A/N: ok FINALLY im posting this chapter. Sry it took so long, heh. Well,
this is actually one of my favourite chapters (not cuz of the sex) and it's
rather lengthy so sit down, relax and enjoy, oh, and tell me what u think
afterwards k? iights, thankx so much, oh, and THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS
GUYS AND GALS!!! I ono were I'd bee without em!!! And u of course ;)
WARNING: This chapter has swearing, nudity and sex, so if u don't like it.LEAVE!!! Thx!
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~ Chapter 11 ~
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Girl Talk
*
Harry stood there, alone in the common room, not knowing whether to move, or to sit, or to walk, or to not move at all. He was thinking of Rachel. He really liked her, a lot. No. He loved her. But, did she feel the same way about him? What if she didn't? What if her feelings towards him had changed? What then?
STOP! He told himself. He couldn't think in such negative ways. He had to go and find her, and sort things out. 'What about Ginny?' A little voice in Harry's head said. Ginny? How did Ginny get here? I already talked to her. I told her how I felt. I told her that I don't have the same feelings for her as she does for me. 'So?' said that little voice again. 'Are you just going to let her leave hoping that one day you'll change your mind about her? What if she never gets a boyfriend because she's waiting for you?' "I don't care anymore!" Harry said out loud.
What was happening to him? He was thinking about Ginny too much, and not enough about Rachel. He had to go and find her.
But he still just stood there. MOVE! He told himself. Nothing. Move, move, MOVE!! Still nothing. 'What about Ginny?'
Finally, Harry moved. He didn't care about Ginny. That stupid head in his voice was, was, he didn't know what it was. Was it his conscience? Or was somebody forcing those thoughts into him. "It's nothing." He told himself, as he walked through the portrait hole.
Now, where is Rachel? Harry thought, happy that thoughts of Ginny were finally out of his head. Is she still at breakfast? Harry's stomach rumbled. He hadn't eaten yet. He was starving. He decided to go to the Great Hall. And maybe he'd even see Rachel there.
A couple minutes later as he piled food on his plate and started on some toast, he looked around the Great Hall. He scanned Gryffindor Table, the other tables, even the teacher's table. But no Rachel. Where could she have gone? He thought to himself. Maybe he would go outside and ask Ron and Hermione where she was. Maybe they'd know.
When he finished eating, he got up, and made for the oak front doors. He walked through and felt a slight wind. He shivered. He made his way towards the lake. When he spotted Ron and Hermione sitting by the lake, he walked towards them. None of them noticed him approaching. He wondered what they were talking about. He amused himself with many different images of them, when something they were talking about caught his ear.
"Umm, Ron?" Hermione asked gently.
"Mmm?" Ron replied.
"Do you, I mean, do you think we should tell Harry?"
"About.?" Ron asked, not seeming very interested in the conversation. He was staring out at the lake.
"OH RON!" Hermione sighed. "You can be so thick sometimes, you know."
Ron turned to Hermione. "What?"
"I mean, do you think we should tell Harry about US?"
Ron looked at Hermione, and she looked at him. For a long time they were silent.
Then, Ron took Hermione's hands into his, and said in a soothing voice, "I don't know what his reaction would be, and I wouldn't want to stress my best friend right now even more, with all the things he's going through at the moment."
"He's my best friend too, you know." Hermione said. "But, I guess you're right. But we're gonna have to tell him soon."
"Yeah, I know." Ron looked back at the lake, not letting go of Hermione's hands. He sighed.
What the hell is going on? Harry thought to himself. Ron and Hermione? Together? What about Chris and Jackie? Are they cheating on them? Are Ron and Hermione dealing? RON AND HERMIONE? Harry's head was swimming in thoughts. He felt that Ron was right in not telling Harry at the moment because he would stress out even more. But it was too late. Harry already heard.
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Yes, Ron?" Hermione replied, looking out at the lake too.
Ron looked at her, and she looked at him, and before Harry could turn away, or scream, or react at all, they were immersed in a deep kiss. It must have gone on for about a minute or so, and it probably would have gone on longer if Harry hadn't at that exact moment found his voice again.
"What the fuck?" Harry shouted.
Instantly, they broke apart, both flushed.
"Harry?" Hermione said in a rather high voice.
Ron on the other hand stood up. "Ugh, Harry. What are you doing here?" He was so red that it was hard to distinguish his skin from his hair.
"I came to ask you where Rachel was." Harry said casually, trying not to laugh at the way they were acting at how Harry had discovered them. "What about you, huh?" Harry shook his head. He was going to make them pay for not telling him. And plus, he needed a laugh. "My two best friends, smooching in broad daylight, right beside the lake. How romantic." He said sarcastically.
If it was possible, they both flushed even more. Hermione got off the ground too, and stood beside Ron. "Harry," She started.
Harry cut her of. "Hermione!" He shouted. He almost died on the spot trying to hide his laughter. He was going to milk this for all it was worth. "Hermione! My best friend. How could you? Right behind my back! I thought we were friends!"
"We are!" Hermione tried desperately.
"Shh." Harry cut her off again. "NO! Not anymore. How could you two go sneaking behind my back like that? How? And exactly how long has this been going on? I demand an explanation!"
Ron opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say anything, Harry burst out laughing; he couldn't hold it in any longer.
Ron and Hermione just stood there, looking at Harry rolling around on the floor doubled up with laughter. They both were relieved, to see that Harry was just joking.
When Harry had finished laughing, he got up, and stood looking from Hermione to Ron, back to Hermione and then back to Ron. And at the exact same time, they all started cracking up. The noise could have been heard a mile away.
"Harry, you had us there for a second." Hermione said. She was the first one to finally stop laughing.
"Yeah," Ron chimed in. "Quite the prankster, eh?"
"Yeah, I am, aren't I?" Harry said, grinning. "Well, I still want to know how this happened." Harry said.
"Yeah, yeah." Ron said.
"Ron!" Hermione said. "He deserves to know. He IS our best friend after all."
"I know. Fine, you tell him."
"Fine, I will."
Ron stuck out his tongue at Hermione, and she did the same to him.
"You guys are meant to be together," Harry laughed.
Hermione blushed. "Do you want to know or not?" She asked irritably.
"Ok, ok. Go ahead."
"Well, after all that stuff that happened with Rachel, you went and talked to her, right, Harry?" Harry nodded. "Well, that left me and Ron alone. And we were just talking, about everything. We really had never talked like that before. You and Rachel took so long, that me and Ron, well, we had a very thorough talk. We noticed that we had a lot in common. And he, well, confessed to me that he had a little crush on me since last year. Ever since the whole Krum thing. He told me he was jealous-"
"He doesn't need details," Ron blushed.
"Sorry, anyways," Hermione continued, looking away from Ron and at Harry. "I also had feelings for Ron. And well, we decided to give it a try. So when you guys still never came, and it was really late, then me and Ron were left alone in the common room, and we, er, kissed." She paused, looking from Ron to Harry.
"Ok, but what about Chris and Jackie?" Harry asked, trying not to snicker. "I thought you guys liked them."
"Well," Hermione said, "We decided that we liked each other better, and we broke up with them this morning." She blushed.
"Oh." Harry said. "My two best friends, in love with each other." He grinned at them.
"Shut up, Harry." Ron said.
"Ok, ok. Sorry, I wont say any more about it."
"You better not."
Harry laughed. "I wont, it was just the first time, you know."
"Yah, better be."
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah?"
"Could you, you know, not tell any one about us yet? We're waiting for the right time, you know."
"Oh, ok.no problem. My lips are sealed," Harry said, and sniggered again.
Ron threw a fake punch at him, but Harry dogged it. They all laughed. It was nice to only be just the three of them together. They hadn't hung out like this in a while. He had a feeling that it would be very rare for just the three of them to be fooling around like this, with everything that was happening now. He missed these kinds of days.
Then he remembered that he still hadn't apologized to Rachel. "Hey," he asked. "I just remembered. Have any of you guys seen Rachel?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other before answering.
"She went to the library." Hermione answered. "She told me she had to look something up."
"Oh, ok." Harry said. "Thanks. I'm going to go and talk to her, alright?"
"Ok." Ron said. "Good luck." Now it was his turn to snigger.
"Eat slugs!" Harry retorted, which made Ron turn white.
"Oh no, please, not again." Ron said.
"I was kidding." Harry answered, grinning.
"Oh.I knew that."
"Alright, see you guys later!" Harry said.
"See you."
"Bye!"
Harry made his way back to the castle. When he got there, he went to the library. He looked around, but there wasn't even a sign of Rachel. "Dammit!" He whispered to himself.
"Hey Parvati?" Harry asked Parvati Patil as she walked by.
"Yes, Harry?" She responded, smiling at him.
"Umm, have you seen Rachel anywhere?"
Parvati's smile faded at the mention of Rachel's name. "Yeah, she's over there by the section in the back on muggles."
"Ok, thanks" Harry said as he began walking towards the back of the library.
He heard Parvati shout at his retreating back "No problem!"
