One More Chance
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. That honor belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: I'm very sorry about the late update. I had Finals and had computer problems, so I hope you except my apology. Oh and thank you for all the great reviews!! Okay now here is the fourth chapter. (Reminder: P.O.V. changes)
I was awoken by a knock on my door. I groaned and placed my pillow over my head. I heard another set of knocks a few seconds later, but they soon began to fade.
A couple of minutes had past, when I felt a slight shake on my shoulders.
"Harry?" A voice said.
I took the pillow off my head and slowly opened my eyes, but saw a blurry image. I searched for my glasses, unable to locate it on my desk. I felt for my glasses but was only met by a soft hand, and flinched at the touch of it.
Whose hand is that? I wondered.
The person's hand I touched, handed me my glasses and I quickly placed them on. My vision instantly became clear and the first thing I saw were a pair of coffee brown eyes staring down at me intently. This intense stare shot chills down my spine and I automatically shivered.
"Umm..." I murmured and continued to take in the beautiful features in front of me. I gazed at the person's face, which had light fair skin, full luscious lips, a perfect nose, long, curly, auburn hair and those intense coffee eyes.
"Hermione?" I questioned and gazed longingly into her eyes.
She nodded and hesitantly gave me a small unconfident smile. I grinned back and continued to look at her not wanting to break our gaze. I slowly got off the bed and stood up but she immediately dropped her head and blushed. I stood there in confusion when I remembered I only wore my boxers and also began to blush.
My face turned into a deep crimson color, as did Hermione's as we locked up at each other.
I opened my mouth to speak but her voice filled the room instead.
"I came in here to remind you that tonight we have our 1st premise watch at 9:30 and it is currently 9:15 so I suggest you get ready." Hermione said, her face no longer red and abashed.
"Okay." I said calmly and she left my room.
I sighed the moment she was no longer there and plopped back onto my bed. I closed my eyes and took a breath. I held my breath for a few seconds before releasing it and repeated this process for the next minute or so.
Why do I have to feel this way? I thought. Why do I have to love her so damn bloody much! God!
I jumped up in frustration and punched the wall next to me. I made a small dent in the wall and my knuckles began to bleed.
That was brilliant. I thought sarcastically to myself.
I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. I sat on the floor and examined my injured hand. It throbbed in pain as I attempted to make my hand into a fist, and blew on it at the same time to ease the stinging pain. I leaned my head back and pounded it against the wall.
Why did I tell her I didn't love her any more? I questioned myself and let the thought sink in deeper. I pounded my head again and sighed.
"Because I don't want to hurt her." I whispered to myself, answering my own question.
I slowly lifted myself off the floor with one hand, using the desk as support.
I walked into the bathroom and turned on the sink faucet. I let the water run for a few seconds, letting it warm up. I placed my hand under the warm, running water and the instant the water touched my open wombs, it stung even more but relief soon washed over me.
After I cleaned my hand, I turned the faucet off and wiped my hand in a towel, removing the excess blood from my knuckles.
I stepped out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom and got ready. I grabbed my robes and Head Boy pin, as I headed out the door and into the common room.
Hermione sat by the fireplace, where she waited patiently. I stood there and gazed at her while she stared longingly into the fire, not noticing I was there. She seemed at peace but cleared my throat to grab her attention.
She immediately snapped her head back, as if she were in a trance, and stood up.
I wonder what she was thinking about? I questioned suspiciously but my thoughts were interrupted by her voice.
"Ready Harry?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Yes." I replied.
"Good. Then lets get going shall we?" Hermione said.
I nodded and followed her out of the portrait hole and into the deserted hallways. We remained silent as we continued to walk the empty corridors.
I slipped my robes on and attempted to put my Head Boy badge on, but my hand could barely make a grip, and dropped it in my attempt.
Hermione bent over and picked it up. She insisted that she put it on me because she could longer watch me make a fool of myself, trying to put on a simple pin.
I thanked her once she finished and again, an awkward silence fell over us.
I breathed in deeply and absent-mindedly ran my injured hand through my hair.
