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Its been three days since the previous article was printed, three days since Hermione realized she had more than friendly feelings for one of her best friends, and for the last three days she has been stuck in her flat with him. She wasn't upset that they were stuck in a flat together, in fact she was delighted that she got to spend more time with Harry, but she hated that she was stuck. She wanted to help out in the shop, go for a walk, she would even go visit Draco Malfoy if it meant she got to leave the flat.
Hermione wasn't the only one who was getting restless. Harry was too. He felt like he was in a cage. He didn't mind being in Hermione's flat with her. It gave him a chance to make sure she was okay and to just be near her. He started noticing the little things about her, like the way she hummed while she washed the dishes and how she would sing silly muggle songs in the shower the he didn't know. This morning she was singing something about giveing people something to talk about.
Harry spent a lot of him time thinking about the thing he liked about Hermione. He was confused of why he was thinking about her so much, but ignored it because he like the way he felt when he did think about her. He liked thinking about her so much that it was all he could do. He woke up thinking about her, he feel asleep thinking about her and even dreamed about her. Never in his life had he had one person but Voldemourt consume all his thoughts. It scared him at first. He couldn't decide what to do with all these new thoughts. What did they mean? And watch was he going to do about them? Harry dismissed the questions and went to join Hermione for lunch.
The to where enjoying a nice lunch stealing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking when they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Harry? Hermione? Can you let us in please?" Ron said
"We've got some interesting new for you." they heard Mr. Lovegod say as Harry walked across the flat to open the door.
Harry let the three in and they all walked in to the small sitting room where Hermione was already waiting for them.
"So what did you find out?" Hermione asked eagerly as they all sat down. Harry took the place next to Hermione. She smiled at him and looked back over at Mr.Lovegod.
"Well it seams that the daily Prophet did have the rights to anything about you, I am not sure how but it seams that someone named Peter Pettigrew sold them the right to it. Do you know this person?"
Harry was furious at the mention of Peter's name. He felt Hermione grab his hand as she spoke. "We do. He was the name that betrayed Harry's parents and led Voldemourt to them the night they died."
"Now I understand."
"Understand what?" Harry said trying to keep his anger down.
"Why someone would do what he did. The contract that he made was made so he got a large sum of money each year as well as a even large sum when a article came out about you."
"But he is dead now. I saw Lupin kill him." Harry said as Hermione squeezed his hand giving him the support he needed talking about this subject.
"The contract was made the night before your parents where killed." Luna said looking at Hermione and Harry's entwined hands trying to keep her smile back.
"Is there anything we can do about it now? How was he able to sell the right to Harry's life?"
"I am not sure how the contracts works but it was legal."
"Was?" Harry asked Mr. Lovegod.
"Yes. The Quibbler bought the contract from the Prophet this morning." he said with a smile. "Miss Chang has to write a retraction in tomorrow edition of the Prophet as well an a public apology to both of you next week in front of our office."
"This is good Harry. At least we know they won't publish anything untrue." Ron said trying to bring the mood up some.
"Good?" Harry yelled. " How is it good Ron? How would you feel to know that a news paper has the right to your life. They have the right to publish what ever they please about me!"
"I know you are upset Harry but in the new contract the only person who can write anything about you is Luna and she has to consult with you before she does print anything." Mr. Lovegod said looking at Harry whose face was now bright red. He glanced at Hermione who now had her arms around harry holding him close to her and he could see she was whispering comforting words into his ear.
"Harry" Luna said pulling him and Hermione out of the comforting world they are in when they are in each others arms. "I don't plan on ever writing anything about you unless you want me to."
Harry looked at the three and then back at Hermione. She gave him a weak smile that made the butterflies in his stomach come back. He looked back at Mr. Lovegod and said " Thank you sir. I'm sorry I yelled. Its just... well.... "
"Its okay Harry." Mr. Lovegod interrupted. "I know it can't be easy for you or Hermione. But things will get better soon. You don't have to worry about anyone sneaking around taking your pictures"
"How do you know that?" Hermione asked. "You can't stop people from doing what they did."
"I know I can't, but you have my word that no one from my paper will be following you, and I am pretty sure no one from the prophet will either."
"How did they get in my flat?" Hermione asked looking around the room.