Luckily, he spotted Rachel reading a huge book. As he neared, he read the cover 'Ancient & Present Muggle Ceremonies' She was so absorbed in the book that she didn't notice Harry sit beside her.
"Hey." Harry said in a flat voice.
Rachel jumped. Then noticed Harry and smiled at him. "Hey" she said back to him.
"I was wondering if we could, you know, talk." Harry said, feeling very pathetic.
"Umm, sure, if you want." She removed her reading glasses, and looked at Harry.
"You want to talk in here?" Harry asked her.
"Why not?"
"Er, ok." Harry hesitated. "Look, I'm really sorry about earlier."
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such an idiot. I knew that what Ginny and me were doing was wrong. But Harry, I couldn't let her take you away from me. We had to settle it our own way. Wouldn't you do the same if someone wanted to take me away from you?"
"Yes, I would." Harry said. "Look, just promise me that next time you'll try and solve it another way? Because I was really worried about you. I was scared. I don't know what I would do if I lost you, Rachel. I love you."
She looked at him, and their eyes locked. He saw the love in them. The caring. The passion. "I promise," she whispered quietly, as she neared Harry. Harry brought his head towards Rachel and their lips met for a second time. It was the best feeling ever. He didn't want it to end, but it had to, they couldn't kiss in the school library. The librarian would tell them off. So, under the circumstances, they parted.
As their heads drifted away from each other, Harry slowly opened his eyes, and saw Rachel do the same. The look she gave him was so seductive, so passionate, that it made Harry tingle all over. He wanted her, now more than ever. But would she want him back?
"Do you want to go somewhere more, err, private?" He asked her quietly.
"Not now, Harry." She said, putting back her glasses on and returning to the huge, dusty book. She turned to Harry and saw the disappointed look on his face. "I'm sorry. It's just that, with the funeral and all." She trailed off.
"Oh, right." Harry said, feeling stupid. How could he be asking her for passion when her father and half-brother just died? He decided to stick with the subject. "Why exactly are you reading that book?"
"Oh, this?" She asked, taking her eyes away from the book. "Well, the funeral is going to be a muggle one, since they were both muggles, and I'm just reading up on muggle funeral ceremonies, because I have never been to one, or seen one, and I don't want to look like a fool."
"Yeah, good idea." Harry responded. He was just about to ask her if she wanted to take a break and walk around a bit, when a thought struck him. "Wait a minute." He said abruptly. "What about me? I have never been to a muggle funeral either."
"But didn't you grow up with muggles?" Rachel asked, taking her eyes away from the book once again.
"Yes, but I've never been to a funeral. I've seen them in cartoons and stuff, I remember, but never actually experienced it."
"Oh, don't worry about it, there's just a lot of standing around, and praying, and things like that. Don't worry you'll be fine. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you."
"What is it?" Harry asked, as Rachel took out some parchment from her skirt pocket.
"Well, the funeral is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yah." Harry said slowly.
"Well, my mum said that she wants me and you to be there tomorrow."
"Where's there?"
"Well, we're going to be staying at my mother's house in Hogsmeade. And then, the day of the funeral, we're going to get a drive up to London to where the funeral will take place. So we have to pack today. Take whatever you want. It's just going to be a 3 day trip." She paused, and then asked, "You're still coming, right?"
"Yes, of course." Harry said. "I want to be there for you when you need me."
"Thank you, Harry." She pecked him quickly on the lips, and then returned to the huge book.
He didn't want to bother her any more, so Harry decided to go and let Rachel finished reading. "See you later." He whispered to her. She nodded her head that she heard. Harry left the library.
'Hmmm, where am I going to go now? He asked himself. Not back to Ron and Hermione, they might be smooching or something. Hey! I haven't visited Hagrid in a while. I think I'll go and visit him.' As he made his way to Hagrid's cabin, another thought entered his mind. 'Where's Ginny?' "Ginny?" He said to himself. Why on earth is he thinking about Ginny?
And without even noticing it, he changed his direction and headed for the Gryffindor common room.
"Ginny?" He called out as he walked through the portrait hole.
"Harry?" Came a voice from Harry's left side.
Harry turned around and found himself standing face to face with Ginny. What the hell was he thinking? Why the hell was he looking for Ginny? How the hell did thoughts of Ginny start entering his head?
"Err, hey Ginny." Harry said feeling very uncomfortable.
"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked.
"Erm, no, nothing's wrong." Harry answered. He felt himself going slightly red. He felt very embarrassed that he had been looking for Ginny for no reason.
Ginny's look went from curious to confused. "Ok" she said slowly. "Then, what is it? Were you looking for me, or something?"
No, of course I wasn't looking for you, Harry thought to himself. Why would I be looking for you? I was just heading to Hagrid's when I found myself face to face with you. I'm not looking for you. "Have you seen Colin?" Harry asked, thinking fast.
"Oh," Ginny's face went from confused to gloomy. "No, I haven't seen Colin. Sorry, Harry."
"Oh, never mind. I think he's still at breakfast." Harry said, and with that, spun around and left as quickly as he came.
Whoa, that was weird, Harry thought. I have to be careful. But what's wrong with me? Why do I keep thinking about Ginny? I don't even like her, just as a friend. Harry started walking to the entrance hall.
When he got there, he left to go to Hagrid's cabin. He knocked on the door and heard Fangs booming barks. "Comin'" Harry heard Hagrid yell.
A second later, the door opened and there was Hagrid. "Harry!" He said. "Nice ter see yeh! Come in, come in. Just made a pot o tea." He let Harry through.
"Thanks Hagrid. This morning has been crazy. I just want to relax for a while."
"Oh, no problem, Harry." Hagrid beamed. "You know, if yer havin' any problems, I'd be happy ter help, o course."
"Thanks Hagrid." Hagrid poured Harry a cup of tea, and Harry slowly started sipping it. After a while, he decided to tell Hagrid his troubles.
They talked for what seemed like two hours, because when Harry finally left, it was lunchtime. He said goodbye to Hagrid, and made his way to the Great Hall. He spotted Rachel sitting by herself eating an apple and reading the same big book.
"Hey." Harry said as he sat down beside her.
"Oh, hello Harry." She answered without looking up.
It didn't seem like Rachel wanted to talk, so Harry grabbed a goblet of pumpkin juice and drank it. He looked around the Great Hall and spotted Jackie. She was sitting with Chris Moon, and they were laughing. It seemed that they took the break up pretty well. He also noticed that they were holding hands. "Well there's fate for you." Rachel said taking her eyes away from the book and looking at where Harry was staring.
"Yeah." Harry said. "I guess you're right."
Rachel laughed. Then she asked, "Have you started packing yet?"
"No."
"Oh, well, are you going to?"
"Probably."
"I see." She paused. "So, what have you been doing all day?"
"Aren't I supposed to ask you? You're the one with the crystal ball."
Rachel laughed again. "I guess you're right. But crystal gazing isn't as easy as I thought it would be." She sighed. "I was reading up on it, and it's very complex. A lot of meditation is involved."
"Do you think you'd be able to do it, though?"
"Well, I don't know yet. I haven't tried. And with all that has happened, well, one would say that I don't have the time right now." She looked suddenly depressed.
"Yeah, I know." Harry said. He rubbed her back soothingly.
"I asked Hermione if she wanted to look through it, but she said no right away."
It was Harry's turn to laugh. "Hermione? Crystal gaze?"
"Why not?"
"She ditched Divination in third year."
"What?"
Harry laughed at the shocked expression on Rachel's face. "Yeah, it's true. It was funny though."
"Funny? How could ditching class be FUNNY?"
"But it WAS funny." Came Ron's voice. Harry and Rachel turned around and saw Ron and Hermione sit beside them.
"Ron!" Hermione said in a severe voice. "It was NOT funny. But I had to do it. Divination is so stupid. You can barely call it magic."
Ron rolled his eyes at her. Harry laughed. Rachel on the other hand was shocked.
"Excuse me?" She said, standing up. "Divination is NOT stupid."
"It's a very imprecise branch of magic. A lot of guesswork is involved. I work with facts. Things that are true to the last drop." Hermione said, also standing up.
"It may have a lot of guesswork involved, but that's what makes it interesting and unique. It's different and the results are much more satisfying."
"How can you even have ANY results in Divination? It's next to impossible to predict the future because the future can change any second. And I should know, having had the experience with a time-turner."
Now Rachel looked even more shocked. "You've used a time-turner before?"
"Yes, but be quiet. No one is supposed to know."
And just as quickly as their argument had begun, it stopped and they were absorbed in a conversation about time-turners and different instruments to go back in time or to speed up time, or anything to do with time.
Harry and Ron just looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and talked about the latest Quidditch match they had read about in the Daily Prophet.
At the end of the day, Harry walked up to Gryffindor Tower with Ron, Hermione and Rachel. They were all exhausted.
They dragged their feet to a couch and plopped down on it. It was after midnight, and they were soaking wet, tired, and hungry. But at least they were happy.
After lunch they all went down by the lake and just sat by it enjoying the view. Then Ron had an idea to swim in the lake since it was a nice, cool day. So they decided to do it.