I cringed in pain and unfortunately Hermione took note of it.
"What's wrong Harry?" She asked.
"Nothing." I replied.
"It doesn't seem like it."
"But I am." I said and stared into her eyes.
"I don't believe you." She said and dropped our gaze.
"Trust me. It's nothing." I stated.
A few seconds had past before either of us dared to meet each other's eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak, but only heard Hermione's voice.
"The last time," She said slowly. "The last time I trusted you, you broke my heart."
I looked down but lifted my head back up.
"Look Hermione." I started but she interrupted me.
"No, you look Harry. I know you don't love me anymore and none of that matters anymore. I've accepted the fact that we'll be nothing more than friends." She said calmly.
Hermione searched my eyes and smiled at me.
"I understand now." She said, but I didn't notice the tear that rolled down her cheek, as she spoke.
Hermione turned her back on me and walked away.
I stood there in the empty corridors and watched her walk ahead of me. I sighed and nodded my head.
She finally accepts it. I thought and followed her along.
Two weeks had past since Hermione and I had the conversation about our relationship and everything had been fine so far. We both have been carrying out our duties and we still have spent a great deal of time with one another but there was this rift between the two of us...
I sat down in the Great Hall with Ron on one side and Ginny on the other. We were having our daily routine when Hermione came running towards us.
She had a look of excitement but at the same time a look of seriousness, on her face.
"Harry." She gasped, still a bit out of breath.
"Yes?" I said.
"Harry!" She said again and looked into my eyes.
"Yes, Hermione?" I repeated.
"Professor Dumbledore has just informed me that we are leaving tonight." Hermione answered.
"Leaving where?" I questioned.
"To the island, for our N.E.W.T.S. of course." She replied excitedly.
"We're what!?" Both Ron and I said at the same time.
Hermione shook her head and answered, "Honestly how can the two of you not be excited about the N.E.W.T.S."
"You still haven't answered our question." Ron said annoyingly.
"Oh, Ron this doesn't concern you, unless-"
"Unless what?" Ron demanded.
"Unless Harry chooses you." Hermione said.
"Choose me for what?" Ron asked, who was very confused.
"You see Ronald. Harry and I must go to the island tonight, along with Professor Dumbledore."
"But why?" Ron asked.
"I'm not allowed to discuss those terms with you Ronald." Hermione stated.
"Discuss my arse." Ron said and glared at Hermione.
"Oh, please Ronald stop acting so adolescent." Hermione snapped.
"She's right Ron. You should stop being a child and grow up." Ginny chipped in.
Ron now turned his attention to Ginny and glared at her but she simply rolled her eyes in response.
Ron glanced at me for support but I signaled that I didn't want to get involved in their feud and gave him a little grin. He scowled at me and mumbled something under his breath about me not supporting him when it came to arguing with the girls.
I smiled again and stood up.
"Let's go Hermione. We should go somewhere to talk in private." I said and she nodded approvingly to my idea.
She stood up and followed me out of the Great Hall.
"Where do you want to speak at?" I questioned.
"Any where will do." She replied.
I nodded and suggested we go to our dorm.
"That'll do." She said.
I lead the way back to our dormitory and once inside she exploded.
"Harry!" She yelled.
"Yes." I replied.
"This is so exciting!"
"What's so exciting Hermione?" I questioned.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
"Harry." She began. "We're leaving tonight to the island."
"But why?" I asked. "We still have two weeks to prepare for our exams, and I need the time to study a bit more."
"Honestly Harry, do you actually think I would believe you when you say that you're going to study." Hermione said and smirked.
"For one thing Hermione I'm not Ron." I stated and she smiled at this comment. "And I have you to help me."
After this last comment she looked down and blushed.
I think she took it the wrong way. I thought. I don't want to hint that I still have feelings for her. Great, this exactly what I didn't want to happen because she's moved on...
"Umm..." I murmured.
Hermione looked up and grinned.
"It's okay Harry. I know what you meant. We're just friends right?" She said and smiled again.
"Yeah. Definitely." I said but in my head I was yelling "NO!" Yet at the same time I thought that this is the way it's meant to be. We're meant to be friends and nothing more.
