Chapter three: A REVELATION
The day was very long for Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years. Having double potions always soiled what could have been a decent day. Snape was horribly prejudiced towards his Slytherin students. When a Slytherin answered a question incorrectly he was awarded with several points, if a Gryffindor answered correctly, points were deducted for boasting. Hermione was the student whom Snape attacked most viciously for her intellectual skills. Harry and Ron knew how much it annoyed her when an exam was returned to her with some points deducted without a justifiable explanation. Hermione's grades in potions suffered because, according to Snape, she was an "incurable know it all". Hermione knew better then to complain about this because Snape was notorious for being extremely unfair in all circumstances, except to the Slytherins.
After the Gryffindors survived the everlasting time in the cold dungeons being criticized unjustly by the professor and tormented by his favored pupils, they returned to their dormitories and due to their frustration and exhaustion, collapsed onto their beds. After a quick nap Harry went to the girls' dormitories to wake Hermione. He wanted to know if she was ready to speak to Dumbledore about her hideous secret.
Harry was afraid that he might find his friend having that recurring nightmare about her breakup with Krum, but he was shocked to find something else. Hermione was tossing and turning in her bed, and as Harry reached down to shake her shoulder he heard her moan his name.
"Harry. Oh Harry."
He began to blush, wondering what on earth she could be dreaming about him.
"Mione!" he called to her.
"Huh?" Hermione sat up so rapidly and suddenly that her forehead clunked against Harry's.
"Ouch!" they exclaimed simultaneously.
Harry began to laugh and slowly Hermione joined in.
"Well you must have been having an interesting dream Mione, you were calling out my name when I tried to wake you up," Harry said, his curiosity staring down at her through his emerald eyes.
"Oh," Hermione stuttered and blushed crimson. She looked away. "I, I must have heard you coming," she lied.
Harry dismissed the topic because she was clearly embarrassed.
"Well, are you ready to go tell Dumbledore about your nightmare?" he asked.
"Oh, sure, thanks Harry," Hermione reached for the brush on her night stand and began to pull it through her hair. Her locks were so thick, and the brush got tangled in them. "Urgh, I hate my hair," Hermione complained.
Harry reached over and began to untangle the brush. "Don't say that Mione, your hair is very nice, it is soft and it frames your face perfectly." Then he blushed, what if she thought that he spent a lot of time staring at her, analyzing her figure?
"Oh, thanks Harry. I guess you're right," she mumbled, not noticing the peculiarity of his remark.
"Well lets go," Harry said rather nervously.
"Are you all right Harry?" Hermione asked him. His eyes looked down into hers and he could tell that she was indirectly teasing him about his comments about her hair.
"I'm fine Mione," he sounded rather upset with her, and Hermione wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Hey I was just asking a question, don't get mad at me."
"I am not mad," Harry said defensively.
"Yeah, sure," Hermione replied. Then she squeezed his shoulder. "Come on Harry, let's go."
Then they walked together to Dumbledore's office. When they entered Hermione was fascinated by the mysterious magical items that it concealed from student intruders. She saw Fawkes the phoenix being reborn, although she was horrified at first when she saw him burn into a pile of ashes. Finally Dumbledore arrived and Harry and Hermione sat down in front of his desk. Harry held Hermione's hand for comfort as she began to tell the story.
"Well I have been having this recurring nightmare since August." Hermione began, her voice already starting to tremble.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, what happened in the nightmare did indeed happen to Hermione," Harry added.
"Continue dear," the aging wizard said encouragingly.
"Well I was dating Viktor Krum last year. This summer in early August I broke up with him, and he slapped me. I got scared and fled, but he found me and he hit me with the cruciatus curse," Hermione's face was becoming pale as a result of the fear resurrected by the memory of that horrible experience.
"What?!" Dumbledore looked enraged. "That boy shall be held captive in Azkaban, I never would have dreamed that such a talented young man would go to waste. I am terribly sorry Miss Granger. You shall be a witness at his trial."
"Yes," Hermione's voice faltered. She was afraid to be within a hundred yards of Krum, after how he had hurt her.
