10/31/03: Beware of those sickos who put nasty things in Halloween treats! If you're not sure, feel free to mail me all your candy, and I'll make sure they're properly disposed of.
This is the last installment of H/Hr fluff. We get back to the plot in a rather dramatic way at the end, and it's all out action from here on out! Beware, cliffies abound, though not on purpose, I swear! Thanks to everyone for the reviews!
13. Realized Feelings
The rest of the month went swiftly for Harry. Somehow, despite the sniggers of the boys and the dreamy sighs of the girls, Harry found ways to spend more time with Hermione. They talked before Potions and in the hallways between classes. Even though Harry loathed studying ahead, much less studying at all, he took every opportunity to sit with her in the library. Harry once again found a reason to be grateful for his Slytherin reputation, as people tended to shy away from their table in the library, allowing them their space. This was good for two reasons: Harry got some private time with Hermione, and they had the privacy necessary to research possible causes of Harry's switch. They spent many weekends together enjoying the day outside and walking around the lake, ostensibly to talk about their latest findings on Harry's situation, but they usually ended up talking about this or that. Harry also found ways to touch Hermione; a hand on her back to guide her gently through a crowded hall; a brushing of the shoulders whenever they sat together; gently touching her arm whenever they laughed.
Harry had no idea how Hermione felt about him, whether she considered him as something more than just a friend or just an interesting research project. He supposed he could try and find the answer in her mind using his legilimency skills (another skill that the Slytherin Harry seemed to have picked up somewhere), but it would require more than just a simple locking of eyes, as he had unwittingly used several times before. To find out the answer to his burning question (that answer had somehow become much more important than finding out how he got into Slytherin), Harry would have to actively cast the legilimens spell on her, and he knew it would be the worst possible invasion of privacy to do so. But still, Harry was encouraged. He knew Hermione well enough to know when she did not like something, and she gave no indication at being displeased by his constant attentions or his "accidental" physical contact.
As October rolled around, Harry found that he had never been happier. Quidditch practice was in full swing, the first match against Gryffindor in October. Harry was a little conflicted about playing against his old house, but the pure joy of zooming through the sky outweighed all considerations. He hadn't had a Voldemort-inspired dream since the year began, and he wasn't worried that his life was in danger. His guilt over Sirius' death seemed distant, and he felt no urgency over his destiny to defeat Voldemort. Although he felt guilty at forgetting about Sirius, still locked up in Azkaban, he felt like he had a reprieve from all responsibility until his current situation was resolved. After all, why bother to work to free Sirius if Harry will just go back to his own world? Harry found acceptance in Slytherin, friends he never dreamed he would have, and he eventually grew used to the constant looks of fear and anxiety he got from other students.
Harry's relationship with Hermione was growing stronger each passing day. As expected, whispers and rumors floating throughout the castle. Any potential romance between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor would ignite talk, and being that the Slytherin in question was the famous Boy-Who-Lived, and that the Gryffindor was the bookish Hermione Granger, the rumor mill churned faster than normal. Fortunately, being the Boy-Who-Lived had it's advantages as well; though people were dying of curiosity, most except the bravest of the lot were too afraid of Harry to say anything within hearing distance of the two. Harry was afraid that Hermione would be irritated with the attention, remembering how she reacted to Rita Skeeter's articles in the Daily Prophet, but she seemed mostly amused by the entire situation. Hermione was even finding slow acceptance with the other Slytherin girls: Daphne, in particular, had taken Hermione's acceptance as her own personal responsibility. Harry, for Hermione's sake, tried only superficially to become friendly with the Gryffindors; but from the looks of fear and anxiety that he got every time Harry appeared, he knew it was a lost cause. Hermione understood, and Harry was grateful that she didn't insist.
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Harry and Hermione sat quietly in the library, looking over stacks of books. Although the subject of Harry's mysterious displacement rarely came up anymore, that night, Hermione and Harry were researching for a possible cause and cure. Hermione slammed her fist on the book she was reading in frustration, startling Harry.
"I give up!" she cried. "This is hopeless. We've spent an entire month looking through these dusty books and I'm tired of it!"
"Do my ears deceive me? Hermione Granger tired of looking through books?"
"Don't tease me Harry Potter, I'm not in the mood," Hermione said, though her half-smile belied her words. Harry reached over and took her hand, intertwining their fingers.
"It'll be okay Hermione. We'll find the answer, it'll just take some time."
Hermione looked at Harry and nodded. "Time," she repeated softly and smiled, and then turned her attention to her book. Harry also turned his attention back to the book he was reading. Harry's heart started to race as he realized that he still held Hermione's delicate fingers within his own, and he was suddenly paralyzed with the fear that she would be upset that he hadn't let go, or that she would simply take her hand back. But Hermione did not pull her hand back, and he started smiling like an idiot. The rest of the night they sat quietly side-by-side, acutely aware of their joined hands, but outwardly ignoring it just the same.