"Okay. Now back to what we were discussing." Hermione said. "We are to leave tonight to the island."
"But why so urgent?" I interrupted.
Hermione sighed and stared deeply into my eyes. "Honestly Harry, Dumbledore hasn't even told me why? All he said was that we were going to receive extra training at the island but he hasn't told me why we need the training."
"Training?" I questioned.
"Yes training. Which leads me to the next piece of information I need to inform you about."
"What?"
"Dumbledore said we both need a partner for training. He also said that we could choose our own partner."
"But what about us?"
"What about us?" Hermione said and raised a curious eyebrow at me, which made my cheeks flush slightly.
"Umm..." I stammered. "I mean to say we're Head Boy and Head Girl. Don't you think we should be partners?"
Hermione shrugged her shoulders, but grinned and said "Yes I know, but Dumbledore said that we both should have a partner. But he hasn't given me the reason why."
I nodded and glanced at Hermione but she immediately looked down to avoid my eyes.
We remained silent for a bit until Hermione broke the silence.
"I'm going to invite Ginny." Hermione stated.
"Ginny?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm going to invite Ginny. What about you, are you going to invite Ron?"
"I am but I don't know if he'd want to go, especially the way he reacted earlier."
Hermione half smiled and turned around. She began to walk toward the staircase but, stopped, then turned back to me and spoke.
"I'm going to get packed and I think you should too."
"Ok." I answered and also began to walk toward the staircase, where Hermione still stood.
I stopped walking and offered her to walk up first. She agreed and went ahead. I followed after her and when we reached the top, she told me we would meet in half an hour at the common room.
I gave her the thumbs up and she nodded at me and went into her room.
Less than half an hour later I sat down on the couch in the common room, where I waited for Hermione to come.
A few minutes later I finally saw Hermione at the top of the staircase. She carried a back -pack, two large textbooks and was followed by her levitating trunk.
As she descended the stairs, I stood up from my seat and watched as she walked down the stairs but she missed the final step. I rushed over to her and caught her before she hit the ground. I held her for a bit longer than necessary but didn't realize it until she started to push away from me.
I stood there as my cheeks turned slightly pink, as did Hermione's.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to," I began but she interrupted me.
"There's no reason for you to apologize. You saved me from falling."
"I meant about holding you." I murmured softly.
Hermione looked up into my eyes sadly and sighed quietly.
"You don't need to apologize about that either." She said in barely a whisper and turned her back on me.
My eyes widen a bit from her comment and I cautiously took a step towards her. I placed my hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear; "Hermione are you really over us?"
There was no response from her, so I turned her around to face me, but she stared down at the ground. I lifted her chin and gazed into her face. There were tears in her eyes and they were slowly making their way down her cheeks.
"Hermione?" I questioned and continued to stare at her.
"No." She said.
"No?" I repeated.
"No. I'm not over us Harry." She said gently and returned my gaze.
I kept Hermione at arm's length and stepped closer to her, our faces inches apart from each other. I stared sincerely into her eyes and caressed her cheek. She smiled through tears and held my hand, which was still on her cheek. I leaned into her and met her lips with mine for the first time.
I deepened the kiss and slowly pulled her closer to me but I could feel her resisting my actions. I ignored this and continued to kiss her, but with more aggression. I felt her giving into the kiss but again she resisted and this time completely stopped. She slightly pushed me away and stared into my eyes.
"Harry I can't do this." She whispered in an almost regretful tone.
"Hermione what's wrong?" I said, confused.
"Harry I love you, but we can't be together." She said.
"What! Why can't we be together?" I bellowed and felt my own set of tears coming to the surface.
"Harry I'm so sorry but we missed our chance." Hermione said through more tears.
"What do you mean we missed our chance?" I said.
"Harry we had our chance to be together but we didn't act on it."
"We still have a chance Hermione!" I yelled.
"No we don't Harry."
"But I love you Hermione. Won't you give me One More Chance?" I said and sighed.
"I've already given you so many chances before Harry. We've both given each other so many chances before and we kept messing up."
