One More Chance
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. That honor belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Hey everybody! I'm back with the 2nd chapter and thank you for all the great reviews. I'm really happy that you liked the plot of my story and hope you like this chapter too. Oh and before I forget I just want to let you know that Harry has a lot of dark thoughts in this chapter. He also loses temper quite often just like in the 5th book. (OotP) Hermione also begins to question the way she feels about Harry and…ok I better stop before I spoil what's going to happen. Okay gone and read the story…hehe.
PS Remember this a Drama/Romance fic and trust me there's a lot of drama in this chapter. So please don't get mad at me.
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I heard Hermione squeal and I walked over to the portrait hole, which was where she was.
"Hermione, who's at the door?" I questioned and turned towards the entrance of the portrait hole. I saw the least unexpected person standing there. "Krum!" I yelled in astonishment.
"Hello Harry." Krum said and smiled grimly at me.
I narrowed my eyes at him and glared coldly at him. I stalked over to Hermione's side and he stared at me with innocent eyes.
"Vat's vrong Harry/" he asked.
You're the problem that's what! You interrupted my second opportunity to kiss Hermione! I thought, but didn't say this, instead I replied; "Nothing."
"Oh. Okay I thought you vere going to be sick Harry." Krum said. "You looked sort of sick by the vay you vere looking at me."
I sniggered at him and looked away in embarrassment, but in the corner of my eye I saw Hermione looking back and fort between Krum and me. I glanced at Hermione and could tell that she was angry at the way I was acting but when I met her gaze she avoided me and turned in the other direction and spoke to Krum.
"So Viktor what are you doing here?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"First, vay I come in Herm-own-ninny?" Krum asked politely.
"Of course Viktor how rude of me not to invite you in." Hermione said, flushed. "Come in."
She stepped aside and Krum proceeded in.
"Let's sit by the fireplace." Hermione suggested and led Krum to the couch. I followed the two of them and decided to remain standing while they sat down.
"So what are you doing here Viktor?" Hermione repeated.
"That's what I'd liked to know." I said coldly.
Hermione looked at me with a confused expression on her face.
"Umm… any way what are you doing here Viktor?" She asked sweetly.
Krum smiled at her and spoke.
"Yes. The reason I came her vas to tell you that I'll be going vith you?"
"Going where?" Both Hermione and I said at the same time.
"On your trip of course." Krum said proudly.
"What do you mean Viktor?" Hermione asked.
"Oh. Dumbledore didn't tell you yet, I suppose. Vell, I might as vell tell you now because you vill know sooner or later." Krum said. "Vhen you're at the island during your N.E.W.T.S. you vill be judged throughout most of the time you're there."
"So you're saying we're being watched?" Hermione said. Krum nodded at her question and laughed.
"Vell of course. How else can they grade you, without vatching how vell you do in action." Krum replied.
"How are they going to watch us?" Hermione said curiously.
"They cast a spell on the island vith secret invisible cameras, so they could vatch your every movement on the island, except there's no cameras in your cabins and in the bathrooms for privacy purposes." He answered.
"So where do you come to play in all of this? I said rudely.
"I thought you'd figure it out by now." Krum said mockingly towards me, but Hermione didn't notice and began to speak again.
"Are you going to be watching us Viktor?" She said.
"Yes. I'm going to be one of the judges vatching all of you and I'm also going to help you vatch premise."
"I don't think it's necessary for you to help me watch the island Viktor. After all I have Harry with me to help me out. As you know we're both Head Boy and Head Girl." Hermione said.
"I am vell aware of that Herm-own-ninny but Dumbledore has still asked me to help the two of you out."
"Why'd Professor Dumbledore ask you to be a judge." I asked snobbishly.
"Harry don't be rude." Hermione said and I began to blush in embarrassment.
"Vell, honestly I don't know vhy Dumbledore chose me to be a judge but vhen I remembered it vas your year to take the N.E.W.T.S. So I said yes cause I haven't seen you in such a long time and I vanted to spend some time vith you again."
I saw Hermione's eyes light up at this remark and she smiled kindly at him. Krum smiled back and I frowned at the two of them.
"You would take any job if Hermione was there or you would do anything for her if it was related to her in any way." I said rudely.
