One More Chance
Chapter 3
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 3rd chapter. I finally have some free time on my hands cause spring break's out! Yup so what could I say… Oh! Thanks for the great reviews! I'm really glad you like my story but please continue to R&R cause I really like reading your comments about my story. Again I'd like to remind you that Harry has a bit of a temper at times so hopefully you'll bear with me, but in this chapter Harry's perspective changes a little… Okay, let's get the show on the road!
(Reminder: P.O.V. changes)
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I looked up into Harry's eyes and met his gaze, but he stared coldly at Viktor and me.
"Harry." I began but he interrupted me.
"Did you actually think I would take advantage of Ginny and sleep with her? You heard her yourself. We didn't do anything and here you are talking behind my back with him." Harry said.
"Harry you don't understand." I said.
"I understand perfectly, Hermione. You don't give a shit about me, that's what." Harry said and wore a silent mask.
How could Harry treat me like this? I thought. He's usually never like this.
"You're the one vho doesn't give a shit about Herm-own-ninny!" Viktor yelled.
I don't want Viktor to get involved in this. I thought and turned to face him.
"Viktor please let me handle this, I can do it." I whispered into his ear.
"But, Herm-"
"Please. Viktor, I can solve my own problems." I said and gave him a pleading look.
He smiled at me and nodded to say that he understood.
I beamed back at him and took a deep breath before turning to Harry. I met Harry's gaze but there was no emotion in his eyes or face.
"Harry, what do you mean I don't care about you? I mean how could you say that? We've been friends for seven years now and I would assume that our friendship is strong enough to surpass problems like these."
There was no reply from him. He just remained emotionless. His face remained blank and I searched his eyes for answers but all I could find was a lost stare.
"Harry after you left last night I waited for you. I wanted to talk things over, but you didn't come back." I said calmly. "Don't you see? I wanted to fix this little problem between us."
"Little?" Harry questioned.
His voice startled me. Something I said had struck a cord with him and brought him back to reality. His face was now filled with anger and at the same confusion.
"If I recall, last night you said you didn't know me anymore." Harry snapped.
I was shocked, not at him but at myself… Did I really say that to him last night? I questioned myself. Well, I mean I know I did, but I didn't think it would effect him that much. I said it in the spur of the moment and I thought he would forget about it or at least not take it seriously.
I looked at Harry but his expression had turned into a sad yet angry appearance.
"What you said to me last night, stabbed my heart and soul like a thousand knives and I was so hurt that you would say such a thing to me." Harry said as his features began to soften. " I felt that our friendship together was worth nothing to you, but one thing I 'd like to say to you is that I would never hurt you the way you've hurt me."
Silent tears fell from my eyes and I could feel myself shaking. He's still able to show me compassion even though I've put him through so much pain.
"Herm-own-ninny are you okay?" Viktor asked worriedly.
"I'm fine." I said and forced myself to stop crying. I must be strong. I can't let this get me down. I thought, and let one last tear fall from my eyes.
I turned my attention back to Harry and sighed.
"Hermione, last night I sought comfort and usually I would turn to you for it, but you were the one who caused me sorrow in the first place."
"Harry." I said.
"Please let me finish Hermione." Harry said in a calm tone, not raising his voice over mine.
I nodded my head and let him continue.
"I spoke to Ginny about our problem and of course she told me to make up with you, but I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Last night I sorted out my feelings for you, about us and I know you don't share the same feelings as I do for you."
You're wrong. I thought. Harry I do care for you the same way you do for me, but I did not say this because I realized that Viktor was still there and I didn't exactly want to proclaim my love for Harry in front of him.
When I thought Harry was finished talking I opened my mouth to speak, but I heard his voice once more.
"I know that our relationship will never be the same after what happened last night, and I understand why."
"What?" I murmured in confusion.
"Hermione, haven't you been listening? I know we'll always be friends but I know, and I know you do too, that we'll never be more than that."
"Harry no! You don't know what you're saying." I said and walked up to him. Tears fell from my eyes as he embraced me in a hug, in his arms. I began to pound his chest in anger, but I knew it wasn't hurting him one bit. Harry grabbed my arms to stop me from pounding him and gently leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I saw Viktor's face become jealous but I didn't care. I only wanted Harry.
Harry lifted my chin and made me face him. "I know you're angry with me right now and I'm sorry that I made you feel this way, but…"
"Stop pushing me away Harry, I know you care for me." I said in between small sobs.
"Yes. I do care for you Hermione, you might even say I love you." Harry said and I smiled at this comment.
"but just as a friend and nothing more." he said finishing his sentence.