"Miss Chang and her photographer have invisibility cloaks. They followed you up after you closed the shop the other night and followed Harry out when he left."
"How did you find this all out? I can't see Cho willingly telling you all this." Harry asked squeezing Hermione's hand.
Mr.Lovegod smiled and laughed. "Its amazing what someone will tell you when they are given a little dose of Veritaserum."
"That how you did it dad? I can't believe you gave that to her! What will the ministry say? What if they send you to Azkaban for using it! You know you can't use it with out concent from the ministry." Luna said to her dad.
"Its okay Luna. He got permission from my dad to do it." Ron said with a smile. "Its good to have a boyfriend or friend whose father just happens to be the Minister of Magic. You can get away with all kinds of things." Ron said
Harry and Hermione nervously laughed at Ron's comment as they though back to their years at Hogwarts when they got away with almost anything, especially after Mr. Weasley was promoted to the minister of magic at the beginning of their sixth year.
"Well I must be going. There is much to be done with the contract." Mr. Lovegod said getting up from his chair and walking towards the door followed by Ron, Luna, Harry and Hermione. " I suggest you stay here one more night Harry. After the retraction is out it will be safe for you to walk about freely, but I am sure you will still have your normal crowd around you."
"Thank you sir." he said and offered his hand to him.
Mr.Lovegod took his hand in his and gave it a firm shake. "Your welcome. Have a good night and I will see you next week at the apology. Hermione you may want to wait a few days before you return to work. Ron, Luna and Ginny have been doing a good job taking care of it for you."
Hermione smiled at him before he turned to Luna and Ron. " You tow have a good night as well. Luna I would like you back at the office on Monday."
Luna hugged her dad "I will be dad." and kissed him on the check.
"Thank you again sir." Harry said as the man walked out the door and down the stairs.
Ron and Luna stayed for a few more minutes after Mr.Lovegod left before they returned to help Ginny down at the shop leaving Harry and Hermione alone again.
Harry smiled at Hermione as she went into the kitchen to clean up theier lunch dishes. Harry followed her and sat down at the table to watch and talk to her.
"So this will our last night together." Harry said.
Hermione sighed. She was going to miss having him here. "Looks like it." she said as she started washing the plates and humming softly to her self.
Harry smiled when he heard her humming. " I'm sorry you've had to be stuck with me."
Hermione stopped watching the dish and turned around to look at him. "Harry there is no one I would rather be stuck with than you." As soon as she said that she could feel the color rise in her checks and quickly turned around.
Harry raised his eyebrow at her and smiled. The butterflies where back. "umm thanks. I think I am going to go lay down for awhile."
Hermione nodded her head to him, but never turned around because she knew she face was still red. She heard Harry get up from the table, walk down the hallway and close the door to the guest room. Hermione sighed and returned to washing the dishes.
When Harry entered his room he flopped down on his bed landing on his stomach. He barried his face into the pillow. What was he going to do? He didn't want to leave, he loved living with Hermione. Always having her near when he needed her. What he couldn't figure out is why he wanted to be near her? Why did she always give him butterflies in his stomach whenever she was near, why was she consuming his thoughts constantly. He could tell things were off with Hermione as well, she always seamed to by right there when he was moving around the flat, its not that he was complaing, but almost like she wanted to be near him as well. Did she know something he didn't? Was she trying to protect him from something? Or did she just want to be near him as well? Did she have feelings for him? Feelings?
"Oh Merlin" Harry said into the pillow. "I think I am in love with my best friend." he groaned.
What was he going to do now? How come he didn't see it before. The way she made him feel when they where together, the butterflies that never seamed to leave. The way his skin burned when they touched. They way everyone else seam to disappear from the room when she was around. How could he be so stupid to not see it. How long has he felt this way?
Harry began to think about there years of friendship. He never remembered feelings this way towards her during school. She was just his friend. His best friend. The only one who ever understood him and knew when he needed someone and when he didn't.
He began thinking about the few years they have been out of school. He never got these feelings for her when she asked to help him buy the shop, even though he was happy about it ; it wasn't the same feeling. Then he though about the first article and how he looked at the picture of them al the time. Then it hit him. The first article was when he started having feelings for her.
