Kiss From a Rose
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that contains any of J.K. Rowling's work, she by far is much more experienced in writing then I am at the current moment. This is her universe that I am using to produce works like Kiss from a Rose. It seems that my Beta-Reader has left me for a week (found out that she's in London vacationing), so this is an edited chapter by me and it isn't going to be good. I am sorry for being a day late in getting this chapter out, but without that beta reader I'm doing double work and it's taking double the time. Anyways it's out, I'm happy your Happy continue to read please remember to read and review at the end.
Chapter 8 – Quidditch
Hermione was just finishing her homework just as the clock chimed 4:00 in the morning; the sun was now rising releasing the pods of dew to drop onto the ground. She stretched and yawned before putting her away her books and looked around the commons. Empty and quiet, well all quiet except a rasping through the walls. At first she dismissed the noise but found it to be extremely irritating after sometime of it constantly getting louder. Even though she was half asleep her curiosity got the better of her as she started to search for the sound. The sound itself seemed to emanate from no where and yet everywhere, of course with her brain on lay away she couldn't think of why she was going after this sound. Quite suddenly she located the source of the rasping, it was coming from outside of the commons, slowly she opened the door and looked out finding nothing she stepped out into the chilly corridor and looked around and nothing still. Just as she turned back around to head back inside, she saw what in some way not an everyday sight was. The fat lady who dressed in a pink suit was dying right before her eyes. Hermione at first didn't think that was possible, but it was happing right before her very eyes. The picture started to rot, the canvas was falling little by little, the Fat Lady started to grow older with each passing second. From what Hermione could she the lady was crying with yellow tears, though it seemed that she had not noticed Hermione standing there.
"Who did this?" Hermione asked furiously, trying not to wake the other pictures who were sleeping silently in their frames.
"Harry—Potter—" was all the fat lady manage to say as her picture slowly rotted into ashes and slipped from the frame to lay on the ground before Hermione's feet. Hermione looked to the ground confused, completely and utterly confused, how could Harry do it if he was in the dorm. She didn't take time in deciding the thought as then she quietly wandered to Dumbledore's office hoping that he be awake. Her footsteps echoed through the hall attaching someone she didn't want to see at that moment, Filch and his cat Mrs. Norris.
"What are you doing up so early." Filch asked as he held his cat in his arms.
"The fat lady, she died… the painting isn't anything any more…" Hermione said raspy from walking to fast and in shock from seeing the painting die. Fitch looked at Hermione in disbelief, more student tricks had been the first thing on his mind, but as he saw that Hermione wasn't kidding. Putting no more thought he quickly jetted off towards the Gryffindor's commons. Hermione was just about to say something again but decided to hold it and continue her way to Dumbledore's office. She arrived and murmured the password and followed the steps up to the door then knocked violently. She could hear a grumble and some shuffling then the door opened revealing Dumbledore who looked quiet tired.
"Most people like to get some sleep during this time of day Miss Granger" Dumbledore said, dressed in his blue sparking robes, while letting her in and closing the door behind her.
"Professor something's happened, --" Hermione was about to say about being interrupted by Sir Cadogan charging in through the other headmaster frames and who were quite unhappy to be woken up at that time.
"ALBUS! THE FAT LADY IS DEAD" Sir Cagogan stopped in the nearest frame to Dumbledore and Hermione.
Dumbledore's eyes quickly turned to great sadness for some reason Hermione could not understand. He nodded and then opened the door before walking out of the room and over to the Gryffindor commons, Hermione quickly followed looking around and seeing that most of the staff was awake and had just arrived in front of the Gryffindor commons.
"Professor, the Fat Lady just before she died… she said that Harry did it… I know this can't be true because I watch Harry drink something and then walk up to his dorm." Hermione said just before stopping in front of the ashes of the fat lady. Dumbledore reached down and grated the dust through his fingers delicately and looked up at Filch. "We will have to replace her with a new portrait… (then Dumbledore then turned to look at the other teachers), this will being in the ministry, two attacks in one week and now this. (He shook in head in doubt) We will put the students and the rest of the staff on alert." Dumbledore looked around the staff as they nodded in return and possibly were trying to figure out how a painting could die. "It from what I hear from the only witness to this event it was Mr. Potter who attacked the painting." Most of the teachers were shocked, McGonagall seemed far more shocked then the rest.
