Broken
Chapter 3: The Confrontation
That same afternoon, the stranger fell asleep on Hermione's couch. He lay there peacefully and it made Hermione question his behavior, attitude, injuries and his mysterious eyes. Shaking those thoughts away, Hermione went to her room and decided she needed a well deserved nap. It was a weird day.
Hermione gazed at her beautiful ceiling, much like the one in Hogwarts but different as well. It was conjured to only show sceneries that matched her mood. The sky was midnight blue, stars and a hint of rain by the fluff clouds surrounding the sides. Hermione sighed. This man in her house aroused many strange feelings in her she never expected. Why was he hurt so badly, by who? Hermione couldn't let herself think of him any longer as she slowly counted the stars and drifted into sleep.
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He woke up in a sudden shock. Where am I? He glanced at his surroundings and realized. Her. He shifted his position to look up at the clock. 9 o clock. He decided that he needed fresh air and rose to his feet. The incredible pain he had been feeling left. As he waltzed half across the living room, he noticed a hall way. I should say thank you. With those intentions he walked through the hall, glancing at every door he came across.
Finally he made his way to last door which was ajar. I shouldn't enter. His feet carried him no matter what he thought and he looked at the body curled up in bed. Her hair was dangling in her face. She looks beautiful. Shaking his head in disbelief. She murmured and switched her position to face his direction. Her fair skin glistened in the moon light beaming through the window. Sinful thoughts came across his mind but quickly shrugged it off.
The young man brushed his hair back in frustration. I should leave before I cause problems. And with that he left the room where the young women lay asleep deep in a dream.
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Hermione woke up looking at the sun beaming in her face. Shit! I slept too long. Hermione raised herself and ran across the hall to the living room. The young man wasn't there but in his place was a parchment. She picked it up and looked at it.
Sorry for being rude earlier. I thank you for your help. Take care.
There was no signature which made her almost want to cry. Why do I care? Hermione took the note and through it in the trash. If only I knew his name. Hermione shook her head and slowly walked back to her room. She laid herself an outfit and took a quick shower. After she had brushed her hair and was clean she went back to her room to dress. She wasn't in the mood to look glamorous so she wore a black t-shirt and blue jean shorts.
An owl came through her window and threw parchment on the side of her bed. Hermione smiled at the owl and thanked her. The owl hooted and left through the same window. Hermione unwrapped the parchment and read the first one.
Dear Hermione,
We will be going to the game three days from today, so come as soon as possible. I'm not mad that you know about Ginny. I will soon live with you because Ron is causing more problems then ever. He's not even speaking to me no more. Anyways bye.
Love, Harry.
Hermione sighed and glanced at the other parchment. She unfolded it and read it too.
Hey, its okay you didn't say your fair wells. I miss you so much! I want you to come to the Burrow quick. Ron is acting like a jerk and I can't handle it. I explained to him that Dean and I are in love and happy and he can't change that. You can guess what he did. He ignored me and now he has something against Harry.
Love Ginny.
Hermione sighed and knew what she had to do. She grabbed her purse and slipped on runners. Then she quickly ran to the fire place and used the transportation of the Floo Network.
"BURROW!" Hermione shouted and within a second she was pulled into the fire and landed on the door step of the Weasley's home. Hermione could hear the familiar noises of the house and sighed. She gave the door one heavy knock.
Harry opened the door and smiled up at her as soon as he seen her face. "Hermione!" He hugged her and kissed her forehead before continuing. "Thank god you're here!" Harry took her arm and walked her inside the house.
Ginny was sitting on the couch reading when she looked up to see Hermione and Harry in arm. "Oh 'Mione! You made it!" Ginny took her around the arms and squeezed her. Hermione gasped for breath and smiled.
"You guys look like you've haven't seen me for years!" Hermione laughed then looked around the house. "Where's everyone?" Harry looked at Ginny and she laughed.
"The twins went with Dad to Europe. Ron is upstairs sulking and Mom went to buy something." Ginny said. Just then Ron came downstairs looking at Hermione angrily before sitting down on the couch and picking up a Quidditch Magazine. Hermione looked at Harry and Ginny giving them a sign that she needed to be alone with him. They both nodded and walked off.
Hermione sat down right next to Ron so that their thighs brushed against each other. Ron didn't look up and acted like he was reading the magazine. Hermione watched him for a few minutes and then embraced him in her arms.
"Ronald Weasley! Can't even say hi to me?" Hermione whispered his ear. Ron glared at her and shrugged her off. Hermione knew him well enough that he pouted over the smallest things. Hermione stared at his magazine then grabbed it from his hands.
"Give that back!" Ron yelled. Hermione smiled coyly.
"No." Hermione said. "Now that you are speaking to me. I want to know why you are being so cruel." Ron glared at her once more and dashed for his magazine. Hermione raised it above her head making sure he couldn't reach it. "Here me out." Ron sat back down and watched her observantly. As if that was a cue for her to continue and she did.
"Ron, please understand that we know where you're coming from. Harry and I would never have liked it as much as you if it had happened to our little sister... if we had one. But you got to understand the Ginny isn't a little girl. You can't always protect her..."