"What am I going to do!" he said as he rolled over to lay on his back.
"Harry are you okay?" he heard Hermione say from the other side of the door.
"Yeah I am." he said with a smile. She always looked after him.
"Are you sure? I mean with everything that has been going on and that contracts." she said. She knew he wasn't okay, and she wanted to talk to him. "Harry can I come in? I feel silly talking to the door."
Harry smiled. "You didn't have to ask to come in. Its your house."
Hermione opened the door and walked in. "Well I didn't know what you where doing. I didn't want to have another bath tub incident." she said with a smile.
"Hermione I said I was sorry about that! I didn't know you where in there."
Hermione sat down next to him on the bed letting her leg brush up against his. "I know. I was just kidding."
Harry could feel his skin burning as her leg rubbed up against his. "Oh." he said trying to concentrate on the conversation and not the fact that he just wanted to grab Hermione and kiss her. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he couldn't. He would wreck there friendship. He couldn't lose her.
Hermione smiled at Harry as she watched him shift uncomfortably around the bed trying to get comfortable. She knew she shouldn't be in the bed next to him, and she shouldn't of rubbed her leg against his, but she couldn't help it. She just loved being next to him. "Harry are you really okay? You look a little upset."
"No I'm not upset." he said, what he really wanted to say was that he loved her and never wanted to be without. "I guess I'm a little tired. I haven't been getting enough sleep." as he tried to shift someone to get away from her touch, but every timer he did she would move her leg to keep it next to him. ' Is she doing this on purpose?' he though to himself and gave up on moving his leg away from her and let it lay next to hers.
Hermione smiled. "Do you want me to let you get some sleep?" she asked hoping he didn't want her to leave.
"No.... you can stay if you would like." he said trying not to sound desperate to keeping her near him.
"Are you sure?" she asked while she snuggled up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Harry swallowed hard. "Not at all." he said and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.
Hermione let out a sigh of content as she closer her eyes. He drew in a deep breath and took in his scent.
Harry laid his head on top of her bushy brown hair and smiled. This felt right to him. They fit perfectly together he though as he closed his eyes and drifted off in to sleep.
Its been three days since the previous article was printed, three days since Hermione realized she had more than friendly feelings for one of her best friends, and for the last three days she has been stuck in her flat with him. She wasn't upset that they were stuck in a flat together, in fact she was delighted that she got to spend more time with Harry, but she hated that she was stuck. She wanted to help out in the shop, go for a walk, she would even go visit Draco Malfoy if it meant she got to leave the flat.
Hermione wasn't the only one who was getting restless. Harry was too. He felt like he was in a cage. He didn't mind being in Hermione's flat with her. It gave him a chance to make sure she was okay and to just be near her. He started noticing the little things about her, like the way she hummed while she washed the dishes and how she would sing silly muggle songs in the shower the he didn't know. This morning she was singing something about giveing people something to talk about.
Harry spent a lot of him time thinking about the thing he liked about Hermione. He was confused of why he was thinking about her so much, but ignored it because he like the way he felt when he did think about her. He liked thinking about her so much that it was all he could do. He woke up thinking about her, he feel asleep thinking about her and even dreamed about her. Never in his life had he had one person but Voldemourt consume all his thoughts. It scared him at first. He couldn't decide what to do with all these new thoughts. What did they mean? And watch was he going to do about them? Harry dismissed the questions and went to join Hermione for lunch.
The to where enjoying a nice lunch stealing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking when they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Harry? Hermione? Can you let us in please?" Ron said
"We've got some interesting new for you." they heard Mr. Lovegod say as Harry walked across the flat to open the door.
Harry let the three in and they all walked in to the small sitting room where Hermione was already waiting for them.
"So what did you find out?" Hermione asked eagerly as they all sat down. Harry took the place next to Hermione. She smiled at him and looked back over at Mr.Lovegod.
"Well it seams that the daily Prophet did have the rights to anything about you, I am not sure how but it seams that someone named Peter Pettigrew sold them the right to it. Do you know this person?"
Harry was furious at the mention of Peter's name. He felt Hermione grab his hand as she spoke. "We do. He was the name that betrayed Harry's parents and led Voldemourt to them the night they died."
"Now I understand."