Harry helped her rise out of her chair, and murmured soothing words in order to calm her.
"Come on Mione, back to the common room," he half led, half carried her across the school.
The common room was full of people, everyone stared when Harry walked in with Hermione huddled in his arms, her face so pale that she resembled a ghost.
"Hermione, what's wrong!" Ron looked extremely concerned, and he helped her over to a nearby sofa.
"She had to tell Dumbledore something," Harry began, but Hermione cut him off.
"I can speak for myself please. Ron last summer I broke up with Krum."
"Well good riddance to him!" Ron shouted with relief.
"Well he wasn't too happy about it. First he hit me, and then I ran away, when he found me I heard him shout "crucio!" and I knew he was evil."
"Did he attack you?!" Ron's face was distorted in his anger. Hermione nodded and his shaking hand reached for his wand. "I would like to kill that boy! I really would!"
"Ron don't get yourself in Azkaban over anyone like him, it's not worth it," Hermione stated.
Harry nodded his head toward Ron," You'll be there at the trial though, Hermione will want moral support from both of us."
"Of course. I am so sorry Hermione. I knew that Krum was not a very nice person, but I never dreamed that he would inflict such pain on you."
Ron was too angry to control himself, and he stormed up to his dormitory.
Hermione rose from the couch, uncomfortable under the gazes of everyone in the common room. Ron's outburst had attracted their attention.
"Harry, come with me, I want to go to my dorm," she mumbled, and taking his arm, she led him upstairs.
She fell onto her bed and Harry collapsed beside her. They lay in silence until Harry heard Hermione crying. He drew her close and soothingly caressed her hair. It was so incredibly soft! He felt like he was in heaven touching her curls. Eventually Hermione's weeping subsided, and she fell asleep in his arms. Harry turned to look at her face. She looked so incredibly beautiful, and she had a childish smile on her face as she slept. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips were beckoning to him. Harry felt a twinge of guilt for thinking of his friend in such a manner. But his body ignored the feeling, and he suddenly leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Hermione stirred but he was completely oblivious to her awakening. When he opened his eyes he was staring into Hermione's chocolate depths.
"Harry!" she mumbled against his lips. He sat up quickly and realization washed over him. He had just kissed Hermione, his best friend, someone he had promised himself he would never kiss.
"I'm sorry," he stood up, and Hermione joined him.
"Harry. What were you doing?" she refused to believe that she had woken up feeling Harry's mouth on hers.
Harry could not answer, he gulped and turned to leave. Hermione clutched his arm to stop him, and he sighed.
"You kissed me Harry. I don't understand."
"I, I know. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," Harry stammered.
"Harry. do you fancy me?"
"I don't know Hermione! I honestly don't know anymore!" he shouted.
Hermione released his arm. She could not think of anything to say to this. She was also secretly embarrassed because she had enjoyed Harry's kiss. She sat down on her bed deep in thought. Harry was her closest friend. They did everything together, and she realized that whenever she had a nightmare she woke up longing for no one but Harry. Did she reciprocate his feelings? She recalled what she had dreamed about that afternoon after classes ended for the day. Harry and she had been lying together in this bed, and in her dream she had woken up with Harry's mouth on hers. She had responded differently to his kiss however, by returning it, and moaning his name.
"Harry. I dreamed earlier today about exactly what just happened."
Harry looked at her, not believing. "What?!"
"Except. well in the dream, I kissed you back."
Harry sat down beside her and held her hands in hers. "Mione, why would you have dreamed that if you didn't want it?" Hermione gazed into his eyes, and she realized how dear Harry was to her. She wanted to feel his mouth on hers. She lay a finger on his lips. They were so smooth and warm. She felt his hand remove her finger and then his lips met hers. Hermione moaned as she felt Harry's tongue sliding along her lips. She opened her mouth and his tongue entered. The kiss increased in passion, finally Hermione pulled away for air.
"Harry.I'm scared."
"Me too Mione, I don't want to lose you ever."
Hermione looked up and the door was slightly ajar. Hadn't she closed it? Then she heard a gasp. Lavendar was standing at the foot of her bed. Clearly she had witnessed Hermione's and Harry's kiss.