I stared at Harry in disbelief, and tried to meet his gaze but he avoided me.
"It's not true." I stated.
"But it is." Harry said in an almost what sounded like a regretful tone.
"But Harry last night on the couch and at the beach, you were staring at me with such affection, I know you were feeling love or something of that sort."
"Yes it may be true." Harry said and I looked up at him searching for any kind of hope. "But now that is untrue."
"Harry, what are you trying to say?" I choked out.
"That-That I don't love you any more."
Harry stood there and stared into my coffee brown eyes, looking for ways to explain this to me.
"I mean, I'll always love you as a friend… but if we were to become something much more it would be great, but what if it didn't work out. Would you hate me then? Honestly I prefer not to find out. I don't want to destroy our friendship and I would rather have you as a friend than one not at all."
I was unable to speak and stepped back out of Harry's grasp. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to meet a pair of emerald green eyes. He gazed at me apologetically and turned my body towards him.
I pushed Harry away from me and just stood there glaring at him. We held each other's gaze for a few more moments before he dropped his head in defeat and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry." he mumbled and walked away.
A few minutes passed before I was able to regain my composure. I let everything Harry said to me sink in and saddened at the thought, that I knew I wasn't the person Harry loves anymore.
Viktor walked up from behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders and began to rub my shoulders to try to comfort me.
"I'm sorry Herm-own-ninny. Is there any vay I can help you, cause if there is I'll do it." Viktor said.
"It's okay Viktor. I think I just need time to think and be alone for awhile." I said in low tone.
"Viktor I think I'll be heading to class now." I said and avoided looking into his eyes. I didn't want him to see the sadness in my eyes.
"Of course." he said and walked away.
I went to Potions II in a slow pace because I knew Harry would be there. I remember last year when Harry was so surprised that he had gotten into Potions II, because he thought he surely failed the O.W.L.S. test for it. I smiled to myself despite the way I was feeling, when I recalled the face he had on when he found out he passed.
I sighed and continued my journey to Potions class.
I sat down at the second to the last row and placed all of my belongs on the table in front of me.
I breathed in deeply and exhaled out when I felt a light brush against my arm. I looked up and saw Ginny staring down at me.
"Hi Harry." Ginny said. "May I sit next to you?"
"Course." I replied.
Ginny cautiously took a seat next to me and placed all her belongings on the table just as I did.
"You, know there's been rumors about us going around all morning." Ginny said a bit embarrassed yet sad at the same time.
"Yeah. But you shouldn't let that get you down especially when you know the rumors about us aren't true."
"You're right." Ginny said happily.
A few more minutes passed and we continued our conversation, but occasionally we would get glances from students that passed our table.
After a few more minutes, I started to become annoyed of all the people looking at us. It was like they were waiting for Ginny and me to do something extreme or nasty. What do they think this is? A live porn show or something!
My temper began to boil and Ginny could see that I was, even though I was the one who told her to keep her cool. The people around us continued to watch even though I was glaring at each and every one of them.
"Just relax Harry." Ginny whispered into my ear.
I nodded my head and gave her half a smile but when I saw Hermione walk past us, I lowered my head and tried my best not to glance at her.
Ginny shook her head in confusion at my actions.
"Harry?" Ginny said quietly.
"Hmm." I replied without lifting my head to look at her.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
I didn't answer her and just remained silent.
Ginny leaned into me and I felt her hot breathe on my skin. The people who were watching us, including Hermione, tensed up.
"Does this have anything to do with Hermione?" Ginny whispered into my ear, before going back to her original sitting position.
I slightly nodded at her and continued to look down at the ground.
"Tell me about it." Ginny said and at the same time she grabbed my hand to comfort me. My hand was lying onto of the table, and when she held my hand everyone saw it.
Hermione who watched this happen turned around and faced the front when she saw Ginny hold my hand. She was obviously hurt by this. I'm sorry Hermione. I thought sadly.
"I'll tell you later Gin, but not now okay?" I said in a low voice.
She nodded and at the same time let go of my hand.
"Sure Harry." Ginny said with a grin and turned in her seat to face the front.
I exhaled out loud, when Snape came bursting into the classroom.
"Quiet class." Snape said.
He stood at the front of the classroom and glanced at everyone.
"As all of you seventh years know. This year the N.E.W.T.S. will be taken a bit earlier than expected. I have only one month to prepare you all for the test, so the next few weeks will be quite rough, if I don't say so myself.." Snape said and smirked evilly. "This means you must concentrate, and pay attention in class if you want pass your N.E.W.T.S."