"Aren't we allowed to make mistakes Hermione?" I said. "I'm not perfect and you should know that."
"Of course I know that you're not perfect Harry, I'm not either."
"Then my can't we erase our mistakes and start over Hermione?" I said.
"Because it's too late Harry." Hermione answered.
"Why is it to late Hermione? I want to understand why." I shouted and glared at her.
Hermione looked at me and took a deep breath and said, "Because I'm with Viktor..."
"You're what?" I breathed out.
"Harry I meant to tell you sooner but,"
"But what Hermione?!" I yelled.
"Harry please stop yelling." She said calmly.
"Do you know what Hermione? The reason I didn't want to be with you before was because I didn't want hurt you again and the funny thing is you're the one who hurt me this time... again." I said.
"Harry it was never my intention to hurt you and I thought I was over you, but I just couldn't get you out of my mind. And I still can't get you out of my mind." Hermione said and sighed. "Harry I don't like it when we constantly fight like this. It's too much."
Hermione glanced at me but I had an angry expression on my face.
We remained silent for a few more minutes until I spoke.
"Maybe you're right Hermione." I said coldly. "We shouldn't be together."
"Harry..." She murmured as tears ran down her face.
"No Hermione. You said it yourself we can't be together. I guess we're just not meant not be." I said.
"Harry." She repeated but I interrupted her again.
"Hermione I've only truly loved one person in my life, and I always thought I was meant to be with this person for the rest of my life, but I thought wrong." I said and glared into her eyes.
She held my gaze as long as she could until she could no longer and finally broke down. I stared down at her harshly as she cried and turned my back on her and walked away.
I sat on the ground and continued to cry my eyes out like a little child. I didn't have enough energy to get up so I just sat there as I whimpered.
It took me several minutes to settle myself down and to regain my composure. I stood up and used the staircase rail for support to help me up.
Harry...I thought. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner because if I did, maybe we could have avoided this.
I sighed and picked up all of my processions off the floor, which I dropped when Harry...when Harry kissed me. I touched my lips and remembered how it felt when he had kissed me. When Harry kissed me it was something I never felt before. I can't even describe it. I thought.
I shook my head and said to myself; "I can't think about Harry. I have to get over him. I'm with Viktor now."
After I re-gathered my belongings I left the common room and headed for Griffindor Tower.
Once I arrived in front the Griffindor portrait hole I mumbled the password, which I got from Ginny and entered.
I searched for Ginny and found her sitting on the couch in the common room, alone.
"Ginny." I gasped and took a seat next to her.
"Hermione what's wrong? I saw you just a bit over an hour ago. What happened?" Ginny said and glanced at me. "Have you been crying?"
I nodded and leaned my head on her shoulder. She patted my back as tears began to leak through again.
"Tell me what happened." She said.
"Harry and I had another fight." I sobbed through tears.
"Harry?" Ginny questioned.
"Yes." I answered.
"But I thought the two of you were fine."
"We were. But everything just spilled out."
"You told him about Viktor didn't you?" Ginny asked.
I nodded again and sniffed my nose.
"Don't worry about it Herm. Just give him some time and he'll come around."
"But you don't understand Gin, you should have seen him. He went mad." I stated.
"He was just over reacting."
"He was pretty hurt." I said.
"And so were you." Ginny pointed out.
I looked down and nodded my head.
"You really need to move on Herm, especially when you're already with Viktor."
"I know but,"
"But nothing Hermione. If you want your relationship with Viktor to work out, you have to get Harry out of your system."
"Yeah." I replied and remained quiet for a minute but broke the silence with a different topic. "Okay Gin. I also came her to invite you to come with me to the island."
"For the N.E.W.T.S.?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Of course." I said. "Why would I joke about such a thing?"
"Yes I know, but you want me to go?" Ginny asked.
"Of course! I need my best friend there to help me out."
"Okay I will." Ginny said and grinned.
"Good then go get packed." I said excited and no longer sad.
Ginny smiled again and jumped up from the couch.
"You have to help me pack!" She said.