"That isn't possible professor; it takes a great deal of magic to destroy the entire painting like that, I don't think Mr. Potter's mind is capable for an act like this, maybe it was some one else in disguise as Mr. Potter." Snape said as he walked over to examine the ashes.
"I know Severus, it doesn't make any sense why Harry would do something like this. When he wakes up I will talk to him. (The teachers nodded in agreement). Now you all may go back to your chambers and get some rest, the Ministry will probably be coming here first thing in the morning and we will need all eyes active for the search." Dumbledore said with the greatest of grievance in his voice. The staff rapidly departed the hallway leaving just Hermione and Dumbledore there alone looking at the unfilled frame where the fat lady use to be. Sir Cadogan came back into the nearest frame to Dumbledore and Hermione, "I AM READY FOR DUTY SIR!" he shouted waking all the rest of the painting. Most like the ones in the headmaster's office were extremely unhappy. Filch came right after grumbling to himself and looking at Sir Cagogan, "You are not in your frame"
"It is all right Filch, he has come for active duty." Dumbledore said while smiling to Sir Cadogan, he was extremely happy to hear the news as his horse romped around in a house with a bowl of fruit on a table.
"Yes sir, I will go get his frame and set it on the door." Filch said before taking off again. It was just then the portrait opened and Harry walked out yawning and stretching and fully dressed ready to go for school.
"Morning, 'Mione, Professor." Harry nodded and smiled at them both.
"Harry what were you doing last night?" Hermione questioned.
"Sleeping, like most people do during the night." Harry chuckled and looked at Dumbledore who gave him a grave face.
"Harry, it might be best if you came up to my office so we can talk once more." Dumbledore stated and walked back to his office followed closely by Hermione and Harry. Dumbledore like normal told them to sit down as he took his seat on his side. This had to be the worst week of Harry's life; twice he had been in Dumbledore's office and now a third time. Harry wiped his forehead and looked at Dumbledore again and sitting back in his chair waiting for someone to say something.
"Miss Granger, before I say anything, do you have something you want to say." Dumbledore asked Hermione who nodded and turned to Harry who looked straight back at her.
"Harry, for the past two days now, no, for a week now I've been observing you." Hermione said and Harry could only look into her eyes. It was at that moment he knew what was coming, she knew, he didn't know how she found out, but she knew. "I've noticed that you've quit eating yet you haven't become skinny and at first I thought it might be depression or something like that because Sirius had died –"
"DON'T YOU SAY THAT NAME, I KNOW HE DIED I DON'T NEED TO BE REMINDED OF IT" Harry shouted which shocked Hermione and scared her at the same time.
"Please, Harry let her speak what she needs to say." Dumbledore did his best to make sure Harry didn't get out of hand. He knew how Harry could get and being a vampire wasn't helping.
"Also, while at Diagon alley I noticed that you did not come back during the nights there and like I usually do I'd wonder where you had gone. When you spoke of a café at night I had to look it up. It isn't on the map of Diagon alley. At first I shook it off thinking that you were really just going insane because you couldn't handle it." Hermione choose her words carefully making sure not to anger Harry.
"So I looked it up in the books at the store there and read that there is a café, which only appears at night. It's a vampire café, named Lestat's. Of course now I thought I was going insane, why would Harry go to a vampire café unless he was a vampire. Well naturally of course I assumed that you couldn't be because you were walking out in the day time and seemed just as normal as you had been before." Hermione watched the change in Harry's face, worried, that confirmed her greatest fears.
"I had to ask myself now why wouldn't Harry tell me if he was or not, so I decided that if he was he would tell me, but that wasn't so. After a while I continued to observe your patterns, your movements, everything about you had changed. You weren't Harry no, you where something else, I couldn't quite put my finger on it because I didn't want to believe it. Then last night I was in the corner working on my homework and you walked in with Lily, you and her were talking about you coming to terms with your other side. I didn't understand at first, but then I watched you and her walk together, it seemed magical in a way. That's how I knew that you and Lily are vampires." Hermione reached her conclusion; Harry couldn't say anything or move anything as he sat there in his chair. Dumbledore seemed happy for some reason, probably because he knew that now Hermione knew and it was better for Harry because it allowed him to opened himself up to his friend. Harry was still speechless as then Hermione continued to talk, "Harry, I'm not afraid of what you had become, I'm a bit hurt that you could not tell me or Ron, but that will pass I just want to know truly from your own mouth if you are or not or I've just been bull shitting myself all this time." Hermione's words shocked Harry and yet made him laugh a bit, 'bullshitting myself' he might have to savor that memory for it was the very first time he's ever heard her cuss.
