AHH! :: ducks flying objects :: Sorry for the EXTREME delay, but this is a
big chapter, and I had a lot of school stuff to do . . . But since summer
has started, I'm going to try to finish this A-SAP and then start a new
fic.
I hope you guys like this chapter, because I think that it's kinda bad in some parts, but then I was almost crying when I was writing other parts . . . Have fun, and PLEASE REVIEW!!!
(P.S. I know the magazine title is stupid, but I was too lazy to think of anything else . . .)
Songs in the Chapter: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
CHAPTER SEVEN
~ The Fight ~
After Valentine's Day, Harry and Hermione were practically inseparable. Ron had started to call them 'Mr. and Mrs. Potter', much to the couple's chagrin.
~~~~~
A couple of months later, seventh year was almost at an end, and the near- witches and wizards were anxious to graduate.
The teachers, however, had other ideas. They gave more homework than ever, hoping to give the students extra preparation for their N.E.W.T.s.
Ron, however, did not believe the professors. He thoroughly believed that the entire faculty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was set on torturing them beyond reason, wanting to reduce the students to ghosts before the school year was over.
He presented the idea to Professor Lupin, who chuckled in merriment. However, the students noticed a decrease of homework in that class, so Ron decided to announce his theory in front of Professor Snape. This time, he did not meet with success.
~~~~~
That explained why Harry and Ron found themselves in their dormitory, writing a 6-scroll essay on the History of Potions. They were working quite diligently. That is, they were before Hedwig delivered "The Rolling Cauldrons", the magical worlds #1 music magazine.
"Hey, Ron, we're in this one!" Harry yelled excitedly as he opened the magazine. Harry's happy expression, however, soon turned into one of anger.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"How could they?" Harry questioned, enraged. He started to read. "Stratagem was on the path to stardom. That was before Hermione Malfoy joined. Can't you see she has not talent? Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do."
Harry looked at Ron, not noticing the brunette in the corner, on the verge of tears.
~~~~~
Hermione has spent her entire week preparing for the looming N.E.W.T.s, and since she had already completed her homework, Hermione decided to visit Harry and Ron.
Scampering up the stairs to the boys' dormitories, she knocked on the door, but didn't receive an answer. Hearing Harry and Ron's angry voices, Hermione decided to go in anyways.
Opening the door, Hermione heard Harry speaking, and strained her ears to hear what he was saying, " . . . talent? Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do."
~~~~~
Harry heard a muffled sob coming from the corner of the room, and turned to the source, surprised to find a crying Hermione.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked, worried.
Hermione glared at him. " 'Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do?' Oh, I see how it is. You can just go find a new drummer." She walked over to the door and turned back to Harry. "AND a new girlfriend." With that, she left the dormitory, slamming the door behind her.
Harry could do little more than sit silently, amazed and confused at what just happened between he and Hermione.
~~~~~
The next day, the news of Harry and Hermione's break up spread like wildfire. The breakup caused the Slytherins to hate Harry even more, since they felt it was their duty to protect Draco's sister.
The Gryffindors also looked at Harry with enmity. They blamed him for loss of Hermione as a drummer, and they no longer had a better band than any of the other houses.
"Ron, why does everyone hate me?" Harry asked uneasily as he caught the angry glares many students were giving him.
Ron remained silent. Harry had a hard day. He didn't need another reason to get him down.
~~~~~
On the way to the Potions classroom, the two ran into a furious Draco Malfoy.
Harry, recalling Draco's threat, gulped fearfully. "He . . . hello." He said, trying to sound stronger than he felt.
"Bastard."
Harry realized what was going to happen a second before it did: Draco's fist collided with Harry's jaw with a sickening thud, causing Harry to fall to the floor.
Ron stepped forward to initiate a fight as Harry got up to do the same. However, before any of them were able to do anything, a voice rang out that stopped the three young men.
"Draco! Stop!" Harry turned to see Hermione walking down the stairs, but she did not look at him once.
"Hermione, why don't you continue where I left off?" Draco asked, sneering at Harry.
Hermione turned to view Harry with scorn. "As much as the jerk deserves it, he's not worth getting in trouble. Come on, I don't want to be late for class."
Hermione walked into the classroom and Draco followed her, sending Harry one last glare.
Harry slumped against the wall, Ron comforting him. "She really doesn't like me anymore, does she?" Harry asked in the silent corridor to no one in particular.