Hermione shot an angry look at me and spoke. "Yes. It is flattering that you would do that for me Viktor." She announced and grasped Krum's hand when I was looking at the two of them. Hermione gave his hand a small squeeze and he squeezed back. I scowled at the sight of the two of them and felt my heart being crushed.
How could she do that? Just less than a half an hour ago we almost kissed. It feels like she's cheating on me but the thing is we aren't together and she does have the right to do what ever she wants to. Yet, it still hurts so much to watch them but I don't want her to see that her actions are effecting me.
"So you've taken an interest in Pinnocio." I said mockingly, and instantly regretted those words the moment they came out of my mouth.
I watched as Hermione's jaw dropped and she dangerously narrowed her eyes at me. She stood up from the couch and spoke to Krum whom was covering up his long, crooked nose with his hand. "Excuse me Viktor." She said. "Harry may I speak with you?"
"Why don't you say, what you have to say to me, in front of Krum?" I said without thinking.
"I want to speak to you in private." Hermione snapped.
She grabbed my arm and dragged me upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside she closed the door, locked it, and cast a silencing spell on the room so that Krum wouldn't be able to hear what we were talking about.
"Sit down Harry." She said coolly but I remained standing and faced her face to face.
"You know if you wanted to get me in bed, you could have just said so." I said trying to crack a joke while I raised a flirtaous eyebrow at her at the same time and smirked. Hermione just stared at me in disbelief and in disgust.
"Harry I'm serious!" She said with a hint of anger in her voice.
Good going Harry. You've pissed her off. I thought to myself.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to upset you." I whispered in an apologetic tone and looked into her eyes. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"Harry what's wrong with you?" She asked with her eyes still closed. "Lately you've been acting really different."
"Is that a good thing or a bad-" I began but Hermione interrupted me and started to speak again.
"I mean when Viktor came, you suddenly became all mean and rude, but that's not the only time when you've become…not yourself."
What do you mean, I haven't been myself? The only time I've become different was when Krum came here, but I didn't say this. I just remained silent and gazed at her beautiful face.
"Harry… I noticed for the past few days or maybe even the past few weeks you've been acting somewhat different towards me." Hermione said in what seemed like an almost sad manner.
"Huh?" I said out loud, obviously confused.
"Harry I feel every time I'm alone with you it's like you want to tell or do something to me and that makes me sort of uncomfortable around you but…"
"Hermione how can you not feel comfortable around me!?" I bursted out loud. "We've been friends for such a long time, seven years to be exact and you can't even feel comfortable around me!"
Hermione's eyes shot open and I could see that they were red and filled with unshed tears. "That's why Harry!" She yelled. "Look at yourself. You're losing your temper over a simple discussion."
"Simple?" I yelled back at her. "Basically what you're saying is that you have a problem with me!"
"No, Harry that's not what I said!" Hermione said, still refusing to let her tears fall to her face. "I don't have a problem with you Harry. It's your attitude."
"Same difference." I said, my temper boiling.
"No. There's a big difference Harry. I know deep down inside you is the Harry I know and it's not the person right before my eyes."
"But I am myself Hermione!" I shouted.
"No you're not Harry, for one thing the Harry I know wouldn't be yelling at me nor would he act this way towards me."
"So how do you want me to act Hermione?" I bellowed.
"Not like the jerk that's in front of me, that's for sure! I don't even know who you are now… Do you know what forget what I said; I don't know you, at least not anymore." She said slowly with tears now coming down from her coffee brown eyes and turned her back on me.
That sentence stabbed my heart and soul like a thousands knives. If she wanted to kill me she sure did a good job doing it. I wanted to speak but I was speechless. Great Harry the girl of your dreams practically hates you. I thought bitterly and felt tears coming to the surface. Don't let her see you cry! I yelled at myself in my head. I can't handle this I have to get out of here, away from her.
I looked at her once more, her back was still turned towards me but I could tell she was crying even though she was silent because I could see her tears falling to ground. I couldn't stand the fact that I was the one who made her cry so I dashed out of her bedroom, and past Krum who was still covering his nose. I exited out of the portrait hole and into the deserted hallways.