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Hermione giggled. "Where are we going, Harry?"
Harry shushed her. "Quiet Hermione. You'll get us caught!" The two were presently huddled together underneath Harry's invisibility cloak, trying their best to walk down the deserted hallways while still maintaining their balance. Harry was pleased to find his father's old cloak at the bottom of his trunk. He remembered that in this life, like in his own, Dumbledore had given it to him as a Christmas present; Dumbledore must not have cared that he was in Slytherin at the time. When he showed Hermione, she was suitably surprised and impressed. Although she had read about them (of course), she had never actually seen one, and Harry took pride in demonstrating the cloak, as well as telling her a few stories about the times they had used the cloak in the past.
Harry had surprised her in other ways - ways that cemented the idea that he was, in fact, a Gryffindor in a Slytherin's body, so to speak. Harry knew about the "thing" that Ginny used, and explained to Hermione who Mooney, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail really were. One night after patrolling, Hermione had mentioned she was a bit hungry, so Harry took her to the kitchens by tickling the pear. Hermione was impressed, not only by his knowledge, but more so by his treatment of the House Elves. The Slytherin Harry was as disdainful of House Elves as the next wizard, but this Harry showed an unexpected and welcome compassion and kindness.
"I guarantee you'll like it," Harry said to her. Harry led her to the area he was looking for and concentrated. Then, he carefully pushed open the door that appeared and guided her inside. Harry smiled broadly at what met them inside, and he was pleased to hear Hermione's gasp of surprise. The Room of Requirements looked nothing like Harry had ever seen before, which, to be honest, was only when he needed a place to train the DA.
"What is this place, Harry?" she asked, looking around in wonderment.
"It's called the Room of Requirements. We used it for the DA meetings," he said, allowing her to look around. The room had been transformed: the ceiling was enchanted to resemble the night sky, much like the Great Hall. A myriad of candles floated around the edges of the room, adding their light to the stars above, as fireplace roared in the corner, adding to the cozy feel. Hermione walked up to Harry, a smile dancing on her face.
"This place is beautiful!" she beamed.
Harry smiled, not trusting himself to speak just yet. He gestured towards the table that stood alone in the middle of the room. On it were two goblets, a carafe, and a plate covered by a silver lid. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him as she took a seat, Harry sitting opposite of her. He poured them both a goblet of pumpkin juice and, with a grand flourish, lifted the silver cover, revealing what lay underneath.
Hermione laughed delightedly. "Tiramisu!" she cried happily. Hermione had once told Harry, whether in this life or the other he wasn't sure, that her favorite dessert was tiramisu, which was unheard of in the wizarding world. Harry had been surprised to find out how hard it was to find the dessert, but a quick escape to Hogsmeade and an apparition (another skill Slytherin Harry had mastered), Harry had secured the tasty dessert. Harry smiled at her as he produced two forks. The two friends ate happily, chatting away. Finally, after Hermione had taken the last bite of the cake, Harry cleared his throat and took her hand.
"Hermione, there's something I want to say." Harry paused, willing his heart to slow as he collected his thoughts.
"What is it Harry? You can tell me anything."
"I know I can," Harry said with a smile. "The last couple of months have been very trying. Everything here is different, and I'm constantly finding things out about myself that, well, frankly scare me. The people I was the closest with, Ron, the Weasleys, Lupin…they're all foreign to me, afraid of me. The people I despised, the Slytherins, are now my closest friends. Even the world around me is different: You-Know-Who, the Ministry, everything."
Hermione reached over and patted Harry's hand. "I'll always be here for you Harry," she said softly.
Harry gathered his courage. "That's exactly it, Hermione. You've always been there for me. Even though to you, we just really met last month, to me, you've always been by my side, no matter what kind of trouble I've found myself. In both worlds, I've come to rely on you to center me, to anchor me. I know now that I've taken some of that for granted, but not now, not here." Harry took a deep breath. "I think that, in this world, not knowing each other has helped me to see certain things, realize certain truths. Even though you are, at the core, the same girl I've known since first year, you have a different past, a past I've taken a delight in getting to know. It's like knowing you, and not knowing you, at the same time, if that makes any sense." Hermione nodded, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. "What I'm trying to say is that, you are the single most important person in my life, and…and I think I'm falling in love with you."
Harry let out a deep breath. There, he had said it. His insides twisted almost painfully as he waited for a response.