They were swimming around the whole day in their school uniforms. But Rachel and Ron had decided to go out further. So they swam around until they got lost.
"Ron, you're so stupid," Harry said, resting his legs on a stool. "You always think of the most stupidest things."
"What?" Ron said. He didn't get up because his feet and arms were hurting from using them all day, "You didn't think it was stupid when I first thought of it."
"Well I didn't know we'd get lost." Harry retorted.
"Why are you only blaming me? Rachel thought of it too." Ron said.
"But unlike you," Harry started, "Rachel thought of a way to get us OUT of the mess."
"Exactly." Hermione added.
"Well, I'm just happy I had my wand. I read about that spell in a book at my house, but I didn't think I'd ever need it."
"Well, thank god you did," Ron said. "Because we would still be there trying to find our way back to the castle."
"I always loved teleporting spells. Even if it is for a short distance." Hermione said.
"Yes, me too," Rachel added. "Good thing I teleported us back to the castle's shoreline."
"Ow," Ron moaned.
"Keep your voice down." Harry hissed. "You don't want to wake any one up. We'd get in shit if anyone found out what happened."
"What is it, Ron?" Hermione asked in a concerned voice.
"My shoulders are hurting like hell. I didn't think we'd be swimming all day." He moaned again.
"I'll give you a massage if you give me a massage?" Hermione said.
"Yes!" Ron shouted.
"Shhh!" Harry, Hermione and Rachel hissed.
"Sorry," Ron whispered.
"I'm cold." Harry said.
"Why don't you dry up?" Rachel asked as Hermione moved towards Ron and started to massage his shoulders. He closed his eyes and moaned, but quietly. Hermione started blushing a little, and didn't look up at Harry and Rachel.
"I'm too lazy to get up and get a towel." Harry answered.
"Harry!" Rachel said as she started to laugh. "Use the drying charm."
"Huh?" Harry asked. "Oh yeah, magic. I forgot." He also laughed. He took out his wand and cast the drying charm. Right away he felt warm all over. He cast the charm on Rachel too. Then he looked over at Ron and Hermione to see if they wanted the drying charm also, but they were too busy to even hear Harry ask them. He turned to Rachel, and they both started to laugh at Ron and Hermione.
"Ahem." Rachel said. "Well, I think we should leave them too it, don't you think, Harry?"
"Yes, I do."
"Oh shit!" Rachel said.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I just remembered. We were supposed to pack!"
"Oh yeah." Harry remembered. "So I guess we have to pack, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess." They were silent for a while. "I'm going to go to bed now. I think I'll just pack early in the morning. We'll head for Hogsmeade whenever you're ready, alright?"
"Yeah, sure." Harry answered. He was wondering if he'd even get a good night kiss.
Rachel got up, and started walking toward the girls' staircase. "Oh, and Harry?" She turned back, walked to him, and kissed him with a deep, passionate kiss. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Was all Harry could say back, he was trying to hold on to the feel of the kiss. When would he be getting another one? Maybe he could get one from Ginny. Ginny? Not again. He was thinking about her again. He was thinking about her during their swim. Why the hell did he keep thinking about her? Harry started to think that maybe there was some kind of magic behind this. Maybe some kind of dark magic?
"Harry?" Rachel asked, and Harry realized that she was still there, and was looking at him. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, why?" Harry asked, trying not to blush.
"You had a, sort of glazed expression on your face, that's all." Rachel mumbled.
"Oh, it's nothing." He chuckled.
"Ok then. Good night." And as Rachel walked past she said quietly "Good night you too, don't stay up to late." Hermione looked at Rachel with a shocked expression, but Rachel just giggled and walked up the staircase. Hermione went back to Ron.
Harry also decided to go to bed.
"G'night Harry" Ron said as he heard Harry walking towards the boys' staircase.
"See you tomorrow, Harry," Hermione squeaked to him.
"Later" Harry said without even looking back at them and missing a good laugh. He wasn't in the mood to laugh. He was in the mood to find out why he kept thinking about Ginny. Did he really like her? Or was it just some kind of spell that someone slipped him?
Would Ginny poison him just to get him? No. That wasn't Ginny. He knew her for four years now, and she wasn't like that. She learned her lesson when she experienced the dark magic in Tom Riddle's diary. She wouldn't do something like this to him. So then, who would? Was it Rachel perhaps? No. How could it be Rachel? She wouldn't poison him. And why would she want Harry to be constantly thinking about Ginny? Unless it was some kind of test. Maybe Rachel was testing Harry, to see how loyal he really is to her. But why would she do that? Doesn't she trust him? Maybe I DO like Ginny? No!!! Of course I don't, stupid thought.
Harry's head was swimming in thoughts when he climbed into bed that night. He forgot all about the next morning and he didn't even remember to pack. He was going to be screwed when he woke up in the morning.
Harry fell into an uneasy sleep. He dreamt of Rachel and Ginny. One wouldn't call them dreams, rather nightmares. He kept waking up in the night drenched in cold sweat.
*
"Rachel, are you still awake?"
She heard a whisper in the dark dormitory, and knew it was Hermione. She had just come in from the common room. It was well past one in the morning, and Rachel still couldn't fall asleep. Too many things were on her mind. She didn't even have time to pack yet. She would have to do it in the morning.
So many things were swimming through her head, and that's why she couldn't fall asleep. The funeral that was supposed to take place the day after tomorrow, where she would be spending the day at her mother's house in Hogsmeade, and Harry. Harry was the thing that took up most of her thoughts. She was so happy that he would be coming with her tomorrow. And that he would be with her at the funeral. He was such a good boyfriend, and she loved him with all of her heart. And she always would.
"Yeah, I'm still awake." Rachel whispered through the darkness towards Hermione's four-poster bed.
"Oh, ok."
"Are you alright, Mione?" Rachel asked.
"Well, yeah, I guess, I dunno. Er, it's about Ron." Hermione whispered.
"Oh, I see." Rachel paused. Here we go again. Then again. How many times had she and Hermione stayed up to talk about their problems? When Rachel was having trouble with Harry, Hermione was always there listening and giving advice. And when Hermione had trouble with Chris and now Ron, or just wanted to talk about them, there was Rachel, listening. They had so many "girl talks" as one would call them. But they weren't all about boys. They had also talked about their feelings, their dreams, their passions, and goals and just plain life. Hermione really was a great friend. So it was time to repay her. "Mione, why don't you come over to my bed, and we'll talk about it."
Rachel heard a squeak of excitement from Hermione, and then she heard her get off the bed and slowly tip toe her way to Rachel's four-poster. They were going to have another one of their discussions. She wondered if Parvati and Lavender were going to listen, as they did before, or go to each other's beds and have their own discussion.
When Hermione sat down on Rachel's bed, Rachel could just barely make out her face.
"Light one of those fires, again." Rachel whispered.
"Oh, right." Hermione grabbed her wand, muttered an incantation, and there, right in front of their eyes materialized a small fireball with bright white and blue flames. Hermione had once told her that she was skilled in making these flames, and they had used them as a source of light ever since.
"Make it a bit dimmer," Rachel said, "Because you might wake up Parvati or Lavender, and we know what a shame that would be." They both laughed at Rachel's sarcasm. But Hermione dimmed the light from the fire anyways.
Rachel looked around at the other two four-poster beds and saw that both Parvati and Lavender had their eyes open, and were whispering to each other across the room. Parvati looked up and saw that Rachel was looking at her. She rolled her eyes at her, looked away, and motioned for Lavender to come sit beside her.
Rachel rolled her eyes too. Oh, how she hated Parvati. She was such a slut. But that's not the reason why she hated her. Rachel hated Parvati because Parvati was after her man, Harry. She knew Parvati liked Harry ever since last year, when he took her to the Yule Ball. But Rachel knew that Harry didn't like Parvati. But she couldn't help seeing Parvati flirting with Harry at every possible moment. It made Rachel want to curse her into a million pieces. It made her want to.kill her. But that was just the jealousy. And Rachel couldn't sink that low and be jealous. She just pretended like she didn't care, and went on living her life, with Harry.
"Rachel, are you listening? RACHEL!" Hermione shouted. Parvati and Lavender looked over at Hermione, whispered something, and then went back to their conversation.
"Oh, sorry, Mione, I wasn't listening. What was that?" Rachel said, snapping back to reality.
"Well," Hermione started, they didn't have to whisper anymore because the others were awake too, "I was saying something, and I saw a glazed expression on your face, and I knew you weren't listening. So I said that Harry was a lying, cheating son of a bitch and when you didn't say anything, I KNEW that you weren't listening." Hermione smiled.
"OH! You bitch!" Rachel said. She pounced at Hermione, but Hermione was already ready. She took the pillow in her hand and whacked it right at Rachel's face. Rachel was hit by the pillow, but seized another one, and hit Hermione across the face.
"I'll get you for that one," Hermione said, and she took a bunch of Rachel's hair and tugged at it.
Rachel howled in pain. She stole Hermione's pillow, took hers in her hand, and whacked Hermione with two pillows across her face. Hermione screamed and fell off the bed. Parvati and Lavender were watching them and howling with laughter.