I laughed and said; "Ok."
Ginny and I spent the rest the afternoon packing and having more quality time until it was time to meet Professor Dumbledore.
We arrived at exactly 7:30pm at Professor Dumbledore's office. And to our surprise Harry was already there with Professor Dumbledore, waiting.
"Did we keep you waiting long Professor?" I questioned.
"Not at all Miss Granger, and Harry had arrived just before you did so I'd say you're right on time."
I grinned and walked towards him.
"I assume that you invited Miss Weasley to accompany you on the trip." Dumbledore said and pointed to Ginny.
"Yes sir I have." I said.
"Good. Well Harry has informed me that he has invited Mr. Weasley." Dumbledore said.
"Yes I did invite him sir but he said no." Harry replied. "I suppose he wanted more time to study."
"My brother never studies." Ginny declared.
Dumbledore chuckled and spoke; "That's fine Harry. I have a substitute for your partner since Mr. Weasley cannot make it."
"You do?" Harry questioned.
"Yes. Mr. Krum will be accompanying us, and I informed him that if one of your partners didn't make it he would be the substitute. Is that fine with you Harry?" Dumbledore said and grinned.
Harry narrowed his eyes in disgust but covered up his expression and answered; "Yes sir."
"Very well. He should be arriving anytime now." Dumbledore said.
A few minutes had past, when we heard a set of footsteps coming towards us. I turned around and saw Viktor standing there.
"I'm sorry I'm late Professor." Viktor apologized.
"It's fine Viktor." Dumbledore answered.
Viktor nodded and stood next to me. He whispered hello in my ear and gave me a small kiss on the cheek.
I saw Harry's body tense over this and he glared coldly at the two of us.
I frowned and kissed Viktor back, which seemed to make Harry even angrier.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and turned our attention back to him.
"As you know we're going to the island for training." Dumbledore said.
"Sir why do we need the training?" I questioned.
"Because we need to prepare the four of you?"
"For what?" Harry asked.
"Harry, Voldermort has been spotted and we need to prepare you for the worst. We need to prepare all of you."
"Are we the only ones who will be getting the extra training?" Ginny asked.
"Yes. If anything happens on the island the four of you will be the ones to help the others out." Dumbledore said.
"Who will be training us?" Harry questioned.
"Some members of the Order of the Phoenix will be training the four you, myself included. We'll be giving extremely hard training for the next two weeks. Can the four of you handle it?" Dumbledore asked seriously.
"Yes." All of us answered.
Dumbledore smiled and spoke again. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." We all answered again but I brought up one more question.
"Sir?" I said.
"Yes Hermione?" Dumbledore said.
"Where is the island?"
"You know of the Bermuda Triangle correct?"
"Yes." I replied. "But whenever a ship enters the area it disappears."
"Precisely. The reason ships disappear there is because it has a magical border around it. Every time a ship enters the border, the ship is transported to a different region and most of the time causes the ship to be lost at sea forever, but of course we save the muggles but erase their memory of what they've seen of the magical world." Dumbledore said. "Inside the Bermuda Triangle is dozens of islands, a sort of get away for people of our world."
"I understand." I said.
"Very well. Now are we ready to leave?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir." Ginny, Viktor and I responded.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked and looked at him.
Harry had no emotion on his face. He looked like an empty shell; he seemed so lost and confused.
"Harry?" Dumbledore repeated.
Harry shook his head and stared at Dumbledore.
"Yes I am." He said.
Dumbledore sighed feeling satisfied and lead us to a table where a straw hat laid.
"Please hold onto the hat." Dumbledore said.
"A portkey sir?" Viktor asked.
Dumbledore nodded and gestured us to grab the hat.
We did as we were told and in a matter of seconds Dumbledore's office became a blurry image. It turned into a sandy beach and there were palm trees in every direction.
"Please wait here." Dumbledore said and apparated away.
"Wow." I murmured and looked around. "It's beautiful."
"Yes this place is beautiful." Viktor said and stood next to me. "But not as beautiful as you." Viktor whispered into my ear and kissed my neck.