Hermione sniffled and quickly wiped her eyes. "Oh Harry," she sighed. "I…even though I just got to know you this year, I do feel like I've known you forever. You're nothing like the Harry Potter I went to school with for the past five years, at least the Harry Potter I could see from across the Great Hall. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I would be sitting here, with you, I would have called you crazy. But I am here, and you're not crazy. I…I'm not sure what I feeling right now Harry. Is it love? You have the benefit of years of history with me; I only have the past two months. But they've been some of the best months of my life. I don't know if I'm falling in love with you, but I know I'd like to find out."
Harry felt something wet on his cheek and belatedly realized that a few tears had escaped his eyes. They stood and walked around the small table, meeting halfway. Harry reached for her waist as she put her arms around his shoulders. With his heart racing and a tingly feeling in his chest, Harry and Hermione leaned towards one another to share their first kiss together. And it was everything he thought it would be.
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Halloween night, the Great Hall was adorned with decorations. Live bats flew about the enchanted ceiling, highlighted against a clear, starry night. The feast, as usual, was fabulous, and Harry enjoyed himself immensely. Harry and Hermione had only sat at the same table for meals a handful of times, and they sat apart this night, not wishing to create any nervousness on such a festive event. They had, however, agreed to meet afterwards in the Room of Requirements to share dessert, a nice pumpkin pie that Harry had the House Elves prepare especially for them.
Near the end of dinner, a sudden flash startled Harry as he was deciding whether or not he could handle another slice of ham. The flash was neither bright enough nor large enough to garner the attention of anyone else, and Harry rubbed his eyes in the belief it was imagined. However, after replacing his glasses, Harry spotted a thick envelope now sitting before him, his name stenciled on the front. Harry looked around at the emptying Slytherin table and found no one had noticed the appearance of the envelope; the feast was over and most of the students had left, only Malfoy and Blaise sat nearby, finishing off a turkey. Harry eyed the letter with suspicion before gingerly picking it up. He regarded it a moment, before tearing the envelope open. Inside, he found a letter and a gem. The gem was about the size of his palm and thin. A mist seemed to swirl within, and Harry looked at it quizzically before turning his attention to the letter. He read quickly, his face revealing his mood as it changed from curiosity to shock. He looked up quickly and spotted Hermione making her way over to the Slytherin table.
"Ready?" she asked pleasantly. Then, noticing the look on his face, she sat next to him. "Harry? What's wrong?"
Harry stared at her a moment before finding his voice. "Hermione, I know what happened. I know why I'm in Slytherin, and I know how to change things back."
Hermione eyes widened in surprise. "But…how?"
Harry held up the letter he was holding. "Dumbledore."
A/N: Toldja, a cliffie! Ok, who guessed it? Let's see...rodrigo suspected it way back in Chapter 3. Anyways, hopefully you won't think that the cliffhanger's too bad, since they definitely get worse from here on out. Dumbledore's still dead, but don't worry, all will be revealed next chapter, and then Harry can get things back to normal, right? Ha! Not so fast, true-believers!
Oh, and Harry did tell Hermione about the DA during one of their many talks; it was, after all, something they shared and one of the few things that got him through fifth year. I just never wrote the conversation.
And why didn't I write more about their first kiss? I think I used up all my kiss descriptions in my other story.
Go over to portkey.org and check it out. It's the place for H/Hr, D/G, L/J, and R/L. The forums and fanfics are awesome; totally inspired me to have the courage to write.
Everyone have a safe and happy weekend. See you Monday!
Apeman: Thanks for the compliment. As I told Narcissa, I have way too much free time at work. I've already started on the next fic. Oh, and a huge thanks for the recommendation over at portkey; my heart leapt when I saw it!
keebler-elmo and Maxx77: hopefully five hours is quick enough ;) I don't update on weekends, so next chappie on Monday. Story should be completely posted by the end of next week.
ChickFlick004: Thanks for the compliments! To your question, same thing happened in this story in that Harry blew off the Slytherins at first. The big difference is that when the Sorting Hat started talking to him about all the things Slytherin could help him with, Harry remembered how much he hated the Dursleys and, at that moment, he gave into desire for revenge and agreed to be placed in Slytherin. I think the Slytherin girls wouldn't mind giving Hermione a Slytherin-style make-over, but alas certain events are about to occur that will make them busy with other things suspense builds!
Carrie (fire_splash@hotmail.com): Thanks for checking out my other fic. It's pretty different, pacing-wise. I think the beginning (sixth year) shows that I hurried through it; you have to power through the middle (end of sixth and the summer), but I like how the end part came out (seventh year). Sure I'll help you. I'll shoot you an email sometime this weekend or Monday.
ears91: of course Hermione loves Harry, it was never in any doubt! Those two are made for each other!