Rachel stood up on her bed, held her hands up into the air, and took a bow. "Yes, I win!" She shouted. Hermione immerged from the floor, looked at Rachel, and they both exploded with giggles.
When they finished, they fixed the mess they had made, and sat back down on Rachel's bed. "I'll get you next time," Hermione muttered to herself, which made them both laugh.
"I doubt it." Rachel retorted. "Hmm, let's see." Rachel said to herself, but knew Hermione was listening. "How many have I won in a row so far?" She ticked them off on her fingers. "HA! I won 6 in a row so far. Tsk, tsk, Hermione, are you going to break my winning streak any time soon?"
"Oh, shut up." Hermione said, and they laughed once more.
"Anyways, what were we going to talk about?" Rachel asked, going serious. She wasn't sleepy anymore. Whenever her and Hermione had these little night parties, she was never sleepy. She could go on till dawn talking with her.
"Well, Ron." Hermione said. She didn't blush or anything, because she was used to talking with Rachel about this kind of stuff.
"Ok, what seems to be wrong?" Rachel asked. "You guys seem happy enough."
"Well, we are happy." Hermione said brightly. "But."
"There's always a but, isn't there." Hermione nodded her head.
"Er, me and Ron are really happy, you know that. But, well, I feel like I haven't been giving him enough, you know." Hermione trailed off.
"You mean."
"Yeah, I think Ron wants.sex" She whispered the last word so Parvati and Lavender couldn't hear.
"Oh," Rachel said. "Wow, this IS serious." She took out her wand, summoned two glasses of milk, and gave one to Hermione and one to herself. "Ok, Mione, go on."
"Well, me and Ron love each other very much. But I feel as if I'm not fully committing myself to him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we kiss and stuff, and we've gone pretty far already, but I'm not sure if I want to go -" she hesitated, "All the way."
"Do you want to?"
"Yes. No. I don't know." Hermione looked miserable.
"Ok, does he want it?"
"He said that if I'm ready, then yes."
"Are you ready?"
"That's what I don't know."
Rachel looked at her friend. "Mione, if you don't think you're ready, then don't do it. But if you're positive, well, I would still hesitate. Sex is a really important thing. And if you're SURE, absolutely sure you want to do it, well, that's your choice. But me, I'm not going to do it unless I know it's with someone special, someone I love with all of my heart, some one like."
"Harry?" Hermione said.
"Yeah, someone like, Harry." Rachel smiled, she really was lucky to have someone like Harry.
"So you think he's the one?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I'm not really sure yet. I mean, I love him and all, but sex is a big step. I'm not sure if I'm ready to take it yet."
"Does he want it?"
"No. Well, I don't really know. Actually, maybe he does. Then again. We haven't talked about it yet. Have you and Ron talked about it?"
"Yes, we have. That's why I came to talk to you and-"
"What the hell are you looking at?" Rachel snapped. Hermione turned around and saw that Rachel was talking to Parvati and Lavender. "Why the hell are you listening to our private conversation?"
Lavender looked scared, but Parvati got up and said, "I can listen to whatever I want, whenever I want." She said it in a rude, bossy voice.
"Not while I'm around!" Rachel said. She whipped out her want, muttered and incantation and out came beautiful music. It shot out of her wand, and hit Parvati and Lavender.
Parvati looked like she was about to cry. She was holding her ears, and her mouth looked as if she was screaming, but nothing came out. As soon as the spell hit them, the music stopped.
"Rachel!" Hermione shrieked. "What did you do?"
"Well, they were listening to our conversation, and I didn't want them to hear, so I put a deaf charm on them. All they are going to hear until I take the charm off is that music. Oh, and they cant speak, either." She grinned evilly.
"Umm, ok." Hermione looked at Parvati and Lavender, they were sitting on the floor holding their ears, and rocking backwards and forwards. They looked like psycho people.
"Anyways, you were saying?" Rachel said to Hermione.
"Oh yeah, well, I want to make Ron happy. And I think that I will make him happy by making love to him."
"Hermione, will it make YOU happy?"
Hermione stayed quiet for a while. It looked like she was thinking. She finally answered. "Yes, it would make me happy because I love Ron, I love him like I've never loved anyone. I think he's special, and I know he thinks I'm special. He's the one, Rach. I can feel it. Every time I'm with him, something about him makes me feel.all warm and tingly inside. He's defiantly the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. And he's definitely the person I want to lose my virginity too, if to anyone."
Rachel beamed at Hermione. "You got it, girl!" She hugged Hermione very tightly. "You know what I just realized?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"The next time we talk like this again, you might not be a virgin!" They both laughed.
"So, what about you, Rachel?" Hermione questioned. "Do you think you're going to take that step?"
Rachel looked at her lap. Would she? Would Harry? Is Harry the right one? Does he even love her the way she loves him? Yes, he does love her. He told her so. She saw the love in his eyes. The way he kissed, with such passion and understanding showed that he loved her. Maybe she would lose her virginity to him. But sex is such a big step. Am I ready? Is he? Maybe it's not right. Maybe he's not the one. Maybe he's not the right one. Maybe, maybe, maybe. All these maybes. I need fact! Good old pure fact!
Maybe we should talk. Just Harry and me. Talk about our relationship, where it's going. Is it serious? Serious enough? And there was also Ginny. She kept interfering with her and Harry. She really loves Harry. What if Harry starts liking her, and not me? But I know that he loves me, and if he starts falling for Ginny, I'll know. Hopefully.
"I don't know, Mione." Rachel finally said. "I really don't."
"I know how you feel." Hermione said.
They stayed silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts. They barley even touched their glasses of milk. But finally, Rachel spoke. "Me and Harry are going to be together for the next couple of days, right? For the funeral or whatever. So I guess I'll just have to talk to him then." She said this more to herself that to Hermione.
"You do that." Hermione said in a calm, soothing voice. "I really hope it works out. But if you want my opinion, Harry's never looked the same way at another girl as he looks at you. He loves you. And you love him back. I know he's not that used to being loved, because he never knew his parents, but I think you fulfill that duty just right. You give him the right amount of love. You taught him how to love, and how to be loved. I think that's really extraordinary."
Rachel beamed at her. "Mione, I think you're right." Rachel said. She felt better now. "I keep forgetting that he never knew his parents. It must be really sad. Then again, I never knew my real father, well, considering whom it is, I don't think I WANT to know him. So I guess we're kind of on the same boat. But what are we doing? Pitying Harry. He told me that he didn't want me to pity him, and I'm not going to. I love him for who he is. And he loves me for who I am. That's a perfect relationship!"
"Yes. You're right!" They looked at each other, and hugged again.
Hermione yawned. "I'm getting kinda tired. You wanna call it a night?"
"Yeah, I think so." Rachel responded. Hermione made the fire she conjured disappear and crawled into bed. Rachel was about to blow out the candles that Parvati and Lavender lit when she remembered something. "Woops! I forgot to do the counter curse on those two idiots!" Rachel said, pointing at Parvati and Lavender.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about them too." Hermione said. "Meh! Just leave them like that till morning." She grinned evilly.
Rachel shrugged. "Whatever." And they went to sleep.
Rachel dreamed about Harry, and Hermione dreamed about Ron. But what Rachel didn't know was what Harry was dreaming about.
*
Harry was running through a forest. Rachel was chasing him. He was running as fast as he could, when suddenly he bumped into somebody. A red-haired somebody.
"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry?" Ginny asked.
All of a sudden, the forest was a blur. Harry could no longer see the trees, or Rachel running after him, calling his name. He didn't even know why he was running from Rachel. Why would he run from her? He loved her. Was he running from love?
The forest disappeared, and Harry found himself in a dimly lit room. There was a bed in the middle, and candles were lit all around it. He also noticed that Ginny was with him.
"C'mon, Harry." Ginny said in a sexy, seductive voice that Harry couldn't help but get a tingle from. She took his hand, and led him to the bed.
Next thing he knew, Ginny was kissing Harry, and was unbuttoning his shirt. Harry found himself playing along. He took off Ginny's shirt and skirt, and she was left in her bra and hot pink thong. He liked her this way.
"You'll like me more better when I'm on top of you." Ginny said, as if she was reading his thoughts. Harry smiled at her. She took off his pants. She pushed him onto the bed. Harry couldn't help himself; he ripped off her thong, and undid her bra. There she was. Ginny, naked, beautiful and on top of him.
She slowly took off his boxers. Now they were both naked. And before Harry could do anything about it, Ginny forced him into her. Harry liked the feeling, it was wonderful, but it wasn't there yet. He switched places with her, and now he was on the top. He forced himself to go deeper, deeper, deeper.
*
Harry smiled in his sleep.
A/N: there u have it.hehe.too bad if u don't like the sex part, lol..im not exactly writing from experience, cuz I haff none, OY!! Y am I telling u? shoot.lol..n e whoo, review pls, and again, I AM NON-EXPERIENCED SO THAT's Y THE SEX PART SUX!! BITE ME!!! Ahem, yes, oh, and if u want, go check out my site, it has a couple pix from this fanfic, and other hp fanart, so yea!! Kk...r/r!! Thx so much, byeZ!!