I walked around the corridors not knowing what to do but I did know I needed to go somewhere where I could think but the question was where. Maybe the library, but no there might be people there. I thought long and hard about the perfect place to be alone at, when it hit me. I decided to go to secret spot. It was just a bit past the Quiditch fields, and up the mountains. But the great thing about it was the scenery, it viewed the entire lake and you could most of the school from there. Only one other person knew about the place besides me and fortunately it wasn't Hermione.
It took me about twenty minutes to walk to the spot and luckily no one was around the area to see where I was headed. Trees hid the spot and it wasn't very noticeable. Actually it was pretty ordinary, but once you were there you'd know it wasn't.
When I arrived there I took a look around to make sure no one followed me or if someone else had discovered this place but there was no one there except me. I sat down underneath a tree and closed my eyes. I breathed in deeply and exhaled out slowly and completely.
What am I going to do about the situation between Hermione and I? I thought. I really need to patch things up between the two of us and it hurts so bad that she doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore. I need help. I can't lose her, even though the way I feel about her is more than friendship, I just can't. I rather give up on any hope of us being together than losing my friendship with her. There's nothing in the world more important to me than her. I just want her…
"What should I do?!" I yelled out loud and heard my voice echo amongst the mountain walls.
"Harry?"
I turned my attention to the voice and sighed in relief.
"Hey Ginny." I said
"Hi Harry." Ginny responded. "You sound really frustrated."
"I am." I replied and signaled her to take a seat next to me.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Hermione and I had a fight."
"Then go make everything up with her."
"It's not that simple Gin."
"How so?"
"She doesn't want to have to do anything with me and she said she doesn't know me anymore." I said sadly.
"I'm sorry Harry. If there's anything I could do for you jut say the word." Ginny said sincerely.
"It's okay Gin. Just thanks for listening."
"Ok."
"So let's get a new subject. Umm… what are you doing up here Gin?" I asked.
"I just needed a place to think, you know how I suddenly became a seventh year and all." Ginny said.
"Ya. I know what you mean." I sad in sad tone but tried to cover it up with cheerful laugh.
"You're really down about what happened between you two." Ginny stated.
"Is that obvious?" I asked.
"Pretty much."
I grinned at her and laughed, I mean I really laughed. For next ten minutes or so we both remained quiet and just stared at the beautiful scenery. I continued to stare at the open lake with the moon shining freely on it when the reflection of moon shined into the water and bounced off it. The reflection shined onto Ginny and caught the corner of my eye.
I gazed at Ginny and admired how pretty she's become over the years. She's become a woman and I wonder why I never noticed how dazzling she looks. Maybe it was because I always saw her as Ron's little sister or maybe it was the fact that I was all over Hermione, but none of that mattered now. All that mattered was the present.
Well, if it is the present I might as in well take this opportunity to get to know Ginny a bit better. I built up my courage and slowly placed my left arm around her shoulder. I encouraged her to lean into me by giving her a slight shove with my hand that was wrapped around her, that it was okay. She hesitated at first but gave in and leaned against my chest. She felt so small around my arm and I too felt hesitant at first to lean against her but did it anyway. If someone who didn't know us, saw us like this they'd think Ginny and I were a couple in love but they'd be wrong. Ginny and I don't have those kinds of feelings towards each other but then again it would be nice to be loved in return, for once.
I laid in bed the next morning, and remembered what occurred the night before. Harry and I had a fight and I said I didn't know him, at least, not anymore. Why did I say such a stupid thing but he did deserve what I said, I suppose. He was acting like such a jerk when Viktor came…Oh. That's right Viktor did come last night and I recall that when Harry left he came into my bedroom after about twenty minutes. He saw me crying on my bed and tried to comfort me even after how Harry treated him. But then again that was Harry and not I. Viktor left after I told him I was okay and even after he left. I stayed up in bed waiting for Harry to come back. I wanted to talk things out with him but he never came back to the tower and I knew this `cause I'd just fallen asleep a little less than an hour ago but was woken up by my alarm clock.
Harry where are you? I wondered. I hope you didn't do anything stupid. But this thought made me even more worried so I rushed to get ready and immediately left for the Great Hall for breakfast. Mostly everyone was already there and I searched the Griffindor table for Harry but he wasn't there. I took a seat next to Lavender and asked her if she knew where Harry was.
"No. Why did something happen?" Lavnder questioned.
I told her everything, from when Viktor came to when we got into a fight and up until he never came back.