~~~~~
The next week, Hermione was still hanging out with Draco and his Slytherin friends, and Harry was still shunned by most of the student population.
The weather had been extremely sunny for an English spring, so Dumbledore granted a day of no classes so the students could enjoy the sun.
Harry decided to fly his broom, since Ron and Lavender were on a picnic. As he was practicing, Harry saw Hermione, Draco, and some other Slytherins walk onto the grounds and sit, talking and laughing.
A few minutes later, Harry saw Draco magically conjuring a stage and summoning various instruments.
Harry tried not to notice how cute Hermione looked while playing the drums, but he soon found himself halted in mid-air, watching Hermione as she played her drums.
After the song was finished, Harry saw Draco urging Hermione to play something on his guitar. The Slytherins cheered her on, and Hermione, blushing, consented.
Before she started to sing, Hermione looked up at Harry. Keeping her gaze locked with his, she began to play.
"You and me
We used to be together
Every day together
Always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe this could be
The end."
Harry noticed Hermione's eyes grow wet. Of course he was just seeing things, she didn't care about him anymore, did she?
"Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts.
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts."
Harry couldn't take it anymore. He flew away, wiping tears from his eyes.
Hermione saw Harry speed away, and her tears fell down her cheeks. She handed Draco his guitar and ran to her dormitory, crying all the way.
~~~~~
Parvati heard someone crying in the seventh year girls' dormitory, and opened the door to find Hermione sobbing loudly.
"Oh Hermione," Parvati soothed as she gave Hermione a hug. "It's Harry, isn't it?"
Hermione nodded. "Does he not care about me anymore?"
"Of course he still cares for you. But don't worry, you'll find someone else."
"Not like Harry." Hermione sighed. "I think I love him."
~~~~~
Two weeks passed, and Hermione still would not even look at Harry and Ron. She always looked like she was going to cry at any moment, and Harry wasn't much better.
After dinner one night in the Great Hall, Dumbledore announced that the Seventh Years' Dance was to be held on Saturday, only 4 days away.
Parvati was pleading Hermione to go. "Come on, it'll be fun!"
"Yeah, that's what you think."
Further down the Gryffindor table, Ron was trying to convince Harry to do the same thing.
Finally, the two decided to go, each hoping that the other wouldn't be there.
~~~~~
Harry knew it was a mistake for him to come as soon as he saw Hermione. She looked beautiful, as always. He didn't know if he could stand seeing her sensually dancing with anyone but him.
It didn't seem like Hermione was happy to see him either. When she caught sight of him, she turned around and walked to the other side of the dance floor, determined not to see him, for fear she would cry her heart out for the one-hundredth time.
~~~~~
About 30 minutes passed, and Harry hadn't stopped looking at Hermione once. She had danced with many guys, but never for too long. Harry had many girls ask him to dance, but he politely declined all of them. No girl could ever measure up to Hermione.
~~~~~
Hermione could feel Harry's gaze as his eyes never once looked at anyone but her. She tried to ignore him, but Hermione found it more and more difficult to forget he was observing her every move.
Hermione saw Dean talking to Seamus and Neville, and a Malfoy smirk appeared on her face as she formed a plan. If Harry insisted on staring at her, he was going to get a show.
Hermione walked up to Dean and asked him to dance. As she led him to the dance floor, Hermione glanced back to see Harry's eyes narrow in anger.
Good. He was jealous.
Hermione tried to be inconspicuous as she gauged Harry's reaction, but Dean still understood what she was trying to do.
"Are you just trying to make Harry jealous by dancing with me?" He asked, amused.
Hermione blushed. "Maybe . . ."
Dean laughed. "Well, we can do better than this," he replied, pulling Hermione closer.
This time it was Hermione's turn to laugh.
"So, why are you mad at Harry?"
"Why do you think?"
"Well, Harry was saying that you came in and heard what he was reading from "The Rolling Cauldrons" and you thought it was his own opinion." Dean stated matter-of-factly.
Hermione froze. "Are you serious?"
Dean nodded. "Harry could never explain because you wouldn't let him come near you."
Hermione felt tears flow down her face. She had made the biggest mistake of her life.
She turned to where Harry was standing before, only to find him walking out the doors.
"I . . . I have to go," Hermione said absent-mindedly, running after Harry.