"I…(Harry's eyes shifted a bit before he could produce another word.) I am what I am" was all Harry could say as he grew his fangs to there normal length making Hermione back away a bit. But at the same time she looked relieved, in fact a smile came to her face, yet she felt like there were so many questions to ask.
"Then how are you walking during the day," Hermione said.
"It's in the blood that was transferred to me; I can't explain it all because there's just too much to tell." Harry acknowledged. Hermione nodded before speaking again, "Is it really you who killed the Fat Lady?" Harry quickly shook his head no.
"Then who could have it been?" Dumbledore said.
"I don't know, I wouldn't even know how to kill a painting." Harry said.
"What about Lily, she's a vampire to maybe she knows something that we don't." Hermione said.
"I doubt it, you saw as I saw that she went upstairs to go to sleep." Harry said.
"This seems to be even more of a mystery indeed." Dumbledore said curiously as he looked at them both, "well then you two may be off." Dumbledore sat back in his chair and then just remembered something, "Harry you might need to speak to the Ministry soon because I will have to tell what Hermione had see, so if you don't mind I think you should pay Professor McGonagall a visit to see what we can do with those eyes. Both Hermione and Harry agreed and left Dumbledore there thinking to himself. They walked alone in silence, Harry looked down at his watch, it was only 6:45 in the morning, and they had at least fifteen minutes before everyone was going to wake up. They both decided to go out onto the grass field so that they could talk and no one would hear them.
"Hermione I'm sorry that I didn't tell you early, but I though it might be necessary to keep this a secret. You know how Ron is with this kind of stuff and for you, well I don't like to place burdens on anyone else but myself. If I had to I would take it all and put it to me just to see you happy." Harry looked to the horizon as dawn floated just above the fog while acted like a pink blanket over the ground.
"No, it's alright Harry I see why you want to keep this a secret, Ron isn't the greatest person to be telling your secrets to. I should know, I date the guy, he told my parents about Krum and all that stuff that happened our 4th year, you know. Of course I was extremely pissed for a while but you know me I don't remain angry for a long time." Hermione moved herself closer to Harry unknowingly.
"He really did that,"
"Yes he really did that, can you image my parent's faces, first they didn't want there daughter dating at such a young age, and two being stuck underwater for so long. They weren't going to let me back here after hearing that. It took a whole summer to tell them that it was perfectly safe, to us magical sort of course but to a muggle it would seem insane." Hermione smiled as cinnamon eyes turned to the ground as they walked towards the lake.
"Then why did you stay with Ron?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, he's not that charming, nor that good looking, maybe it was because I just felt lonely and felt like something was missing in my life."
"I feel lonely all the time Hermione I don't go running to someone." Harry was quite mad in his voice.
"Your are different Harry, even if you weren't a vampire your still different. I don't know what it is about you, but something tells me that you'll be as great as Dumbledore one day. Your strong, brave, qualities some could only wish to have." Hermione said and if Harry could blush he would have done so, but he just smiled moving himself closer to Hermione so they nearly touched. They didn't notice at that time how close they were or the fact they had been holding hands the entire way.
"Your not jealous of Ron and I are you Harry?" Hermione said and that's when Harry turned to look at Hermione.
"I'm not going to lie to you Hermione, remember when I was lying in bed just after being bit by the vampire, by the way his name is Romulus, and you two came in looking at me hand in hand. I wanted to jump up and kill Ron, it was an emotion I never want again and it hurt too much to even think about it. Of course I couldn't move to well at that time." Hermione giggled and Harry smiled as he continued to look at her. It pained him to see her with Ron but he knew it wasn't his place he had to put emotions aside and remind himself that there was something bigger out there he needed to do. That was stop Voldemort, though he couldn't help himself for disliking Ron for taking away Hermione, which he wanted to call her, his.
Hermione looked at Harry and didn't see the vampire eyes but instead saw the vibrant green they use to be, she didn't see the vampire a matter of fact she saw the human in him. For all her life she thought a vampire was pure evil, a never ending darkness that devoured their souls, but as she stared into Harry's silver eyes it wasn't a vampire at all. Both of them did not notice how close they were to each other, they did not notice that there lips moved closer to touching, time seemed irrelevant to them as they came closer together. But it was not to last as there was a roaring noise coming from Hagrid's hut not to far away from where they stood. Both Harry and Hermione looked up at the hut and immediately ran over to see what's wrong. Hermione knocked on the door hoping and praying not to see Hagrid on the floor. They heard another door opened and then some grumbling and crashing and soon another door opening to reveal the gentle giant in his big furry overcoat.