Harry watched as this happened and strolled over to us. He glared at Viktor first then me. As he glared at me his green eyes darkened, and were filled with hate.
"Vat do you vant Harry?" Viktor said and stepped in front of me to face Harry.
Harry said nothing but continued to stare at me with hate.
"I asked you a question Harry." Viktor said in a harsh tone.
Harry now looked up at Viktor and stepped closer to him. Their faces were inches apart and they glared at each other with hatred.
Harry stepped back, as did Viktor but Harry moved in front of him again and this time bringing a fist to Viktor's face.
Viktor staggered back, his nose now bloody and red.
"Viktor." I yelled and ran to his side. "Harry what's wrong with you?" I said and shoved him back.
Harry did nothing but step back after I shoved him.
"Harry answer me! What's wrong with you?!" I shouted.
Harry just stood there with no expression on his face. No sympathy, no anger, no hate, nothing at all. He turned around and walked away but I followed after him.
"Harry!" I yelled but he did nothing. He just continued to walk away.
I ran ahead of Harry and blocked his way. He stopped in front of me but didn't look up at me.
"Harry look at me!" I demanded but he continued to look at the ground.
My anger overwhelmed me and before I knew what I was doing, my hand slapped his face.
Harry stumbled back from my blow and I took his face in my hands and looked him in the eyes.
His eyes were watery with unshed tears and his face was red from my slap.
"Harry?" I said in disbelief and held onto his arm but he pushed me away.
Harry stalked away but I didn't go after him because I was still in disbelief of what I just saw.
He was about to cry. I thought.
Ginny came up to me and asked where Harry was going.
I didn't respond.
"Someone should talk to him." Ginny said. "I'll go follow him."
I nodded in agreement and she smiled at me as she turned to go after Harry.
I sat on the sand alone for a few minutes when I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to meet Viktor's eyes. He was still a mess but held me in a hug. I cried silently into his chest and he patted my back to comfort me."It's okay. I'm here for you." Viktor whispered into my hair. I nodded my head and we sat there on the sand for next fifteen minutes or so, when I heard a cough. Dumbledore stood there and smiled at me, and by this time my eyes were no longer red.
I got up and faced him.
"Where are Miss Weasley and Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Umm..." I mumbled but Viktor interrupted me and answered the question for me.
"They vent to search the island sir. Vould you like me to look for them." Viktor said.
"Yes if you don't mind. I need all of you here because I need to tell you something important."
Viktor shook his head yes and spoke; "Then I'll go find them."
"Very good." Dumbledore replied.
Viktor began to walk away but I chased after him.
"Yes?" He said.
"Let me look for them Viktor." I said.
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Please Viktor if you care for me, you'll let me do this. I really need to talk to Harry." I said.
"Okay." He said but looked reluctant.
I smiled at him and walked away in search for Ginny and Harry.
I followed two sets of footsteps in the sand for about ten minutes and these footsteps lead into a small forest. I continued to follow the footprints but they began to fade because the land turned from mud to gravel.
I heard crashing water in the distant and soon found myself in front of a beautiful waterfall. I searched for Ginny and Harry and found them sitting next to each other on a ledge next to the water.
They were deep in a conversation and didn't seem to have noticed me come. I remained quiet and hid behind a near by bush and listened to their conversation.
"It's just so hard Ginny." Harry said.
"I know it is Harry but you have to let go of her and open your eyes to world around you."
"But my eyes are open Gin, and all I see is Hermione."
"Harry you are so blind."
"What does that mean?" Harry questioned.
"I mean you're so blind that you can't see that there's a person in front of you who,"
"Who's what?"
"Who loves you." Ginny said and reached for his hand.
"Do you mean- do you mean, you..." Harry stuttered.
"I love you Harry." Ginny said and gazed deeply into his eyes.
"Ginny...I don't know," Harry began but was cut short when Ginny met his lips with hers...
A/N: Yes that's the end of the chapter and even I'm speechless about what happened...Hehe. Okay well I hope to see all of you in the next chapter and please don 't be angry with me. Oh and please be a responsible reader and review.
Ayaka620