"The hell I can!" Ron rose to his feet in anger. "What makes you the expert on love Hermione Granger! How would you know if he doesn't just use her for her body!" Hermione thought about that back when Ginny had told her she made love to Dean but it suddenly erased from her mind when she saw the look Dean gave her whenever he saw her. They are in love.
"I am not an expert! I just know Dean really loves her. He won't cheat or hurt her or lie! I know that with all my heart! Please accept it." Hermione shouted back.
"No! I won't!" Ron said bitterly. "..I can't" He said calmly continued.
"At least its not anyone you hate! Dean is your friend and always will be and he knows better then to harm her." Hermione said softly. She moved closer to Ron and smiled at him. Ron looked at her with anger then he eased slowly and hugged her.
"I'm sorry for acting this way. It's just that...Its Ginny!" Ron muttered. Hermione hugged him back and barely whispered. "I know." Ron rose to his feet and glanced at the kitchen.
"I got to talk to her." Ron said. "I made a mess of things." Hermione smiled at him and let him walk off.
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After the blow out with Ron had ended the four had enjoyed each others company. They played chess and cards also went outside to ride their brooms. Hermione refused and said she'd rather watch them then join them but that didn't stop them from nagging her to join. Finally after what seemed like an hour of pleading she sat with Ron on his broom.
Hermione enjoyed the view and was enjoying herself. Ron wasn't fast or slow but she still held on to him for her dear life. After they spent hours flying around they decided to go and drink at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
When they had all reached there, a busy crowd of people were about. Finally settling at the back, they endlessly talking about Hermione's apartment and the up coming game until she mentioned the stranger.
"You let him in? I think that was rather stupid." Harry said. Hermione glared at him and he quickly added. "Why did you?"
"It's not like I can leave the poor guy on my doorstep in pain." Hermione fought back.
"I understand but he could have been dangerous." Ron said after quietly listening to Harry and Hermione.
"I know! But I'm not a little kid. I can handle myself." Hermione said. Harry nodded acknowledging her decisions.
"Its okay. He left thats all that matters." Harry smiled. He looked at Ginny who was quiet the whole time. She was watching her butter beer with a lot of concentration. Harry shook her and she quickly looked up forgetting where she was.
"What?" Ginny said clearly annoyed. Hermione knew automatically that she was in deep thought about Dean.
"Nothing." Harry said and changed the subject. "So what do you guys want to do?" He looked at Ron and Hermione. Ron looked up and smiled. Ginny muttered something none of them could hear and walked off. Ron kept his eyes on the door swing open then shut. Harry looked confused but shook the feeling off looking back at his friends.
"I want to go the candy shop. What bout you?" Ron looked back at Hermione.
"I want to check out the new book store. Magical Reading, I think thats what its called." Hermione smiled. Ron and Harry laughed.
"I can't believe you still want to read. Schools done!" Ron exclaimed.
"So? We still need to read. We got apprenticeships coming up soon." Hermione struck back. Ron and Harry gave each other glances.
"Hermione we don't have that for like another three months!" Harry said. Harry opened his mouth to say something else when he shut his mouth in frustration. Hermione had just gave him the-don't-be-smart-with-me look.
"Good." Hermione smiled. "I'll be going then. See you at the candy shop in an hour?" Hermione said looking at the clock. Both nodded their heads and cleared the table.
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Hermione took in the smell of the books she loved so much. There were a few customers and it was easy for her to find a quiet couch to sit down at. She opened the book that she had earlier found in the back and read the cover once more. The Magic In Love. Hermione couldn't remember why she had found this book interesting but she decided to read it anyways.
After reading the book for a few minutes someone tapped her shoulder. Hermione looked up and stared into the soft grey eyes that almost mesmerized her. The stranger smiled at her and sat next to her.
"Hello." He looked like he was in a good mood. His hair was almost covering his eyes and he wore white collar shirt with black pants. Hermione couldn't utter another word, she felt she was in trance by his beauty. He arched his eye brow and repeated himself. "Hello?" Hermione snapped back to reality and smiled.
"Hi." Hermione said blushing at the thoughts she had of him. He noticed the blush and smirked.
"How are you today?" He asked. Hermione closed the book she held in her hands.
"Fine. And you?" Hermione asked. He chuckled taking the book from her hands.
"I'm good, better then the mess you found me in the other day." He glanced at the books title and smiled. "Interested in love I assume." He said looking back at her with glint in his eyes. Hermione felt a clog in her throat. Why am I acting like this?
"Yes. You can say I am." Hermione replied slowly. The young man smiled, which was breath taking. All his features soften and Hermione wished that he would smile all the time.
"Well my lady. I may be able to show you, love or maybe even lust." He chuckled taking her hand into his. Hermione blushed at the gesture and his words. What is wrong with me?
"Maybe." Hermione said smiling back at him. He brushed his lips on the palm of her hand and rose to his feet. His lips felt so soft but Hermione was so caught up in the moment that she didn't notice him rise.
"My lady, good day." And with that he disappeared. Damn! Hermione was lost in his beauty that she never asked for his name. Hermione couldn't believe she had allowed him to flirt with her but she had and what was worse is they were complete strangers. Hermione sighed and picked up the book he left on the couch and went to the cashier to purchase it.