"Hello Harry, Hermione." Hagrid gestured for them to come in and take a seat while he started the tea.
"We hear something from here Hagrid, what was that roar?" Harry asked.
"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all." Hagrid said but it was irony at its best as another roar came from behind Hagrid's hut. "Alright, so it might be something, but you two are not going to see it until you class later on today."
"Hagrid come on we know it's there, so why hide it." Hermione said.
"No, under strict orders by Dumbledore himself no student is going to see what I have behind my hut."
"Hagrid, when have you ever not kept a secret from us?" Harry laughed a bit speaking over the steaming tea pot. Hagrid quickly took the pot off the stove and turned back to Harry and Hermione.
"Well, I suppose it can't hurt, but promise you can't tell any student until they see it for themselves, come on" Hagrid said as he walked to the backdoor and opened it then walked out, followed by Harry and Hermione, towards the edge of the forbidden forest. From what Harry could define, it was something big locked up in an over size cage, roughly the size of a lion. Hermione suddenly moved closer to Harry who smiled and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as they walked closer and into view of the animal. It was then Harry knew what he had to be as an animagus, a griffin. The golden coat shined like a natural coat of gloss, its paws had to be at least as big as Harry's head. It eyes shimmied a vibrant yellow and its body looked as if it couldn't even been harmed.
Its raw power Harry could feel emanating from the hide, its eyes turned to Harry and stared into his soul, it was this that made Harry tremor a bit, but as soon as their thoughts connected all fear or harm coming from the griffin was lost. After that Harry did not move or budge from that spot, everything the griffin was feeling Harry was feeling, its torture being in the cage from how much it would like to eat Hagrid for supper. Harry then moved closer to the cage and that's when Hermione let go and kept her distance away from the griffin. As he approached Harry reached his hand inside waiting for the griffin to come over which it did and moved itself to Harry's hand. It was like touching soft golden feathers; it moved so purely through his fingers it was just as unimaginable as him killing the fat lady.
Hagrid like Hermione watched Harry and the Griffin bond, for Hagrid it was amazing, for he knew that a griffin didn't allow many to pet it or even get near it, in fact it was a hassle trying to get the griffin into the cage in the first place. Hermione didn't utter a sound as she watched though she felt a bit jealous because the griffin was closer to Harry then she was. That's what Harry did, for a minute or two Harry, feeling what the griffin was feeling, In some way he wanted to hurt Hagrid for putting this creature into a cage but that thought quickly died as it was broken by Hagrid's voice.
"Harry, it's time for breakfast. Harry will meet you back in the Great Hall because I need to talk to him." Hagrid turned to her as Harry smiled gently at the griffin and turned around looking at Hermione, "It's all right Hagrid she knows now, she found out by herself." This shocked Hagrid since he did not know Hermione found out about Harry.
"I'll wait outside for Harry I don't think I could see him drink… never the less kill." Hermione said.
Ω
News spreads quickly around Hogwarts by now most students had heard about Neville being attacked by an anonymous vampire (it so happened that after being bitten his memory had been erased from that moment in time), and also heard about the fat lady dying. To most that was impossible to conceive of that a painting could in fact die. Dumbledore thought it might be best to hold a school wide meeting in the morning to explain some of the events of yesterday. He sat in his chair looking towards the students that had just finished sitting down. Of course there were only two students missing, Harry and Hermione who were outside with Hagrid. Dumbledore's eyes gazed cautiously around, looking at a few students who were bouncing there legs up and down impatiently. Some where just on the verge of sleeping again which made Dumbledore smile and stand up to announce the events.
"As most of you heard by now, Neville Longbottom had been attacked by a vampire yesterday. The vampire is still at large (most of the students gasped in horror), but we are doing our best to track down this vampire and stop him or her" Dumbledore said as he looked into the students eyes, all which had fear in there eyes, it was as plain as day to see. "Also, it seems that the vampire has killed the Fat lady, yes the painting that sits outside of the Gryffindor commons that is going to be replaced by Sir Cadogan who has been a advocate to capturing the vampire and guarding our Gryffindor's. And on a final note, I have news that the ministry will be sending us two Aurors starting in the beginning of November to help guard the school from internal and external threats. Of course they will be under watch by me and the other staff at Hogwarts. Enough said it's time to eat." Dumbledore smiled and clapped his hands as the food appeared. It was just then everyone started eating when Harry, Hermione, and Lily walked into the room unnoticeably by everyone except the teachers and the Gryffindor's.