Dean shook his head in amazement. How long would it take them to realize they were head over heels in love with each other?
~~~~~
"Harry!"
Harry turned and saw Hermione running after him. He couldn't take it anymore. He turned around and continued walking.
"No! Please . . ."
Hermione grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around. She gasped at the tears running down his face. "I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry . . ."
Harry wrenched his arm out of her grasp. "You know, I am too. The one girl who has ever meant something to me doesn't trust me. Do you know how that feels?" Harry turned around and resumed his trip to the common room.
Hermione glanced up at Harry's retreating back. The she realized that it didn't matter if Harry didn't love her. She would always love him.
"Yes!" Hermione yelled as Harry's retreating figure. "I know exactly how it feels! All my boyfriends have used me as a drummer. None of them cared about the real me. When I came here, I knew you were different. I walked into your room that day, and I thought you were just like the rest. But you're not. You know why?" Hermione's vision blurred as tears flowed down her face once more. "You know why, Harry? Because I LOVE YOU!"
Hermione saw Harry turn the corner before she fell against the wall, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Because I love you," She whispered.
Hermione stood there for what felt like an eternity when she felt a hand under her chin. Opening her eyes, Hermione saw the emerald eyes she loved looking into hers.
"I love you too." Harry whispered before he covered her mouth with his/
Hermione felt Harry's own tears fall on her cheeks as he kissed her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, not wanting anything between them.
Reluctantly, Harry broke the kiss, breathing hard. Hermione still had her eyes closed, and Harry lightly kissed her eyelids.
Hermione sighed and placed her head on Harry's shoulder. They stood like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Harry."
~ THE END OF CHAPTER SEVEN ~
All right, you may not have thought it was great, but the last scene really pulled my heartstrings. Of course, if I were Harry I wouldn't just forgive her like that, but hey, this is fan fiction, not the real world . . .
Please review, and leave ideas, because I might be able to incorporate some and get you the next chapter faster!
Chapter Preview: Eight - The Proposal
Proposal . . . I wonder what that could mean? Let's just say Harry and Hermione get pretty close, and it's the SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER!!! I hope you enjoy chapter seven, review review REVIEW! (I want to be REAL subtle . . .)
I hope you guys like this chapter, because I think that it's kinda bad in some parts, but then I was almost crying when I was writing other parts . . . Have fun, and PLEASE REVIEW!!!
(P.S. I know the magazine title is stupid, but I was too lazy to think of anything else . . .)
Songs in the Chapter: "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
CHAPTER SEVEN
~ The Fight ~
After Valentine's Day, Harry and Hermione were practically inseparable. Ron had started to call them 'Mr. and Mrs. Potter', much to the couple's chagrin.
~~~~~
A couple of months later, seventh year was almost at an end, and the near- witches and wizards were anxious to graduate.
The teachers, however, had other ideas. They gave more homework than ever, hoping to give the students extra preparation for their N.E.W.T.s.
Ron, however, did not believe the professors. He thoroughly believed that the entire faculty of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was set on torturing them beyond reason, wanting to reduce the students to ghosts before the school year was over.
He presented the idea to Professor Lupin, who chuckled in merriment. However, the students noticed a decrease of homework in that class, so Ron decided to announce his theory in front of Professor Snape. This time, he did not meet with success.
~~~~~
That explained why Harry and Ron found themselves in their dormitory, writing a 6-scroll essay on the History of Potions. They were working quite diligently. That is, they were before Hedwig delivered "The Rolling Cauldrons", the magical worlds #1 music magazine.
"Hey, Ron, we're in this one!" Harry yelled excitedly as he opened the magazine. Harry's happy expression, however, soon turned into one of anger.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"How could they?" Harry questioned, enraged. He started to read. "Stratagem was on the path to stardom. That was before Hermione Malfoy joined. Can't you see she has not talent? Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do."
Harry looked at Ron, not noticing the brunette in the corner, on the verge of tears.
~~~~~
Hermione has spent her entire week preparing for the looming N.E.W.T.s, and since she had already completed her homework, Hermione decided to visit Harry and Ron.
Scampering up the stairs to the boys' dormitories, she knocked on the door, but didn't receive an answer. Hearing Harry and Ron's angry voices, Hermione decided to go in anyways.