"Understand what?" Harry said trying to keep his anger down.
"Why someone would do what he did. The contract that he made was made so he got a large sum of money each year as well as a even large sum when a article came out about you."
"But he is dead now. I saw Lupin kill him." Harry said as Hermione squeezed his hand giving him the support he needed talking about this subject.
"The contract was made the night before your parents where killed." Luna said looking at Hermione and Harry's entwined hands trying to keep her smile back.
"Is there anything we can do about it now? How was he able to sell the right to Harry's life?"
"I am not sure how the contracts works but it was legal."
"Was?" Harry asked Mr. Lovegod.
"Yes. The Quibbler bought the contract from the Prophet this morning." he said with a smile. "Miss Chang has to write a retraction in tomorrow edition of the Prophet as well an a public apology to both of you next week in front of our office."
"This is good Harry. At least we know they won't publish anything untrue." Ron said trying to bring the mood up some.
"Good?" Harry yelled. " How is it good Ron? How would you feel to know that a news paper has the right to your life. They have the right to publish what ever they please about me!"
"I know you are upset Harry but in the new contract the only person who can write anything about you is Luna and she has to consult with you before she does print anything." Mr. Lovegod said looking at Harry whose face was now bright red. He glanced at Hermione who now had her arms around harry holding him close to her and he could see she was whispering comforting words into his ear.
"Harry" Luna said pulling him and Hermione out of the comforting world they are in when they are in each others arms. "I don't plan on ever writing anything about you unless you want me to."
Harry looked at the three and then back at Hermione. She gave him a weak smile that made the butterflies in his stomach come back. He looked back at Mr. Lovegod and said " Thank you sir. I'm sorry I yelled. Its just... well.... "
"Its okay Harry." Mr. Lovegod interrupted. "I know it can't be easy for you or Hermione. But things will get better soon. You don't have to worry about anyone sneaking around taking your pictures"
"How do you know that?" Hermione asked. "You can't stop people from doing what they did."
"I know I can't, but you have my word that no one from my paper will be following you, and I am pretty sure no one from the prophet will either."
"How did they get in my flat?" Hermione asked looking around the room.
"Miss Chang and her photographer have invisibility cloaks. They followed you up after you closed the shop the other night and followed Harry out when he left."
"How did you find this all out? I can't see Cho willingly telling you all this." Harry asked squeezing Hermione's hand.
Mr.Lovegod smiled and laughed. "Its amazing what someone will tell you when they are given a little dose of Veritaserum."
"That how you did it dad? I can't believe you gave that to her! What will the ministry say? What if they send you to Azkaban for using it! You know you can't use it with out concent from the ministry." Luna said to her dad.
"Its okay Luna. He got permission from my dad to do it." Ron said with a smile. "Its good to have a boyfriend or friend whose father just happens to be the Minister of Magic. You can get away with all kinds of things." Ron said
Harry and Hermione nervously laughed at Ron's comment as they though back to their years at Hogwarts when they got away with almost anything, especially after Mr. Weasley was promoted to the minister of magic at the beginning of their sixth year.
"Well I must be going. There is much to be done with the contract." Mr. Lovegod said getting up from his chair and walking towards the door followed by Ron, Luna, Harry and Hermione. " I suggest you stay here one more night Harry. After the retraction is out it will be safe for you to walk about freely, but I am sure you will still have your normal crowd around you."
"Thank you sir." he said and offered his hand to him.
Mr.Lovegod took his hand in his and gave it a firm shake. "Your welcome. Have a good night and I will see you next week at the apology. Hermione you may want to wait a few days before you return to work. Ron, Luna and Ginny have been doing a good job taking care of it for you."
Hermione smiled at him before he turned to Luna and Ron. " You tow have a good night as well. Luna I would like you back at the office on Monday."
Luna hugged her dad "I will be dad." and kissed him on the check.
"Thank you again sir." Harry said as the man walked out the door and down the stairs.
Ron and Luna stayed for a few more minutes after Mr.Lovegod left before they returned to help Ginny down at the shop leaving Harry and Hermione alone again.
Harry smiled at Hermione as she went into the kitchen to clean up theier lunch dishes. Harry followed her and sat down at the table to watch and talk to her.