"Hey guys, where you been?" Ron choked out as he swallowed his food.
"We've with Hagrid, getting ready for the magical creatures class today." Hermione said as she lung her bag over her back and looked at the time. "Well there's more studying for me to do, by Ron." She kissed him on the cheek before leaving Harry, Lily, and Ron there all looking at each other.
Care for magical creatures didn't come till later in the day for the trio, Harry up until then got through some of his homework, herbology, and charms which was some what exciting hearing that the dueling club was going to start up once again. Most of the students wanted to have Harry teach it and he would have but Flitwick told him that it was the teacher's job to do the teaching. Most of the students were a bit disappointed but in a way were happy to finally get to test there skills against each other in a tournament fashion after practicing all last year. Most of them were aiming to beat Harry which had been delighted to hear that he would be number one in the bets, if they betted. That classed ended just before lunch and right after lunch was the Care for magical creatures which Harry couldn't wait for, he wanted to be near that griffin again it brought peace to his inner soul. He didn't bother to each lunch (well not with the other students) and just skipped himself straight to Hagrid's hut and from what he could hear he was struggling with the griffin again. This made Harry chuckled as he moved around back to see Hagrid with Grawp's help move the cage to a better position in the shade. Hagrid noticed that Harry had been standing there watching them, and called him over to help, Harry didn't protest and walked towards the cage his eyes transfixed upon the griffin who look straight back at Harry.
"Hi 'Arry" Grawp said, unfortunately he didn't look as bright or as well as his brother, having arrows stuck into you head do tend to leave marks and scars. Harry moved on the side where Grawp had been pushing. At first it seemed impossible to push, the weight was just immense. That was soon to change as he felt the cage move with each push he put into it. It didn't take it long to become easier and easier, soon he stopped and looked how far he had moved the cage with the two giant's help. It was at least a good fifty yards from the back of the house.
"The students are coming, Grawp, I think you better get back into the forest." Hagrid said as Grawp hugged his brother and walked full stride back into the forest. Hermione and Ron were the first to arrive at Hagrid's hut; Hagrid quickly walked to the front and told all of the arriving students to go behind the hut and wait and to not touch anything.
It didn't take long for the class to start, the griffin's cage had been in the shadow's and hard to see since it was dark. From what Harry could tell the students could only see an outline of a lion pacing back and forth growling low making some of the girls and even the guys shiver. Hagrid smiled at the class as he bumbled through some papers before looking up at the class and speaking, "Today we have a very special gift, a griffin." Some yelped, some looked dumbfounded, some didn't say anything at all. But all (except for Harry) had a cold chill run down there back as they heard the griffin roar. Draco seemed less then happy as he heard the giant, "A griffin, your going to get fired you oaf." He sneered while his comrades chuckled and grunted. Hagrid just looked over but didn't say anything; Harry fortunately just smirked as he waited for Hagrid.
"Well then, if there is not more comments –"
"Is it safe to touch?" Lavender asked.
"Oh, very safe, just like the hippogriff you have to respect the creature's nature. That means asking to touch it. Now, I will ask for one student to come up and demonstrate." Hagrid said, no hands came up which wasn't surprising at the least. Harry waited and looked, waited some more and still no hands went up. Then Harry just put up his hand which Hagrid smiled and called upon Harry. All eyes were on Harry once more as he walked up to the cage where Hagrid had been standing. He knew that he need not to ask the permission of the griffin since it already seemed to take a liking to him. But to show other students he asked the griffin if he could pet him, whom it growled in return and nodded before walking close to the cage and letting Harry pet it. After that Hermione raised her hand and Hagrid called her to pet the griffin.
It wasn't to long before the class finished petting the griffin and they started getting into the nature of the creature, it's habitat, food, behavioral patterns.
"Now, to start the lecturing process (Hagrid smiled) I'm going to start off with a story." Hagrid said.
"Great... the oaf is going to tell us a story." Harry could hear Draco murmur under his breath to Crabbe and Goyle.