Opening the door, Hermione heard Harry speaking, and strained her ears to hear what he was saying, " . . . talent? Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do."
~~~~~
Harry heard a muffled sob coming from the corner of the room, and turned to the source, surprised to find a crying Hermione.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked, worried.
Hermione glared at him. " 'Hermione Malfoy plays the drums worse than I do?' Oh, I see how it is. You can just go find a new drummer." She walked over to the door and turned back to Harry. "AND a new girlfriend." With that, she left the dormitory, slamming the door behind her.
Harry could do little more than sit silently, amazed and confused at what just happened between he and Hermione.
~~~~~
The next day, the news of Harry and Hermione's break up spread like wildfire. The breakup caused the Slytherins to hate Harry even more, since they felt it was their duty to protect Draco's sister.
The Gryffindors also looked at Harry with enmity. They blamed him for loss of Hermione as a drummer, and they no longer had a better band than any of the other houses.
"Ron, why does everyone hate me?" Harry asked uneasily as he caught the angry glares many students were giving him.
Ron remained silent. Harry had a hard day. He didn't need another reason to get him down.
~~~~~
On the way to the Potions classroom, the two ran into a furious Draco Malfoy.
Harry, recalling Draco's threat, gulped fearfully. "He . . . hello." He said, trying to sound stronger than he felt.
"Bastard."
Harry realized what was going to happen a second before it did: Draco's fist collided with Harry's jaw with a sickening thud, causing Harry to fall to the floor.
Ron stepped forward to initiate a fight as Harry got up to do the same. However, before any of them were able to do anything, a voice rang out that stopped the three young men.
"Draco! Stop!" Harry turned to see Hermione walking down the stairs, but she did not look at him once.
"Hermione, why don't you continue where I left off?" Draco asked, sneering at Harry.
Hermione turned to view Harry with scorn. "As much as the jerk deserves it, he's not worth getting in trouble. Come on, I don't want to be late for class."
Hermione walked into the classroom and Draco followed her, sending Harry one last glare.
Harry slumped against the wall, Ron comforting him. "She really doesn't like me anymore, does she?" Harry asked in the silent corridor to no one in particular.
~~~~~
The next week, Hermione was still hanging out with Draco and his Slytherin friends, and Harry was still shunned by most of the student population.
The weather had been extremely sunny for an English spring, so Dumbledore granted a day of no classes so the students could enjoy the sun.
Harry decided to fly his broom, since Ron and Lavender were on a picnic. As he was practicing, Harry saw Hermione, Draco, and some other Slytherins walk onto the grounds and sit, talking and laughing.
A few minutes later, Harry saw Draco magically conjuring a stage and summoning various instruments.
Harry tried not to notice how cute Hermione looked while playing the drums, but he soon found himself halted in mid-air, watching Hermione as she played her drums.
After the song was finished, Harry saw Draco urging Hermione to play something on his guitar. The Slytherins cheered her on, and Hermione, blushing, consented.
Before she started to sing, Hermione looked up at Harry. Keeping her gaze locked with his, she began to play.
"You and me
We used to be together
Every day together
Always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe this could be
The end."
Harry noticed Hermione's eyes grow wet. Of course he was just seeing things, she didn't care about him anymore, did she?
"Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts.
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts."
Harry couldn't take it anymore. He flew away, wiping tears from his eyes.
Hermione saw Harry speed away, and her tears fell down her cheeks. She handed Draco his guitar and ran to her dormitory, crying all the way.
~~~~~
Parvati heard someone crying in the seventh year girls' dormitory, and opened the door to find Hermione sobbing loudly.
"Oh Hermione," Parvati soothed as she gave Hermione a hug. "It's Harry, isn't it?"
Hermione nodded. "Does he not care about me anymore?"
"Of course he still cares for you. But don't worry, you'll find someone else."
"Not like Harry." Hermione sighed. "I think I love him."
~~~~~
Two weeks passed, and Hermione still would not even look at Harry and Ron. She always looked like she was going to cry at any moment, and Harry wasn't much better.
After dinner one night in the Great Hall, Dumbledore announced that the Seventh Years' Dance was to be held on Saturday, only 4 days away.
Parvati was pleading Hermione to go. "Come on, it'll be fun!"
"Yeah, that's what you think."
Further down the Gryffindor table, Ron was trying to convince Harry to do the same thing.