"So this will our last night together." Harry said.
Hermione sighed. She was going to miss having him here. "Looks like it." she said as she started washing the plates and humming softly to her self.
Harry smiled when he heard her humming. " I'm sorry you've had to be stuck with me."
Hermione stopped watching the dish and turned around to look at him. "Harry there is no one I would rather be stuck with than you." As soon as she said that she could feel the color rise in her checks and quickly turned around.
Harry raised his eyebrow at her and smiled. The butterflies where back. "umm thanks. I think I am going to go lay down for awhile."
Hermione nodded her head to him, but never turned around because she knew she face was still red. She heard Harry get up from the table, walk down the hallway and close the door to the guest room. Hermione sighed and returned to washing the dishes.
When Harry entered his room he flopped down on his bed landing on his stomach. He barried his face into the pillow. What was he going to do? He didn't want to leave, he loved living with Hermione. Always having her near when he needed her. What he couldn't figure out is why he wanted to be near her? Why did she always give him butterflies in his stomach whenever she was near, why was she consuming his thoughts constantly. He could tell things were off with Hermione as well, she always seamed to by right there when he was moving around the flat, its not that he was complaing, but almost like she wanted to be near him as well. Did she know something he didn't? Was she trying to protect him from something? Or did she just want to be near him as well? Did she have feelings for him? Feelings?
"Oh Merlin" Harry said into the pillow. "I think I am in love with my best friend." he groaned.
What was he going to do now? How come he didn't see it before. The way she made him feel when they where together, the butterflies that never seamed to leave. The way his skin burned when they touched. They way everyone else seam to disappear from the room when she was around. How could he be so stupid to not see it. How long has he felt this way?
Harry began to think about there years of friendship. He never remembered feelings this way towards her during school. She was just his friend. His best friend. The only one who ever understood him and knew when he needed someone and when he didn't.
He began thinking about the few years they have been out of school. He never got these feelings for her when she asked to help him buy the shop, even though he was happy about it ; it wasn't the same feeling. Then he though about the first article and how he looked at the picture of them al the time. Then it hit him. The first article was when he started having feelings for her.
"What am I going to do!" he said as he rolled over to lay on his back.
"Harry are you okay?" he heard Hermione say from the other side of the door.
"Yeah I am." he said with a smile. She always looked after him.
"Are you sure? I mean with everything that has been going on and that contracts." she said. She knew he wasn't okay, and she wanted to talk to him. "Harry can I come in? I feel silly talking to the door."
Harry smiled. "You didn't have to ask to come in. Its your house."
Hermione opened the door and walked in. "Well I didn't know what you where doing. I didn't want to have another bath tub incident." she said with a smile.
"Hermione I said I was sorry about that! I didn't know you where in there."
Hermione sat down next to him on the bed letting her leg brush up against his. "I know. I was just kidding."
Harry could feel his skin burning as her leg rubbed up against his. "Oh." he said trying to concentrate on the conversation and not the fact that he just wanted to grab Hermione and kiss her. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he couldn't. He would wreck there friendship. He couldn't lose her.
Hermione smiled at Harry as she watched him shift uncomfortably around the bed trying to get comfortable. She knew she shouldn't be in the bed next to him, and she shouldn't of rubbed her leg against his, but she couldn't help it. She just loved being next to him. "Harry are you really okay? You look a little upset."
"No I'm not upset." he said, what he really wanted to say was that he loved her and never wanted to be without. "I guess I'm a little tired. I haven't been getting enough sleep." as he tried to shift someone to get away from her touch, but every timer he did she would move her leg to keep it next to him. ' Is she doing this on purpose?' he though to himself and gave up on moving his leg away from her and let it lay next to hers.
Hermione smiled. "Do you want me to let you get some sleep?" she asked hoping he didn't want her to leave.
"No.... you can stay if you would like." he said trying not to sound desperate to keeping her near him.
"Are you sure?" she asked while she snuggled up next to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Harry swallowed hard. "Not at all." he said and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.
Hermione let out a sigh of content as she closer her eyes. He drew in a deep breath and took in his scent.
Harry laid his head on top of her bushy brown hair and smiled. This felt right to him. They fit perfectly together he though as he closed his eyes and drifted off in to sleep.