"Once upon an ancient time, three mythical creatures engaged in mortal combat in the skies above the world: the dragon, the chimera and the gryphon. The dragon used fire and his ability to fly to crushing effect, while the chimera looked in all directions at once with his many heads, appearing an invincible enemy. The gryphon watched his two foe for a long time, seeking out their strengths and weaknesses. At last he engaged in conflict. Using his wit and intelligence he lured the dragon into the depths of the ocean where his fire was extinguished forever. Burrowing through the earth beneath the chimera, the gryphon attacked from the one direction the chimera had not expected. The chimera never recovered from the surprise and was easily vanquished. In this way a creature thought much smaller and weaker than its adversaries won a great victory!" Hagrid spoke in a clear well define voice very proud of the story, Harry looked upon Hagrid and then to the griffin who seemed to recognize the story and sit tall and firm towards the students.
Ω
The weeks passed by fast and soon before anyone knew it Halloween had passed and it was almost time for Quidditch. After the last attack on the fat lady the attacks stopped which had helped Harry and Lily in the long run. Two Aurors came a bit earlier then expected by Dumbledore they were Tonks and Kingsley, who greeted Harry and Lily with full confidence that their secrets will be safe. Also during this time Harry and Hermione spent more time together studying and at first Ron didn't seem to mind because he had been practicing for Quidditch but that didn't last long and he soon started to become jealous from what Harry could sense. He took that as his cue to step back and let Hermione and Ron spent time together. Hermione though told Ron to stop acting like a baby and all they were doing is just studying while he played Quidditch Harry and her were just spending time studying. Of course this ended up in a fight after some time after they stopped talking (though not officially broken up) and decided to take a break for a while. This only lasted about a week before they were back together again, to Harry's dismay. All the time Harry had been studying with Hermione was helping him become what he wanted to do, become an Auror. It also helped with him not falling behind (unlike Ron) in his studies in fact he was on top and in some classes (like DADA and Charms) he was scoring higher then Hermione, which she tended to get a bit upset at him.
Quidditch was coming up fast for the school and everyday since tryouts were announced Ron (the new team captain) had asked Harry to come back and become the seeker once more. He wanted to, but then again he wanted just to watch Ron and his team. Harry was confused, though many times he just said he will think about it, he knew that it wasn't going to happen it was just a matter of time before he had to tell them.
Well the day came to choose if Harry was going to play, it was two days before the first game, Gryffindor's versus Hufflepuff. Ron was hyped up everyday of the week, he called practices each day of that week which pissed off the team but they knew if they were going to win they needed to practice hard. It was during the last class of the day which was DADA that Ron came to Harry and asked him while they watched Neville and Draco face off one on one in the center of the room.
"So, are you going to join again or is Quidditch no longer in your blood. I would be great to have you on the team, but it's your choice." Harry didn't answer as he looked at Neville noting that he had grown much over the time he had known him.
"Ron, I think that it might be it for me and Quidditch." It almost seemed to hurt Harry saying that, but it was out, Ron looked at Harry and wondered if he was joking. That was quickly put to rest as Harry didn't produce another sound or utter another word during that entire class. Hermione had over heard the conversation and looked at Harry, though she thought it might had been someway contributed to her and him getting closer, it was a choice that she liked. Not just for herself but because she knew that he would focus more on the future instead of the present.
Harry didn't talk to Ron much for the rest of Friday since he was always talking and going over Quidditch tactics. It was already late at night and most students were in there dorms relaxing after another week going by. Harry decided that he needed a walk and maybe an outing, he walked through the halls minding his own business and then someone had bumped into him. Harry took a look and noticed that it was Cho Chang, the girl he dated last year, well at least tried to date during last year but it turned out to be a miserable failure. She blushed as she gazed her eyes upon Harry who could see that they strafed up and down his body, he noted to himself to wear more clothes to hide the changes because at the moment he was only in jeans and a white tee.
"Hi." She quickly said breaking the silence between them. Harry still felt his heart, though cold and dead, flutter with the same beat he had when he looked at Hermione.
"Hi," Harry responded as best as he could.
"I, I wanted to know if you wanted to try again." Cho asked. Harry at first looked confused at Cho, then nodded and noticed that she smiled and quickly kissed Harry on the cheek before starting to leave but Harry interrupted, "Cho, I'm sorry for what I said last year in the café. I didn't mean to be so up front about meeting Hermione (He noticed that Cho's eyes thinned out), Hermione and I are just good friends that's all." It so happened at that moment he noticed how much it hurt him to say that, Hermione and I are just good friends, but it was done and it brought a smile to Cho's face before she left.