"Today we will be working on an invisibility potion. Who knows if on the island you might need to become invisible from dangerous events…"
Hermione rose her hand in the air and Snape called upon her.
"Professor, are you trying to say that we will be using potions on the island?" She asked.
"That is what I just said Ms. Granger." Snape said coldly.
Hermione frowned at the way Professor Snape answered her and turned her attention away from him in anger.
"But how?" Neville said out of the blue.
"Five points from Gryffindor, for Mr. Longbottom, who spoke without permission." Snape snapped.
Neville squirmed from Snape's reaction and shrunk in his seat in embarrassment.
I watched as Ginny frowned, who was worried about how Neville was being teased. She glared at Snape and shot her hand into the air.
"Yes Ms. Weasley?" Snape said.
"How do we use the potions on the island?" Ginny snapped.
Snape eyed Ginny but answered her question.
"You see Ms. Weasley. The potions you make here in class for next few weeks, will be allowed to be used on the island."
"You mean the potions we make here will be used on the island, so that we'll be graded on how well we use them over there." Malfoy interrupted.
"Precisely Mr. Malfoy." Snape said and smirked. "On the island you will have your potions with you, and during some events there, you may need to use them. And depending on how well you use your potion during that event, is how you will be graded."
When Snape finished speaking everyone furiously began to whisper to each other.
"Quiet!" Snape yelled and with that the entire classroom became silent. "Now! I want you all to partner up."
I turned to my side and faced Ginny to ask her to be my partner, but I felt Snape watching my every movement. Before I opened do my mouth to speak, I heard Snape call out my name.
"Mr. Potter! It seems to me that you were about to ask Ms. Weasly to be your partner." Snape said coolly.
"So what if I am?" I challenged Snape.
He smirked at me and spoke. "We can't have that now? Now could we? Who knows if the two of you might do something inappropriate."
I glared at Snape but said nothing.
"I want you to pair up with Ms. Granger." Snape said.
I watched as Hermione's eyes widened at Snape's demand and spoke to him.
"But Professor, I already have a partner." Hermione argued.
"I didn't ask you if you had a partner Ms. Granger. I want the two of you to pair up now, and besides the two of you are Head Boy and Head Girl you should set a good example for your fellow classmates." Snape said.
"Yes Professor Snape." Hermione replied back.
"Good. Now the two of you get to work." Snape snapped.
After Snape finished speaking, I walked up to Hermione and found her already working on the potion without me.
"Hermione." I began but she interrupted.
"Go chop up the rabbit's foot." Hermione said without looking up from the table.
"Okay." I replied reluctantly.
Throughout the whole class period, Hermione and I remained silent and only spoke if it was related to the subject of the potion.
In the last few minutes before class finished, I tried to strike up a conversation but was answered only by her voice interrupting me again.
"Harry if you don't mind I rather not speak right now, but mostly not to you."
I felt my heart squeeze at this comment but I knew what I said to her earlier had hurt even more so I just remained silent for the remainder of the class.
During lunch and dinner Hermione avoided me, and I wouldn't blame her, I would avoid myself after what I said. Luckily nobody noticed that there was a sort of rift between us, maybe except for Ginny and Krum. But then again, I also have a right to be mad at Hermione. She said she didn't want to have anything to do with me but she also did try to make everything right between us. Bloody hell! I'm getting myself so confused. I need time to think by myself. I thought.
I stood up from the table and told everyone I would be going to my dormitory. I left the Great Hall in a rush and soon found myself in front of Head Boy and Head Girl, portrait hole entrance. I mumbled the password to the painting and walked into the common room.
I stood there for a second, considering relaxing and thinking in front of the fireplace but then I soon realized Hermione would be coming up here any minute from dinner. So I decided to go up to my own room and think.
I stalked up the stairs to my room and once inside I undressed and just remained in my boxers as my attire for bed.
I sighed when I heard a door shut and realized Hermione had arrived. What am I going to do? I thought desperately to myself.
I stepped back and laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling above me. I closed my eyes and began to reminisce in this morning's events.
*Flashback*
"Harry, what are you trying to say?" Hermione chocked out.
"That-That I don't love you anymore."
*End of flashback*
"That's a lie." I said to myself and drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: That's the end of the chapter and I know, you're wishing right now that, I would hurry up and post up the next chapter…If you send me a lot of reviews telling me to hurry and post up the next chapter.. I just might…haha ::Wink:: I know this chapter seemed kind of brief and I would like to apologize for that… and Oh! Before I forget; did you notice the little hint at the end, about Harry feels, or how he still feels about Hermione? I bet you did. Okay now please be a responsible reader and review.
~Ayaka620