The day was very long for Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years. Having double potions always soiled what could have been a decent day. Snape was horribly prejudiced towards his Slytherin students. When a Slytherin answered a question incorrectly he was awarded with several points, if a Gryffindor answered correctly, points were deducted for boasting. Hermione was the student whom Snape attacked most viciously for her intellectual skills. Harry and Ron knew how much it annoyed her when an exam was returned to her with some points deducted without a justifiable explanation. Hermione's grades in potions suffered because, according to Snape, she was an "incurable know it all". Hermione knew better then to complain about this because Snape was notorious for being extremely unfair in all circumstances, except to the Slytherins.
After the Gryffindors survived the everlasting time in the cold dungeons being criticized unjustly by the professor and tormented by his favored pupils, they returned to their dormitories and due to their frustration and exhaustion, collapsed onto their beds. After a quick nap Harry went to the girls' dormitories to wake Hermione. He wanted to know if she was ready to speak to Dumbledore about her hideous secret.
Harry was afraid that he might find his friend having that recurring nightmare about her breakup with Krum, but he was shocked to find something else. Hermione was tossing and turning in her bed, and as Harry reached down to shake her shoulder he heard her moan his name.
"Harry. Oh Harry."
He began to blush, wondering what on earth she could be dreaming about him.
"Mione!" he called to her.
"Huh?" Hermione sat up so rapidly and suddenly that her forehead clunked against Harry's.
"Ouch!" they exclaimed simultaneously.
Harry began to laugh and slowly Hermione joined in.
"Well you must have been having an interesting dream Mione, you were calling out my name when I tried to wake you up," Harry said, his curiosity staring down at her through his emerald eyes.
"Oh," Hermione stuttered and blushed crimson. She looked away. "I, I must have heard you coming," she lied.
Harry dismissed the topic because she was clearly embarrassed.
"Well, are you ready to go tell Dumbledore about your nightmare?" he asked.
"Oh, sure, thanks Harry," Hermione reached for the brush on her night stand and began to pull it through her hair. Her locks were so thick, and the brush got tangled in them. "Urgh, I hate my hair," Hermione complained.
Harry reached over and began to untangle the brush. "Don't say that Mione, your hair is very nice, it is soft and it frames your face perfectly." Then he blushed, what if she thought that he spent a lot of time staring at her, analyzing her figure?
"Oh, thanks Harry. I guess you're right," she mumbled, not noticing the peculiarity of his remark.
"Well lets go," Harry said rather nervously.
"Are you all right Harry?" Hermione asked him. His eyes looked down into hers and he could tell that she was indirectly teasing him about his comments about her hair.
"I'm fine Mione," he sounded rather upset with her, and Hermione wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Hey I was just asking a question, don't get mad at me."
"I am not mad," Harry said defensively.
"Yeah, sure," Hermione replied. Then she squeezed his shoulder. "Come on Harry, let's go."
Then they walked together to Dumbledore's office. When they entered Hermione was fascinated by the mysterious magical items that it concealed from student intruders. She saw Fawkes the phoenix being reborn, although she was horrified at first when she saw him burn into a pile of ashes. Finally Dumbledore arrived and Harry and Hermione sat down in front of his desk. Harry held Hermione's hand for comfort as she began to tell the story.
"Well I have been having this recurring nightmare since August." Hermione began, her voice already starting to tremble.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, what happened in the nightmare did indeed happen to Hermione," Harry added.
"Continue dear," the aging wizard said encouragingly.
"Well I was dating Viktor Krum last year. This summer in early August I broke up with him, and he slapped me. I got scared and fled, but he found me and he hit me with the cruciatus curse," Hermione's face was becoming pale as a result of the fear resurrected by the memory of that horrible experience.
"What?!" Dumbledore looked enraged. "That boy shall be held captive in Azkaban, I never would have dreamed that such a talented young man would go to waste. I am terribly sorry Miss Granger. You shall be a witness at his trial."
"Yes," Hermione's voice faltered. She was afraid to be within a hundred yards of Krum, after how he had hurt her.
Harry helped her rise out of her chair, and murmured soothing words in order to calm her.