Harry couldn't hear as he left the hallway the sniffling around the corner, it so happened that Hermione was just coming back from a shower in the prefect's bathroom and walked just in time catch what Harry said, 'Hermione and I are just good friends', at first she didn't know how to handle it. In a way she knew that was all they could be, being what she is and what he is. Then again she felt once again she was alone, though she had Ron as her boyfriend there had been something about her and Harry over the past weeks that Ron and her could never get. She told herself that it was true; it was true that Harry had no emotional feeling except friends for her as she walked towards the Gryffindor's commons. Just before she stood in front of the entrance she started to break down into a cry. She didn't want anyone to see or hear her as she then ran to Hagrid's.
Hermione arrived shortly after and knocked on the door which was followed by some grumbling and the door opened and Hagrid standing there (a little muck in his eyes from napping) looking at Hermione who had red and puffy eyes from crying. He quickly brought her in and put some tea on the fire.
"What's wrong?" Hagrid asked while waiting for the tea.
"I just need someone to talk to that's all." Hermione sniffled a little before cleaning herself up.
"Well, you can talk to me if you want." Hagrid said.
"It's nothing, just stupid emotional stuff, that's all." Hermione said, Hagrid like all men didn't understand why someone would ask they needed talk to someone and then state that it was alright.
"Well nothing is stupid, you can tell me." The kettle steam and sounded off as Hagrid quickly took it off the fire and pour some into two cups one quite larger then the other. Then he handed one to Hermione who took it with a thank you attached to the end before sipping it up.
"Well, it's just, I thought for a second, well ok maybe not a second but for a long time that Harry liked me in a way more then just a friend. I know it sounds stupid because me and Ron are going out, but… sometimes in my dreams I want to be with Harry, even if he is what he is, it still feel as if I should be with him." She said quietly. Hagrid didn't know how to respond, he didn't know what to say about this situation, it was out of his league as he just looked towards the fire.
Outside Harry had arrived just at the hut and right before he knocked he heard what Hermione had to say. He was certainly caught by surprise from what she had said, of course he liked her, despite the fact in his current state his emotions were in jumbles, then he thought of Ron. He didn't want to break up what he has that would be the only reasonable value of why he wasn't with Hermione right now. That's the only reason he said it, well that and because he did like Cho. Harry then listened in on what Hagrid had to say.
"Why don't you just tell him how your feel?"
"You know just as well as I do Hagrid that you just don't walk up to some one and tell them that you've liked him for some time, want to go out and that stuff." Hermione said, Hagrid shrugged his shoulders that what giants would do. "It takes time, come on look at Harry it took him at least a year before getting a kiss from Cho and going out on a date. Though he did screw it up for me… (Hermione trailed off a bit before shaking her head and coming back to), but anyways these things take time." Hagrid smiled under his gangly beard while looking a Hermione.
"Want me to ask him?" Hagrid said which quickly Hermione said no. "Right then," Hagrid replied and taking a sip from his tea. Harry just stood outside listening to what they had been saying, in a way he wanted to go run in there and tell Hermione that he liked her in a way more then just a friend then again he thought about Ron and how horrible he would be if he lost Hermione.
"I don't know Hagrid, I just don't know anymore. Ron, well you know Ron, he's not like Harry nor anywhere near what Harry is. Ron in a way has his qualities I mean he's a lot easier to talk to then Harry; he has nothing to hide unlike Harry. Plus he doesn't come with the package that Voldemort is always going to be after him. I just don't know, I'm confused… I'm going to walk around for a bit. Thank you Hagrid for listening." Hermione said as she got up and hugged Hagrid before leaving the hut and walking back to the castle not noticing Harry standing there next to the door who then following her by matching her footsteps. She walked with her head down, just thinking to herself, she was torn in side. A two way battle and she didn't know which way to fight, Ron or Harry, qualities both had. Ron though she fought with was easier to talk to in a more personal way, he didn't have guilt and the world loaded onto his shoulders. Harry he had something that no one else had, he listened, didn't argue and was overall a kind person vampire or not. He cared for everyone but himself, she liked that, he had the world on his shoulders and yet he still continued to give. 'Arg' was all she could say as she stopped in front of the Gryffindor's commons uttering the password she walked in and to the dorms. (Sir Cadogan was going to say that Harry was behind her, but Harry told him to remain quiet.) Throughout the entire walk Harry had followed her, in a way he felt like her, torn in two sides with love. He wouldn't want to bring either one into his life because he knew of the dangers, but that was truly impossible. Harry stood there looking at the knight in his shining armor sitting upon his horse in armor like his own before walking into the commons. Making sure no one was there he tapped the mantle and got his drink before finishing and walking to his bed to sleep.
