they could do though was make the best of it. And that's exactly what Hermione was going to do.

            Slowly opening the door, she peeked around the foyer, finding no one in that area but she could feel Harry's presence so she closed the door, not caring if he heard it or not. Whatever she wanted though, Harry had heard it and was at the door within seconds. He stopped right in his spot when he saw her standing there. He wanted to rush forward and hold her, tell her how sorry he was for what he had done but he knew he couldn't. She had to go to him. "Hello," he said, breaking the silence.

            "Hi," she answered back quietly. Shoving her hands nervously inside her jean pockets, she watched him carefully, wondering herself what exactly to do. Before she could help herself though, she launched herself into his arms and held onto him tightly. Harry was surprised but extremely glad that she had made the first move and had broken the strange silence that had never happened between them. "I missed you," she whispered as he wrapped his arms around her.

            "Hermione, I wanted to tell you…" Harry started but she interrupted him first.

            "No, I missed you Harry. I missed you so much that I couldn't stop crying and I had to stay away from you for a whole night because I couldn't stand the thought of something between us changing. And I was so scared that I wouldn't ever be able to talk to you again, let alone to hug you and now that I'm here I don't ever want to leave, but I'm just so confused and I don't know what to else to do," she rambled on, hot tears running down her cheeks, her brown eyes red and swollen. Harry gulped. She was crying because of him. Why had he done this to her? She hadn't deserved this. Yet, neither had he. He was just as confused as her.

            "I missed you too Hermione," Harry told her quietly, her words getting cut off. She sniffled slightly before pulling away to look him in the eye.

            "Why did you kiss me last night?"

            "Why did you kiss me back?" he questioned back.

            "I don't know. Do you know why?" Hermione asked, wiping her face with one hand while the other held onto his arm tightly.

            "No. Maybe we should go talk, get comfortable. This might be awhile," he offered and Hermione nodded. Harry led her into the living room, where everything was the same as the night before. Her book lay untouched on the lounge chair while her mug was sitting on the table beside it. Harry sat on the couch while Hermione chose to sit on the chair across from him. They faced each other without speaking before Hermione spoke.

            "What happened last night, it was very special. I mean, best friends don't just kiss like that. It must mean something. But then again, why hasn't it happened before? Maybe when one of us wasn't in a relationship," she said, voicing one way of what was going on.

            "That would have made it easy. But, it's not now. We have to decide what to do," Harry answered. Hermione looked at him for a moment, and then looked down at her clasped hands.

            "Maybe what we should do, is kiss again to see if the feelings are there. If not, then we can say it was just the heat of the moment and that's that. But, if we do feel something, we'll have to see what to do," she offered, wondering what Harry would say.

            "I guess that's the only way then," Harry agreed and got up from the couch and made his way over to her. Kneeling in front of her, she leaned over to him brushing his hair from his eyes. He slipped his hand across her shoulder, before bringing her forward, their lips brushing. That's when he felt it. Something he'd never felt before. That magical feeling Sirius had always spoken of about his parents. He waited a moment, letting Hermione do as she pleased and he was awarded with her lips opening under his and her fingers dragging in his hair. He allowed himself to let a groan escape his throat before pushing his tongue in her mouth, not believing all the feelings that were going through his body at her touches. After a few minutes of searching one another, Hermione pulled away, her lips swollen and red from Harry's sweet kisses. She looked at him before pushing herself away, leaving Harry feeling slightly askew.

            "Well, what did you feel?" he asked her carefully.

            "Nothing," she said after a moment and he looked at her surprised. "What?"

            "How could you feel nothing? Hermione, as much as this scares me, there is something between us. I felt it! And don't tell me you didn't feel it too!" He exclaimed, standing from his position and beginning to pace around the room.

            "So maybe I did feel something! Maybe it's something I've always wished for! But we can't exactly have it, can we? I mean, you're in a relationship with a wonderful person and you're happy with her. Why should I come in between that?" She yelled back, crossing her arms over her chest protectively.

            "Why shouldn't you? Maybe I'm not as happy as I seemed to be! And I think we can have that. And just maybe, you aren't the only one that felt that too!" Harry replied quieter than his earlier response. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes at his words, and she felt her heart beating quickly. Harry as well felt different, now that he had told her something that he didn't even know. He loved her. He loved Hermione. "I love you," he said, the realization hitting him full force and he said it so quietly, Hermione wasn't sure she heard him right.

            "What?" she asked tearfully, stepping forward a bit.

            Harry shook his head slightly before moving towards her, his face inches away from hers. "I love you Hermione. That's all I've ever wanted, to be with you, except I didn't know that's what I wanted. I just had one taste of you and I know I want more, need more. I know it's sudden and yes, I'm in another relationship, but I've never felt more for anyone than I feel for you right now."

            "You sound so clichĂ© right now," Hermione said chuckling, making light of the serious conversation.

            "So what? It's what I needed to say," he smiled back.

            "I love you too," she said softly, watching him lean forward to capture her lips.

            "Good," he replied and right before she felt his lips, she woke up in a cold sweat, finding herself at Ginny's apartment sprawled out on the guest bed. She sat up fast, holding her head in her hands. What was that? She didn't love Harry, at least not in that way. She didn't think so anyway. But, she did know one thing. She needed to go away and think about everything. Her brain and heart both agreeing, she fell back into her deep slumber, hoping for the right answers.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, yes, I fooled you all! This whole chapter was simply a dream. I had it to be the end of the story and I had it ready to be posted and all, but then I felt guilty and decided to change it to keep the story going. I'm tired of making a great idea turn to crap because I can't finish it right. So, I'm going to keep this going as long as the people want me to. But, a fair warning, I might be starting a D/Hr fic sometime in the future so don't be upset! I'm simply warming up to another coupling but I'm still very H/Hr. So, just keep reviewing and everything will be fine! As always, review and leave any comments you may have!

Thanks!

-- Ponderer