- F e o n I X
WARNING: This chapter has swearing, nudity and sex, so if u don't like it.LEAVE!!! Thx!
*
~ Chapter 11 ~
*
Girl Talk
*
Harry stood there, alone in the common room, not knowing whether to move, or to sit, or to walk, or to not move at all. He was thinking of Rachel. He really liked her, a lot. No. He loved her. But, did she feel the same way about him? What if she didn't? What if her feelings towards him had changed? What then?
STOP! He told himself. He couldn't think in such negative ways. He had to go and find her, and sort things out. 'What about Ginny?' A little voice in Harry's head said. Ginny? How did Ginny get here? I already talked to her. I told her how I felt. I told her that I don't have the same feelings for her as she does for me. 'So?' said that little voice again. 'Are you just going to let her leave hoping that one day you'll change your mind about her? What if she never gets a boyfriend because she's waiting for you?' "I don't care anymore!" Harry said out loud.
What was happening to him? He was thinking about Ginny too much, and not enough about Rachel. He had to go and find her.
But he still just stood there. MOVE! He told himself. Nothing. Move, move, MOVE!! Still nothing. 'What about Ginny?'
Finally, Harry moved. He didn't care about Ginny. That stupid head in his voice was, was, he didn't know what it was. Was it his conscience? Or was somebody forcing those thoughts into him. "It's nothing." He told himself, as he walked through the portrait hole.
Now, where is Rachel? Harry thought, happy that thoughts of Ginny were finally out of his head. Is she still at breakfast? Harry's stomach rumbled. He hadn't eaten yet. He was starving. He decided to go to the Great Hall. And maybe he'd even see Rachel there.
A couple minutes later as he piled food on his plate and started on some toast, he looked around the Great Hall. He scanned Gryffindor Table, the other tables, even the teacher's table. But no Rachel. Where could she have gone? He thought to himself. Maybe he would go outside and ask Ron and Hermione where she was. Maybe they'd know.
When he finished eating, he got up, and made for the oak front doors. He walked through and felt a slight wind. He shivered. He made his way towards the lake. When he spotted Ron and Hermione sitting by the lake, he walked towards them. None of them noticed him approaching. He wondered what they were talking about. He amused himself with many different images of them, when something they were talking about caught his ear.
"Umm, Ron?" Hermione asked gently.
"Mmm?" Ron replied.
"Do you, I mean, do you think we should tell Harry?"
"About.?" Ron asked, not seeming very interested in the conversation. He was staring out at the lake.
"OH RON!" Hermione sighed. "You can be so thick sometimes, you know."
Ron turned to Hermione. "What?"
"I mean, do you think we should tell Harry about US?"
Ron looked at Hermione, and she looked at him. For a long time they were silent.
Then, Ron took Hermione's hands into his, and said in a soothing voice, "I don't know what his reaction would be, and I wouldn't want to stress my best friend right now even more, with all the things he's going through at the moment."
"He's my best friend too, you know." Hermione said. "But, I guess you're right. But we're gonna have to tell him soon."
"Yeah, I know." Ron looked back at the lake, not letting go of Hermione's hands. He sighed.
What the hell is going on? Harry thought to himself. Ron and Hermione? Together? What about Chris and Jackie? Are they cheating on them? Are Ron and Hermione dealing? RON AND HERMIONE? Harry's head was swimming in thoughts. He felt that Ron was right in not telling Harry at the moment because he would stress out even more. But it was too late. Harry already heard.
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Yes, Ron?" Hermione replied, looking out at the lake too.
Ron looked at her, and she looked at him, and before Harry could turn away, or scream, or react at all, they were immersed in a deep kiss. It must have gone on for about a minute or so, and it probably would have gone on longer if Harry hadn't at that exact moment found his voice again.
"What the fuck?" Harry shouted.
Instantly, they broke apart, both flushed.
"Harry?" Hermione said in a rather high voice.
Ron on the other hand stood up. "Ugh, Harry. What are you doing here?" He was so red that it was hard to distinguish his skin from his hair.
"I came to ask you where Rachel was." Harry said casually, trying not to laugh at the way they were acting at how Harry had discovered them. "What about you, huh?" Harry shook his head. He was going to make them pay for not telling him. And plus, he needed a laugh. "My two best friends, smooching in broad daylight, right beside the lake. How romantic." He said sarcastically.
If it was possible, they both flushed even more. Hermione got off the ground too, and stood beside Ron. "Harry," She started.
Harry cut her of. "Hermione!" He shouted. He almost died on the spot trying to hide his laughter. He was going to milk this for all it was worth. "Hermione! My best friend. How could you? Right behind my back! I thought we were friends!"
"We are!" Hermione tried desperately.
"Shh." Harry cut her off again. "NO! Not anymore. How could you two go sneaking behind my back like that? How? And exactly how long has this been going on? I demand an explanation!"
Ron opened his mouth to say something, but before he could say anything, Harry burst out laughing; he couldn't hold it in any longer.
Ron and Hermione just stood there, looking at Harry rolling around on the floor doubled up with laughter. They both were relieved, to see that Harry was just joking.
When Harry had finished laughing, he got up, and stood looking from Hermione to Ron, back to Hermione and then back to Ron. And at the exact same time, they all started cracking up. The noise could have been heard a mile away.
"Harry, you had us there for a second." Hermione said. She was the first one to finally stop laughing.
"Yeah," Ron chimed in. "Quite the prankster, eh?"
"Yeah, I am, aren't I?" Harry said, grinning. "Well, I still want to know how this happened." Harry said.
"Yeah, yeah." Ron said.
"Ron!" Hermione said. "He deserves to know. He IS our best friend after all."
"I know. Fine, you tell him."
"Fine, I will."
Ron stuck out his tongue at Hermione, and she did the same to him.
"You guys are meant to be together," Harry laughed.
Hermione blushed. "Do you want to know or not?" She asked irritably.
"Ok, ok. Go ahead."
"Well, after all that stuff that happened with Rachel, you went and talked to her, right, Harry?" Harry nodded. "Well, that left me and Ron alone. And we were just talking, about everything. We really had never talked like that before. You and Rachel took so long, that me and Ron, well, we had a very thorough talk. We noticed that we had a lot in common. And he, well, confessed to me that he had a little crush on me since last year. Ever since the whole Krum thing. He told me he was jealous-"
"He doesn't need details," Ron blushed.
"Sorry, anyways," Hermione continued, looking away from Ron and at Harry. "I also had feelings for Ron. And well, we decided to give it a try. So when you guys still never came, and it was really late, then me and Ron were left alone in the common room, and we, er, kissed." She paused, looking from Ron to Harry.
"Ok, but what about Chris and Jackie?" Harry asked, trying not to snicker. "I thought you guys liked them."
"Well," Hermione said, "We decided that we liked each other better, and we broke up with them this morning." She blushed.
"Oh." Harry said. "My two best friends, in love with each other." He grinned at them.
"Shut up, Harry." Ron said.
"Ok, ok. Sorry, I wont say any more about it."
"You better not."
Harry laughed. "I wont, it was just the first time, you know."
"Yah, better be."
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah?"
"Could you, you know, not tell any one about us yet? We're waiting for the right time, you know."
"Oh, ok.no problem. My lips are sealed," Harry said, and sniggered again.
Ron threw a fake punch at him, but Harry dogged it. They all laughed. It was nice to only be just the three of them together. They hadn't hung out like this in a while. He had a feeling that it would be very rare for just the three of them to be fooling around like this, with everything that was happening now. He missed these kinds of days.
Then he remembered that he still hadn't apologized to Rachel. "Hey," he asked. "I just remembered. Have any of you guys seen Rachel?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other before answering.
"She went to the library." Hermione answered. "She told me she had to look something up."
"Oh, ok." Harry said. "Thanks. I'm going to go and talk to her, alright?"
"Ok." Ron said. "Good luck." Now it was his turn to snigger.
"Eat slugs!" Harry retorted, which made Ron turn white.
"Oh no, please, not again." Ron said.
"I was kidding." Harry answered, grinning.
"Oh.I knew that."
"Alright, see you guys later!" Harry said.
"See you."
"Bye!"
Harry made his way back to the castle. When he got there, he went to the library. He looked around, but there wasn't even a sign of Rachel. "Dammit!" He whispered to himself.
"Hey Parvati?" Harry asked Parvati Patil as she walked by.
"Yes, Harry?" She responded, smiling at him.
"Umm, have you seen Rachel anywhere?"
Parvati's smile faded at the mention of Rachel's name. "Yeah, she's over there by the section in the back on muggles."
"Ok, thanks" Harry said as he began walking towards the back of the library.
He heard Parvati shout at his retreating back "No problem!"
Luckily, he spotted Rachel reading a huge book. As he neared, he read the cover 'Ancient & Present Muggle Ceremonies' She was so absorbed in the book that she didn't notice Harry sit beside her.
"Hey." Harry said in a flat voice.