It's okay Hermione. He's probably just dawdling somewhere." Lavender said trying to cheer me up.
I nodded and smiled at her when I heard two sets of footsteps coming towards us. I turned around and saw Harry walking to us with Ginny just trailing behind him. They both had bits of leaves and twigs in their hair and their robes were both ruffled and a bit dirty. My smile turned upside-down into a frown at the sight of them.
Harry sat down next to Neville whom was on my right side and Ginny sat down next to Lavender who was on my left.
"Ginny where did you come from?" Lavender asked.
"Places." She answered.
"No really." Lavender said.
"Is my brother around?" Ginny asked while looking around the table.
"No." Lavender said. "He slept in."
"Okay then." Ginny said.
"So what happened?" Lavender demanded.
"We sort of slept together." Ginny said lowering her voice.
I started to panic and began to wonder why Harry had done such a thing even he isn't that irresponsible.
"You what?" Lavender squealed.
"Not the way your thinking Lavs. We didn't do anything bad we just fell asleep in each other's arms under the stars." Ginny responded.
"So that explains the leaves and twigs. You went with Harry to your secret hiding spot didn't you?" Lavender said.
They have a secret hiding spot? I thought.
"He was already there when I arrived. He was there thinking about-" Ginny stopped half way through her sentence and stared at me as if she just realized I was there.
"Umm…never mind." She mumbled under her breath.
I opened my mouth to speak to her but Malfoy came strolling towards our table. He looked so clean and formal like he always did and he glanced between Ginny and Harry.
"Fucked Weasley in the bushes. Didn't you Potter?" Malfoy said and laughed.
"Fuck off Malfoy!" Harry said coldly.
Malfoy began to wag his finger at Harry. "Tisk, tisk, Potter. You should watch your language."
"You should take your own advise Malfoy." Ginny said.
"Hey look Potter or should I say fucker. Your fuckee is trying to defend you. Aww… how sweet, it makes me sick." Malfoy said and spat saliva out onto the middle of the table.
"Just go away Malfoy." I said and narrowed my eyes at him.
"Jealous are you?" Malfoy replied. "You're jealous because Potter fucked Weasley, aren't you Granger."
I remained silent and stared at Malfoy with hatred. "I am not jealous Malfoy."
"Denial." Malfoy said. "I know you're jealous Granger, I could see it in your eyes."
"What you see in my eyes isn't jealously Malfoy, its hatred for you."
"That hurt Granger." Malfoy said. "You should be punished." He stuck out his wand at me and smirked.
I scowled at him when I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned around to face a familiar face.
"Viktor!" I said in surprise. " I didn't expect to see you."
"Neither did I." Malfoy said. He placed his wand back in his pocket and backed away from our table slowly. "Looks like your boyfriend came to your rescue."
He's not my boyfriend but I didn't say this but remained silent and just glared at Malfoy.
Malfoy turned his back on us and left us alone.
I exhaled in relief when I realized I had been holding my breath the whole time when Malfoy had threatened me with his wand. Luckily Vicktor came in the knick of time, and Harry and the others didn't do anything to help me out when Malfoy threatened me with his wand. Some friends I have.
I stood up from my seat and glanced around the table but I avoided Harry's gaze. I looped Vicktor's arm with mine and urged him to follow me.
"Lets go Viktor." I said. I turned my heel and dragged Viktor with me to go outside.
Once outside Viktor asked me what was wrong.
"Harry he-he…" I began.
"Vat happened? Did he do something to you after I left?"
"No. Its just he came in with Ginny this morning all…"
"You shouldn't let him bother you, Herm-own-ninny."
"I know it's just it really bothers me that he would do something like that to Ginny, I mean she's so young. I wouldn't think he would do such a thing and you know take advantage of her."
"He slept with her?" Viktor asked.
"Honestly I don't know, but it sort of seemed like he did."
"I didn't."
I turned around and saw Harry's eyes staring dangerously at me.
"Harry I…"
A/N: Ok sorry but that's the end of that chapter. Please don't get mad at me for leaving you hanging and please tell me if you think I'm going to fast with the story cause I'll slow it down or make a few changes for your likings. You can also e-mail me at Nekoi20@aol.com if you have any questions for me about the story or any thing else that's got you curious. Ok please be a responsible reader and review!
~Ayaka620