Morning came quickly and before anyone knew it they were outside on the Quidditch pitch cheering for the teams that took the field and took no time in rocketing around the stands. Harry walked with Hermione, who kept her distance, up towards the stands. They were stopped only by Luna who had her lion hat on and ran up to both Harry and Hermione who she only kept her eyes upon Harry. It didn't take them long to get a seat and wait for the game to start, Harry could notice from the corner of his eye that Luna had not taken her eyes off of him once since she had caught up with them. She pulled the string on her hat making it roar to only making the stands roar just as loud. Ron zoomed by the Gryffindor stands and smiled at Hermione who only returned the smile, his face though didn't seem too happy with Harry being there by her side as he took off to the Quidditch post. Ron looped a few times before then going in the center and waiting for madam hooch to come out and get the game started. The new announcer to take the stand was Dean Thomas; he stood like he was a natural at announcing the games. Harry looked over and gave a thumb up before turning his head back and watching Ginny moving rapidly through the air.
"NOW ANNOUNCING THE STARTING LINE UP FOR GRYFFINDOR, THE CAPTAIN RON WEASLEY!" The crowd cheered and roared chanting Weasley's our king. "SEEKER GINNY WEASLEY, CHASERS –"suddenly dean went quiet and looking as if something was wrong with his voice. He pointed to his throat as he quickly fell over from what he looked like he was choking. Harry noticed but did not move, most the student looked but did not care. Harry looked to Draco which wasn't to hard to pick out of the stands since he had been with a few other people laughing at Dean. Harry figured that they had something to do with it, but Dumbledore quickly recovered by taking the stand and announcing the rest of the team. It wasn't to long after Dumbledore finished before Madam Hooch threw up the ball and the game was on. It wasn't to long after that either when the game was ended by Ginny who caught the snitch in record time. She was hailed and praised like Harry in his first year he caught that snitch in his mouth. Harry along with so many other Gryffindor's cheered.
Harry walked with Hermione and Luna down to the locker rooms and waited for Ron and Ginny to come out. Then Harry congratulated Ginny for the impressive performance and Ron for not letting a quaffle getting through, well then again Ginny caught the snitch so fast that he didn't need to guard anything.
"I have to go back to studying, bye Harry." Was all Luna said before making her way towards the Ravenclaw commons. After talking for a while down by the locker rooms they walked up for the dinner feast that wasn't to far off, Ginny and Ron announced a bit to loud that they were quite famished after playing. Hermione and Harry looked at each other laughing softly in there heads.
Next Chapter – Animagus classes
- "It stalks it prey like a African lion, it's as intelligent as a dolphin, it soars like a falcon"
Please Review --- I will respond to all reviews in my next chapter of Kiss from a Rose.
Review Responses –
potter-man – thank you for the review I'm glad finally that now Hermione knows. Also I want to Dumbledore's animagus ability open for right now. I'm currently still thinking of what he is going to be (for later use). If anyone has suggestions tell me please.
Arizosa – Rolling Stones concert, well damn lucky you! Anyways have fun.
Amy2k – You take a guess on who's making the attacks I won' tell until the end or close to the end of the tale. Hermione, ba I doubt she could take anything bad. Thank you for the review J
Robaatsu – I hope this gets better and better with each chapter, if it doesn't please tell me because I'm not doing my duties.
Iknouluvmemuch – will do
BAD BOY HARRY – Sorry for being a day late, it took me some time to edited this chapter since I've lost my beta reader in London.
L.I.T Wanderer -- Yes darkness we all have and try to conceal, I won't tell who the attacker is till later on.
Ian – Ginny/Harry, I like those for now, I will not say thing even though this story is in the Harry/Hermione section things might change.. who knows.
TimGold – I know what you mean, I hate to see Ron/Hermione together (it boggles my mind that I can even write Ron). Anyways thank you for reading, Training… Dunno yet, I might or might now. Though I like the idea (I did it in the last KSR) but it doesn't seem to fit into this one as of this moment.