Rachel jumped. Then noticed Harry and smiled at him. "Hey" she said back to him.
"I was wondering if we could, you know, talk." Harry said, feeling very pathetic.
"Umm, sure, if you want." She removed her reading glasses, and looked at Harry.
"You want to talk in here?" Harry asked her.
"Why not?"
"Er, ok." Harry hesitated. "Look, I'm really sorry about earlier."
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such an idiot. I knew that what Ginny and me were doing was wrong. But Harry, I couldn't let her take you away from me. We had to settle it our own way. Wouldn't you do the same if someone wanted to take me away from you?"
"Yes, I would." Harry said. "Look, just promise me that next time you'll try and solve it another way? Because I was really worried about you. I was scared. I don't know what I would do if I lost you, Rachel. I love you."
She looked at him, and their eyes locked. He saw the love in them. The caring. The passion. "I promise," she whispered quietly, as she neared Harry. Harry brought his head towards Rachel and their lips met for a second time. It was the best feeling ever. He didn't want it to end, but it had to, they couldn't kiss in the school library. The librarian would tell them off. So, under the circumstances, they parted.
As their heads drifted away from each other, Harry slowly opened his eyes, and saw Rachel do the same. The look she gave him was so seductive, so passionate, that it made Harry tingle all over. He wanted her, now more than ever. But would she want him back?
"Do you want to go somewhere more, err, private?" He asked her quietly.
"Not now, Harry." She said, putting back her glasses on and returning to the huge, dusty book. She turned to Harry and saw the disappointed look on his face. "I'm sorry. It's just that, with the funeral and all." She trailed off.
"Oh, right." Harry said, feeling stupid. How could he be asking her for passion when her father and half-brother just died? He decided to stick with the subject. "Why exactly are you reading that book?"
"Oh, this?" She asked, taking her eyes away from the book. "Well, the funeral is going to be a muggle one, since they were both muggles, and I'm just reading up on muggle funeral ceremonies, because I have never been to one, or seen one, and I don't want to look like a fool."
"Yeah, good idea." Harry responded. He was just about to ask her if she wanted to take a break and walk around a bit, when a thought struck him. "Wait a minute." He said abruptly. "What about me? I have never been to a muggle funeral either."
"But didn't you grow up with muggles?" Rachel asked, taking her eyes away from the book once again.
"Yes, but I've never been to a funeral. I've seen them in cartoons and stuff, I remember, but never actually experienced it."
"Oh, don't worry about it, there's just a lot of standing around, and praying, and things like that. Don't worry you'll be fine. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you."
"What is it?" Harry asked, as Rachel took out some parchment from her skirt pocket.
"Well, the funeral is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yah." Harry said slowly.
"Well, my mum said that she wants me and you to be there tomorrow."
"Where's there?"
"Well, we're going to be staying at my mother's house in Hogsmeade. And then, the day of the funeral, we're going to get a drive up to London to where the funeral will take place. So we have to pack today. Take whatever you want. It's just going to be a 3 day trip." She paused, and then asked, "You're still coming, right?"
"Yes, of course." Harry said. "I want to be there for you when you need me."
"Thank you, Harry." She pecked him quickly on the lips, and then returned to the huge book.
He didn't want to bother her any more, so Harry decided to go and let Rachel finished reading. "See you later." He whispered to her. She nodded her head that she heard. Harry left the library.
'Hmmm, where am I going to go now? He asked himself. Not back to Ron and Hermione, they might be smooching or something. Hey! I haven't visited Hagrid in a while. I think I'll go and visit him.' As he made his way to Hagrid's cabin, another thought entered his mind. 'Where's Ginny?' "Ginny?" He said to himself. Why on earth is he thinking about Ginny?
And without even noticing it, he changed his direction and headed for the Gryffindor common room.
"Ginny?" He called out as he walked through the portrait hole.
"Harry?" Came a voice from Harry's left side.
Harry turned around and found himself standing face to face with Ginny. What the hell was he thinking? Why the hell was he looking for Ginny? How the hell did thoughts of Ginny start entering his head?
"Err, hey Ginny." Harry said feeling very uncomfortable.
"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked.
"Erm, no, nothing's wrong." Harry answered. He felt himself going slightly red. He felt very embarrassed that he had been looking for Ginny for no reason.
Ginny's look went from curious to confused. "Ok" she said slowly. "Then, what is it? Were you looking for me, or something?"
No, of course I wasn't looking for you, Harry thought to himself. Why would I be looking for you? I was just heading to Hagrid's when I found myself face to face with you. I'm not looking for you. "Have you seen Colin?" Harry asked, thinking fast.
"Oh," Ginny's face went from confused to gloomy. "No, I haven't seen Colin. Sorry, Harry."
"Oh, never mind. I think he's still at breakfast." Harry said, and with that, spun around and left as quickly as he came.
Whoa, that was weird, Harry thought. I have to be careful. But what's wrong with me? Why do I keep thinking about Ginny? I don't even like her, just as a friend. Harry started walking to the entrance hall.
When he got there, he left to go to Hagrid's cabin. He knocked on the door and heard Fangs booming barks. "Comin'" Harry heard Hagrid yell.
A second later, the door opened and there was Hagrid. "Harry!" He said. "Nice ter see yeh! Come in, come in. Just made a pot o tea." He let Harry through.
"Thanks Hagrid. This morning has been crazy. I just want to relax for a while."
"Oh, no problem, Harry." Hagrid beamed. "You know, if yer havin' any problems, I'd be happy ter help, o course."
"Thanks Hagrid." Hagrid poured Harry a cup of tea, and Harry slowly started sipping it. After a while, he decided to tell Hagrid his troubles.
They talked for what seemed like two hours, because when Harry finally left, it was lunchtime. He said goodbye to Hagrid, and made his way to the Great Hall. He spotted Rachel sitting by herself eating an apple and reading the same big book.
"Hey." Harry said as he sat down beside her.
"Oh, hello Harry." She answered without looking up.
It didn't seem like Rachel wanted to talk, so Harry grabbed a goblet of pumpkin juice and drank it. He looked around the Great Hall and spotted Jackie. She was sitting with Chris Moon, and they were laughing. It seemed that they took the break up pretty well. He also noticed that they were holding hands. "Well there's fate for you." Rachel said taking her eyes away from the book and looking at where Harry was staring.
"Yeah." Harry said. "I guess you're right."
Rachel laughed. Then she asked, "Have you started packing yet?"
"No."
"Oh, well, are you going to?"
"Probably."
"I see." She paused. "So, what have you been doing all day?"
"Aren't I supposed to ask you? You're the one with the crystal ball."
Rachel laughed again. "I guess you're right. But crystal gazing isn't as easy as I thought it would be." She sighed. "I was reading up on it, and it's very complex. A lot of meditation is involved."
"Do you think you'd be able to do it, though?"
"Well, I don't know yet. I haven't tried. And with all that has happened, well, one would say that I don't have the time right now." She looked suddenly depressed.
"Yeah, I know." Harry said. He rubbed her back soothingly.
"I asked Hermione if she wanted to look through it, but she said no right away."
It was Harry's turn to laugh. "Hermione? Crystal gaze?"
"Why not?"
"She ditched Divination in third year."
"What?"
Harry laughed at the shocked expression on Rachel's face. "Yeah, it's true. It was funny though."
"Funny? How could ditching class be FUNNY?"
"But it WAS funny." Came Ron's voice. Harry and Rachel turned around and saw Ron and Hermione sit beside them.
"Ron!" Hermione said in a severe voice. "It was NOT funny. But I had to do it. Divination is so stupid. You can barely call it magic."
Ron rolled his eyes at her. Harry laughed. Rachel on the other hand was shocked.
"Excuse me?" She said, standing up. "Divination is NOT stupid."
"It's a very imprecise branch of magic. A lot of guesswork is involved. I work with facts. Things that are true to the last drop." Hermione said, also standing up.
"It may have a lot of guesswork involved, but that's what makes it interesting and unique. It's different and the results are much more satisfying."
"How can you even have ANY results in Divination? It's next to impossible to predict the future because the future can change any second. And I should know, having had the experience with a time-turner."
Now Rachel looked even more shocked. "You've used a time-turner before?"
"Yes, but be quiet. No one is supposed to know."
And just as quickly as their argument had begun, it stopped and they were absorbed in a conversation about time-turners and different instruments to go back in time or to speed up time, or anything to do with time.
Harry and Ron just looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and talked about the latest Quidditch match they had read about in the Daily Prophet.
At the end of the day, Harry walked up to Gryffindor Tower with Ron, Hermione and Rachel. They were all exhausted.
They dragged their feet to a couch and plopped down on it. It was after midnight, and they were soaking wet, tired, and hungry. But at least they were happy.
After lunch they all went down by the lake and just sat by it enjoying the view. Then Ron had an idea to swim in the lake since it was a nice, cool day. So they decided to do it.
They were swimming around the whole day in their school uniforms. But Rachel and Ron had decided to go out further. So they swam around until they got lost.
"Ron, you're so stupid," Harry said, resting his legs on a stool. "You always think of the most stupidest things."