"Come on Mione, back to the common room," he half led, half carried her across the school.
The common room was full of people, everyone stared when Harry walked in with Hermione huddled in his arms, her face so pale that she resembled a ghost.
"Hermione, what's wrong!" Ron looked extremely concerned, and he helped her over to a nearby sofa.
"She had to tell Dumbledore something," Harry began, but Hermione cut him off.
"I can speak for myself please. Ron last summer I broke up with Krum."
"Well good riddance to him!" Ron shouted with relief.
"Well he wasn't too happy about it. First he hit me, and then I ran away, when he found me I heard him shout "crucio!" and I knew he was evil."
"Did he attack you?!" Ron's face was distorted in his anger. Hermione nodded and his shaking hand reached for his wand. "I would like to kill that boy! I really would!"
"Ron don't get yourself in Azkaban over anyone like him, it's not worth it," Hermione stated.
Harry nodded his head toward Ron," You'll be there at the trial though, Hermione will want moral support from both of us."
"Of course. I am so sorry Hermione. I knew that Krum was not a very nice person, but I never dreamed that he would inflict such pain on you."
Ron was too angry to control himself, and he stormed up to his dormitory.
Hermione rose from the couch, uncomfortable under the gazes of everyone in the common room. Ron's outburst had attracted their attention.
"Harry, come with me, I want to go to my dorm," she mumbled, and taking his arm, she led him upstairs.
She fell onto her bed and Harry collapsed beside her. They lay in silence until Harry heard Hermione crying. He drew her close and soothingly caressed her hair. It was so incredibly soft! He felt like he was in heaven touching her curls. Eventually Hermione's weeping subsided, and she fell asleep in his arms. Harry turned to look at her face. She looked so incredibly beautiful, and she had a childish smile on her face as she slept. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips were beckoning to him. Harry felt a twinge of guilt for thinking of his friend in such a manner. But his body ignored the feeling, and he suddenly leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Hermione stirred but he was completely oblivious to her awakening. When he opened his eyes he was staring into Hermione's chocolate depths.
"Harry!" she mumbled against his lips. He sat up quickly and realization washed over him. He had just kissed Hermione, his best friend, someone he had promised himself he would never kiss.
"I'm sorry," he stood up, and Hermione joined him.
"Harry. What were you doing?" she refused to believe that she had woken up feeling Harry's mouth on hers.
Harry could not answer, he gulped and turned to leave. Hermione clutched his arm to stop him, and he sighed.
"You kissed me Harry. I don't understand."
"I, I know. I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," Harry stammered.
"Harry. do you fancy me?"
"I don't know Hermione! I honestly don't know anymore!" he shouted.
Hermione released his arm. She could not think of anything to say to this. She was also secretly embarrassed because she had enjoyed Harry's kiss. She sat down on her bed deep in thought. Harry was her closest friend. They did everything together, and she realized that whenever she had a nightmare she woke up longing for no one but Harry. Did she reciprocate his feelings? She recalled what she had dreamed about that afternoon after classes ended for the day. Harry and she had been lying together in this bed, and in her dream she had woken up with Harry's mouth on hers. She had responded differently to his kiss however, by returning it, and moaning his name.
"Harry. I dreamed earlier today about exactly what just happened."
Harry looked at her, not believing. "What?!"
"Except. well in the dream, I kissed you back."
Harry sat down beside her and held her hands in hers. "Mione, why would you have dreamed that if you didn't want it?" Hermione gazed into his eyes, and she realized how dear Harry was to her. She wanted to feel his mouth on hers. She lay a finger on his lips. They were so smooth and warm. She felt his hand remove her finger and then his lips met hers. Hermione moaned as she felt Harry's tongue sliding along her lips. She opened her mouth and his tongue entered. The kiss increased in passion, finally Hermione pulled away for air.
"Harry.I'm scared."
"Me too Mione, I don't want to lose you ever."
Hermione looked up and the door was slightly ajar. Hadn't she closed it? Then she heard a gasp. Lavendar was standing at the foot of her bed. Clearly she had witnessed Hermione's and Harry's kiss.