Chapter 7
Harry sat on the stairs looking out over the lawns. He looked up at the movement beside him, Hermione sat down, staring out at the sunset.
"No offence Hermione, but you aren't the person I was hoping for." He looked at her sidewise.
She smiled. "No, I'm sure I'm not. Need to talk?"
She hadn't stopped looking at the sunset. Harry looked out and for the first time since he and Ginny had separated, he placed his chin in his hands and began to speak softly. "You know, it wasn't the same between Ginny and me as it was between you and Ron. With you two it was obvious, everyone knew. But with us…" He went silent for a few minutes. "I liked her well enough, but date Ginny? Naw, we were at loggerheads far too often. She could be so damned irritating, but yet that night at the party."
Hermione smiled again and looked at Harry. "I always wondered what happened."
"We were playing a prank, and got stuck in a closet. We were grousing at one another about something trivial, and all of a sudden it was like a match was struck, you know? One moment we were arguing and then the next I couldn't get close enough to her. Once it was struck it burned so strong and deep I was afraid we'd have nothing left of us in the morning." His eyes were glazed over and he wasn't seeing anything in the here an now.
"That's what it's like under the charm?" she asked.
His answer took her breath away. "No, Dumbledore suggested the charm a few months later."
They sat in silence until the sun set. Finally Hermione stood and brushed off her jeans. "Well, I've a library to attend to." She left abruptly.
------------ Later in the Library -----------------
Ginny walked to in find Hermione sitting behind the desk, her hair placed in a loose bun. She was bent over a book and was writing in it, the quill drifting in an almost lazy pattern. Ginny watched her friend until Hermione put down the quill.
"You wanted to see me?" Ginny asked coolly.
"Yes, please sit." Hermione gestured to the chair. "I actually want you to see something." Hermione pulled out a stone bowl.
"A Pensive?" Ginny asked.
"Yes." Hermione placed her wand at her temple and drew out a silvery thread of memory. "Now sit and watch."
She placed the memory and Ginny saw Harry sitting on the steps of Hogwarts. She watched Hermione approach him from behind and sit.
Without much more than a glance his image said. "No offence Hermione, but you aren't the person I was hoping for." The image looked at her sidelong.
Ginny watched the conversation. She gasped when she heard him admit his feelings had been ignited before the charm.
The image faded with Hermione entering Hogwarts. Ginny stood and wordlessly left the library. She reached the Astronomy tower and placed a cushioning charm on the floor and laid back watching the stars in their slow dance. Her mind reeled with the information she had been given by Hermione.
She heard the door open, and sighed. "Dean, I told you it's done, over. Now go away, I have bee a complete git, and now I have to figure out how to make this all right."
The intruder stopped when she spoke, but didn't leave. Ginny frowned deeply. "Damnit Dean you world class prat. Just go away."
The other person shuffled their feet, and Ginny sighed sitting up so that her back was clearly to the other person. "Look, how many times do I have to tell you no. We made a huge mistake four years ago, and I plan to correct that mistake somehow."
The voice sounded odd. "How?"
"I don't know. I really don't. I doubt Harry would believe that I was only unfaithful to him once. I mean I am sure in the past four years he has been with other women."
"I wouldn't say that."
"What are you talking about? You are the one who kept telling me that you were sure Harry was sleeping with other women."
"Oh."
"Or was that just a ploy to get me to sleep with you again?" She was becoming truly upset now, and spun to face him. Rather than Dean, it was Harry standing at the door.
He smiled. "Hermione said you would be here." He shrugged. "I – I should go, I don't think I'm ready for this."
She closed the distance between them, and grabbed his hands. "Please, don't go."
He looked into her eyes and felt the resolve begin to melt. "I have to think about this. I – I'm not sure that I can do that with you here."
She felt her eyes fill. "No, I suppose not." Her hands left his.
He looked at her and traced his fingertips along her jaw line. "I need to go now. We'll talk soon."
He left the room, and ran into Dean halfway down the corridor. "Dean, I wanted to talk to you."
"I'm looking for Ginny." He said glaring at Harry.
"I can guarantee she isn't looking for you." Harry said sharply. "Now, let's talk man to man."
"Alright." Dean said settling himself in for whatever Harry had to say.
"I can't let her go. I fully intend on remaining her husband, and resuming our relationship. I'd like you to be a man about this and step back."
"Or what, you'll throw me out?"
"No Dean. I'd never force you to leave." He looked at Dean sadly. "How could I punish you for the same thing I am guilty of, loving her."
He started to walk away. Dean placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I never expected any of this to happen."