Finally, the two decided to go, each hoping that the other wouldn't be there.
~~~~~
Harry knew it was a mistake for him to come as soon as he saw Hermione. She looked beautiful, as always. He didn't know if he could stand seeing her sensually dancing with anyone but him.
It didn't seem like Hermione was happy to see him either. When she caught sight of him, she turned around and walked to the other side of the dance floor, determined not to see him, for fear she would cry her heart out for the one-hundredth time.
~~~~~
About 30 minutes passed, and Harry hadn't stopped looking at Hermione once. She had danced with many guys, but never for too long. Harry had many girls ask him to dance, but he politely declined all of them. No girl could ever measure up to Hermione.
~~~~~
Hermione could feel Harry's gaze as his eyes never once looked at anyone but her. She tried to ignore him, but Hermione found it more and more difficult to forget he was observing her every move.
Hermione saw Dean talking to Seamus and Neville, and a Malfoy smirk appeared on her face as she formed a plan. If Harry insisted on staring at her, he was going to get a show.
Hermione walked up to Dean and asked him to dance. As she led him to the dance floor, Hermione glanced back to see Harry's eyes narrow in anger.
Good. He was jealous.
Hermione tried to be inconspicuous as she gauged Harry's reaction, but Dean still understood what she was trying to do.
"Are you just trying to make Harry jealous by dancing with me?" He asked, amused.
Hermione blushed. "Maybe . . ."
Dean laughed. "Well, we can do better than this," he replied, pulling Hermione closer.
This time it was Hermione's turn to laugh.
"So, why are you mad at Harry?"
"Why do you think?"
"Well, Harry was saying that you came in and heard what he was reading from "The Rolling Cauldrons" and you thought it was his own opinion." Dean stated matter-of-factly.
Hermione froze. "Are you serious?"
Dean nodded. "Harry could never explain because you wouldn't let him come near you."
Hermione felt tears flow down her face. She had made the biggest mistake of her life.
She turned to where Harry was standing before, only to find him walking out the doors.
"I . . . I have to go," Hermione said absent-mindedly, running after Harry.
Dean shook his head in amazement. How long would it take them to realize they were head over heels in love with each other?
~~~~~
"Harry!"
Harry turned and saw Hermione running after him. He couldn't take it anymore. He turned around and continued walking.
"No! Please . . ."
Hermione grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around. She gasped at the tears running down his face. "I'm sorry . . . I'm so sorry . . ."
Harry wrenched his arm out of her grasp. "You know, I am too. The one girl who has ever meant something to me doesn't trust me. Do you know how that feels?" Harry turned around and resumed his trip to the common room.
Hermione glanced up at Harry's retreating back. The she realized that it didn't matter if Harry didn't love her. She would always love him.
"Yes!" Hermione yelled as Harry's retreating figure. "I know exactly how it feels! All my boyfriends have used me as a drummer. None of them cared about the real me. When I came here, I knew you were different. I walked into your room that day, and I thought you were just like the rest. But you're not. You know why?" Hermione's vision blurred as tears flowed down her face once more. "You know why, Harry? Because I LOVE YOU!"
Hermione saw Harry turn the corner before she fell against the wall, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Because I love you," She whispered.
Hermione stood there for what felt like an eternity when she felt a hand under her chin. Opening her eyes, Hermione saw the emerald eyes she loved looking into hers.
"I love you too." Harry whispered before he covered her mouth with his/
Hermione felt Harry's own tears fall on her cheeks as he kissed her passionately. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, not wanting anything between them.
Reluctantly, Harry broke the kiss, breathing hard. Hermione still had her eyes closed, and Harry lightly kissed her eyelids.
Hermione sighed and placed her head on Harry's shoulder. They stood like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Harry."
~ THE END OF CHAPTER SEVEN ~
All right, you may not have thought it was great, but the last scene really pulled my heartstrings. Of course, if I were Harry I wouldn't just forgive her like that, but hey, this is fan fiction, not the real world . . .
Please review, and leave ideas, because I might be able to incorporate some and get you the next chapter faster!
Chapter Preview: Eight - The Proposal
Proposal . . . I wonder what that could mean? Let's just say Harry and Hermione get pretty close, and it's the SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER!!! I hope you enjoy chapter seven, review review REVIEW! (I want to be REAL subtle . . .)