"What?" Ron said. He didn't get up because his feet and arms were hurting from using them all day, "You didn't think it was stupid when I first thought of it."
"Well I didn't know we'd get lost." Harry retorted.
"Why are you only blaming me? Rachel thought of it too." Ron said.
"But unlike you," Harry started, "Rachel thought of a way to get us OUT of the mess."
"Exactly." Hermione added.
"Well, I'm just happy I had my wand. I read about that spell in a book at my house, but I didn't think I'd ever need it."
"Well, thank god you did," Ron said. "Because we would still be there trying to find our way back to the castle."
"I always loved teleporting spells. Even if it is for a short distance." Hermione said.
"Yes, me too," Rachel added. "Good thing I teleported us back to the castle's shoreline."
"Ow," Ron moaned.
"Keep your voice down." Harry hissed. "You don't want to wake any one up. We'd get in shit if anyone found out what happened."
"What is it, Ron?" Hermione asked in a concerned voice.
"My shoulders are hurting like hell. I didn't think we'd be swimming all day." He moaned again.
"I'll give you a massage if you give me a massage?" Hermione said.
"Yes!" Ron shouted.
"Shhh!" Harry, Hermione and Rachel hissed.
"Sorry," Ron whispered.
"I'm cold." Harry said.
"Why don't you dry up?" Rachel asked as Hermione moved towards Ron and started to massage his shoulders. He closed his eyes and moaned, but quietly. Hermione started blushing a little, and didn't look up at Harry and Rachel.
"I'm too lazy to get up and get a towel." Harry answered.
"Harry!" Rachel said as she started to laugh. "Use the drying charm."
"Huh?" Harry asked. "Oh yeah, magic. I forgot." He also laughed. He took out his wand and cast the drying charm. Right away he felt warm all over. He cast the charm on Rachel too. Then he looked over at Ron and Hermione to see if they wanted the drying charm also, but they were too busy to even hear Harry ask them. He turned to Rachel, and they both started to laugh at Ron and Hermione.
"Ahem." Rachel said. "Well, I think we should leave them too it, don't you think, Harry?"
"Yes, I do."
"Oh shit!" Rachel said.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I just remembered. We were supposed to pack!"
"Oh yeah." Harry remembered. "So I guess we have to pack, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess." They were silent for a while. "I'm going to go to bed now. I think I'll just pack early in the morning. We'll head for Hogsmeade whenever you're ready, alright?"
"Yeah, sure." Harry answered. He was wondering if he'd even get a good night kiss.
Rachel got up, and started walking toward the girls' staircase. "Oh, and Harry?" She turned back, walked to him, and kissed him with a deep, passionate kiss. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Was all Harry could say back, he was trying to hold on to the feel of the kiss. When would he be getting another one? Maybe he could get one from Ginny. Ginny? Not again. He was thinking about her again. He was thinking about her during their swim. Why the hell did he keep thinking about her? Harry started to think that maybe there was some kind of magic behind this. Maybe some kind of dark magic?
"Harry?" Rachel asked, and Harry realized that she was still there, and was looking at him. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, why?" Harry asked, trying not to blush.
"You had a, sort of glazed expression on your face, that's all." Rachel mumbled.
"Oh, it's nothing." He chuckled.
"Ok then. Good night." And as Rachel walked past she said quietly "Good night you too, don't stay up to late." Hermione looked at Rachel with a shocked expression, but Rachel just giggled and walked up the staircase. Hermione went back to Ron.
Harry also decided to go to bed.
"G'night Harry" Ron said as he heard Harry walking towards the boys' staircase.
"See you tomorrow, Harry," Hermione squeaked to him.
"Later" Harry said without even looking back at them and missing a good laugh. He wasn't in the mood to laugh. He was in the mood to find out why he kept thinking about Ginny. Did he really like her? Or was it just some kind of spell that someone slipped him?
Would Ginny poison him just to get him? No. That wasn't Ginny. He knew her for four years now, and she wasn't like that. She learned her lesson when she experienced the dark magic in Tom Riddle's diary. She wouldn't do something like this to him. So then, who would? Was it Rachel perhaps? No. How could it be Rachel? She wouldn't poison him. And why would she want Harry to be constantly thinking about Ginny? Unless it was some kind of test. Maybe Rachel was testing Harry, to see how loyal he really is to her. But why would she do that? Doesn't she trust him? Maybe I DO like Ginny? No!!! Of course I don't, stupid thought.
Harry's head was swimming in thoughts when he climbed into bed that night. He forgot all about the next morning and he didn't even remember to pack. He was going to be screwed when he woke up in the morning.
Harry fell into an uneasy sleep. He dreamt of Rachel and Ginny. One wouldn't call them dreams, rather nightmares. He kept waking up in the night drenched in cold sweat.
*
"Rachel, are you still awake?"
She heard a whisper in the dark dormitory, and knew it was Hermione. She had just come in from the common room. It was well past one in the morning, and Rachel still couldn't fall asleep. Too many things were on her mind. She didn't even have time to pack yet. She would have to do it in the morning.
So many things were swimming through her head, and that's why she couldn't fall asleep. The funeral that was supposed to take place the day after tomorrow, where she would be spending the day at her mother's house in Hogsmeade, and Harry. Harry was the thing that took up most of her thoughts. She was so happy that he would be coming with her tomorrow. And that he would be with her at the funeral. He was such a good boyfriend, and she loved him with all of her heart. And she always would.
"Yeah, I'm still awake." Rachel whispered through the darkness towards Hermione's four-poster bed.
"Oh, ok."
"Are you alright, Mione?" Rachel asked.
"Well, yeah, I guess, I dunno. Er, it's about Ron." Hermione whispered.
"Oh, I see." Rachel paused. Here we go again. Then again. How many times had she and Hermione stayed up to talk about their problems? When Rachel was having trouble with Harry, Hermione was always there listening and giving advice. And when Hermione had trouble with Chris and now Ron, or just wanted to talk about them, there was Rachel, listening. They had so many "girl talks" as one would call them. But they weren't all about boys. They had also talked about their feelings, their dreams, their passions, and goals and just plain life. Hermione really was a great friend. So it was time to repay her. "Mione, why don't you come over to my bed, and we'll talk about it."
Rachel heard a squeak of excitement from Hermione, and then she heard her get off the bed and slowly tip toe her way to Rachel's four-poster. They were going to have another one of their discussions. She wondered if Parvati and Lavender were going to listen, as they did before, or go to each other's beds and have their own discussion.
When Hermione sat down on Rachel's bed, Rachel could just barely make out her face.
"Light one of those fires, again." Rachel whispered.
"Oh, right." Hermione grabbed her wand, muttered an incantation, and there, right in front of their eyes materialized a small fireball with bright white and blue flames. Hermione had once told her that she was skilled in making these flames, and they had used them as a source of light ever since.
"Make it a bit dimmer," Rachel said, "Because you might wake up Parvati or Lavender, and we know what a shame that would be." They both laughed at Rachel's sarcasm. But Hermione dimmed the light from the fire anyways.
Rachel looked around at the other two four-poster beds and saw that both Parvati and Lavender had their eyes open, and were whispering to each other across the room. Parvati looked up and saw that Rachel was looking at her. She rolled her eyes at her, looked away, and motioned for Lavender to come sit beside her.
Rachel rolled her eyes too. Oh, how she hated Parvati. She was such a slut. But that's not the reason why she hated her. Rachel hated Parvati because Parvati was after her man, Harry. She knew Parvati liked Harry ever since last year, when he took her to the Yule Ball. But Rachel knew that Harry didn't like Parvati. But she couldn't help seeing Parvati flirting with Harry at every possible moment. It made Rachel want to curse her into a million pieces. It made her want to.kill her. But that was just the jealousy. And Rachel couldn't sink that low and be jealous. She just pretended like she didn't care, and went on living her life, with Harry.
"Rachel, are you listening? RACHEL!" Hermione shouted. Parvati and Lavender looked over at Hermione, whispered something, and then went back to their conversation.
"Oh, sorry, Mione, I wasn't listening. What was that?" Rachel said, snapping back to reality.
"Well," Hermione started, they didn't have to whisper anymore because the others were awake too, "I was saying something, and I saw a glazed expression on your face, and I knew you weren't listening. So I said that Harry was a lying, cheating son of a bitch and when you didn't say anything, I KNEW that you weren't listening." Hermione smiled.
"OH! You bitch!" Rachel said. She pounced at Hermione, but Hermione was already ready. She took the pillow in her hand and whacked it right at Rachel's face. Rachel was hit by the pillow, but seized another one, and hit Hermione across the face.
"I'll get you for that one," Hermione said, and she took a bunch of Rachel's hair and tugged at it.
Rachel howled in pain. She stole Hermione's pillow, took hers in her hand, and whacked Hermione with two pillows across her face. Hermione screamed and fell off the bed. Parvati and Lavender were watching them and howling with laughter.
Rachel stood up on her bed, held her hands up into the air, and took a bow. "Yes, I win!" She shouted. Hermione immerged from the floor, looked at Rachel, and they both exploded with giggles.
When they finished, they fixed the mess they had made, and sat back down on Rachel's bed. "I'll get you next time," Hermione muttered to herself, which made them both laugh.
"I doubt it." Rachel retorted. "Hmm, let's see." Rachel said to herself, but knew Hermione was listening. "How many have I won in a row so far?" She ticked them off on her fingers. "HA! I won 6 in a row so far. Tsk, tsk, Hermione, are you going to break my winning streak any time soon?"
"Oh, shut up." Hermione said, and they laughed once more.
"Anyways, what were we going to talk about?" Rachel asked, going serious. She wasn't sleepy anymore. Whenever her and Hermione had these little night parties, she was never sleepy. She could go on till dawn talking with her.
"Well, Ron." Hermione said. She didn't blush or anything, because she was used to talking with Rachel about this kind of stuff.
"Ok, what seems to be wrong?" Rachel asked. "You guys seem happy enough."
"Well, we are happy." Hermione said brightly. "But."
"There's always a but, isn't there." Hermione nodded her head.
"Er, me and Ron are really happy, you know that. But, well, I feel like I haven't been giving him enough, you know." Hermione trailed off.
"You mean."
"Yeah, I think Ron wants.sex" She whispered the last word so Parvati and Lavender couldn't hear.
"Oh," Rachel said. "Wow, this IS serious." She took out her wand, summoned two glasses of milk, and gave one to Hermione and one to herself. "Ok, Mione, go on."
"Well, me and Ron love each other very much. But I feel as if I'm not fully committing myself to him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we kiss and stuff, and we've gone pretty far already, but I'm not sure if I want to go -" she hesitated, "All the way."
"Do you want to?"
"Yes. No. I don't know." Hermione looked miserable.
"Ok, does he want it?"
"He said that if I'm ready, then yes."
"Are you ready?"
"That's what I don't know."
Rachel looked at her friend. "Mione, if you don't think you're ready, then don't do it. But if you're positive, well, I would still hesitate. Sex is a really important thing. And if you're SURE, absolutely sure you want to do it, well, that's your choice. But me, I'm not going to do it unless I know it's with someone special, someone I love with all of my heart, some one like."
"Harry?" Hermione said.
"Yeah, someone like, Harry." Rachel smiled, she really was lucky to have someone like Harry.
"So you think he's the one?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I'm not really sure yet. I mean, I love him and all, but sex is a big step. I'm not sure if I'm ready to take it yet."
"Does he want it?"
"No. Well, I don't really know. Actually, maybe he does. Then again. We haven't talked about it yet. Have you and Ron talked about it?"
"Yes, we have. That's why I came to talk to you and-"
"What the hell are you looking at?" Rachel snapped. Hermione turned around and saw that Rachel was talking to Parvati and Lavender. "Why the hell are you listening to our private conversation?"
Lavender looked scared, but Parvati got up and said, "I can listen to whatever I want, whenever I want." She said it in a rude, bossy voice.
"Not while I'm around!" Rachel said. She whipped out her want, muttered and incantation and out came beautiful music. It shot out of her wand, and hit Parvati and Lavender.
Parvati looked like she was about to cry. She was holding her ears, and her mouth looked as if she was screaming, but nothing came out. As soon as the spell hit them, the music stopped.
"Rachel!" Hermione shrieked. "What did you do?"
"Well, they were listening to our conversation, and I didn't want them to hear, so I put a deaf charm on them. All they are going to hear until I take the charm off is that music. Oh, and they cant speak, either." She grinned evilly.
"Umm, ok." Hermione looked at Parvati and Lavender, they were sitting on the floor holding their ears, and rocking backwards and forwards. They looked like psycho people.
"Anyways, you were saying?" Rachel said to Hermione.
"Oh yeah, well, I want to make Ron happy. And I think that I will make him happy by making love to him."
"Hermione, will it make YOU happy?"
Hermione stayed quiet for a while. It looked like she was thinking. She finally answered. "Yes, it would make me happy because I love Ron, I love him like I've never loved anyone. I think he's special, and I know he thinks I'm special. He's the one, Rach. I can feel it. Every time I'm with him, something about him makes me feel.all warm and tingly inside. He's defiantly the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. And he's definitely the person I want to lose my virginity too, if to anyone."
Rachel beamed at Hermione. "You got it, girl!" She hugged Hermione very tightly. "You know what I just realized?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"The next time we talk like this again, you might not be a virgin!" They both laughed.
"So, what about you, Rachel?" Hermione questioned. "Do you think you're going to take that step?"
Rachel looked at her lap. Would she? Would Harry? Is Harry the right one? Does he even love her the way she loves him? Yes, he does love her. He told her so. She saw the love in his eyes. The way he kissed, with such passion and understanding showed that he loved her. Maybe she would lose her virginity to him. But sex is such a big step. Am I ready? Is he? Maybe it's not right. Maybe he's not the one. Maybe he's not the right one. Maybe, maybe, maybe. All these maybes. I need fact! Good old pure fact!
Maybe we should talk. Just Harry and me. Talk about our relationship, where it's going. Is it serious? Serious enough? And there was also Ginny. She kept interfering with her and Harry. She really loves Harry. What if Harry starts liking her, and not me? But I know that he loves me, and if he starts falling for Ginny, I'll know. Hopefully.
"I don't know, Mione." Rachel finally said. "I really don't."
"I know how you feel." Hermione said.
They stayed silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts. They barley even touched their glasses of milk. But finally, Rachel spoke. "Me and Harry are going to be together for the next couple of days, right? For the funeral or whatever. So I guess I'll just have to talk to him then." She said this more to herself that to Hermione.
"You do that." Hermione said in a calm, soothing voice. "I really hope it works out. But if you want my opinion, Harry's never looked the same way at another girl as he looks at you. He loves you. And you love him back. I know he's not that used to being loved, because he never knew his parents, but I think you fulfill that duty just right. You give him the right amount of love. You taught him how to love, and how to be loved. I think that's really extraordinary."
Rachel beamed at her. "Mione, I think you're right." Rachel said. She felt better now. "I keep forgetting that he never knew his parents. It must be really sad. Then again, I never knew my real father, well, considering whom it is, I don't think I WANT to know him. So I guess we're kind of on the same boat. But what are we doing? Pitying Harry. He told me that he didn't want me to pity him, and I'm not going to. I love him for who he is. And he loves me for who I am. That's a perfect relationship!"
"Yes. You're right!" They looked at each other, and hugged again.
Hermione yawned. "I'm getting kinda tired. You wanna call it a night?"
"Yeah, I think so." Rachel responded. Hermione made the fire she conjured disappear and crawled into bed. Rachel was about to blow out the candles that Parvati and Lavender lit when she remembered something. "Woops! I forgot to do the counter curse on those two idiots!" Rachel said, pointing at Parvati and Lavender.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about them too." Hermione said. "Meh! Just leave them like that till morning." She grinned evilly.
Rachel shrugged. "Whatever." And they went to sleep.
Rachel dreamed about Harry, and Hermione dreamed about Ron. But what Rachel didn't know was what Harry was dreaming about.
*
Harry was running through a forest. Rachel was chasing him. He was running as fast as he could, when suddenly he bumped into somebody. A red-haired somebody.
"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry?" Ginny asked.
All of a sudden, the forest was a blur. Harry could no longer see the trees, or Rachel running after him, calling his name. He didn't even know why he was running from Rachel. Why would he run from her? He loved her. Was he running from love?
The forest disappeared, and Harry found himself in a dimly lit room. There was a bed in the middle, and candles were lit all around it. He also noticed that Ginny was with him.
"C'mon, Harry." Ginny said in a sexy, seductive voice that Harry couldn't help but get a tingle from. She took his hand, and led him to the bed.
Next thing he knew, Ginny was kissing Harry, and was unbuttoning his shirt. Harry found himself playing along. He took off Ginny's shirt and skirt, and she was left in her bra and hot pink thong. He liked her this way.
"You'll like me more better when I'm on top of you." Ginny said, as if she was reading his thoughts. Harry smiled at her. She took off his pants. She pushed him onto the bed. Harry couldn't help himself; he ripped off her thong, and undid her bra. There she was. Ginny, naked, beautiful and on top of him.
She slowly took off his boxers. Now they were both naked. And before Harry could do anything about it, Ginny forced him into her. Harry liked the feeling, it was wonderful, but it wasn't there yet. He switched places with her, and now he was on the top. He forced himself to go deeper, deeper, deeper.
*
Harry smiled in his sleep.
A/N: there u have it.hehe.too bad if u don't like the sex part, lol..im not exactly writing from experience, cuz I haff none, OY!! Y am I telling u? shoot.lol..n e whoo, review pls, and again, I AM NON-EXPERIENCED SO THAT's Y THE SEX PART SUX!! BITE ME!!! Ahem, yes, oh, and if u want, go check out my site, it has a couple pix from this fanfic, and other hp fanart, so yea!! Kk...r/r!! Thx so much, byeZ!!
- F e o n I X